Geothermal training helps co-op educate members

Josh Schaffner, member services assistant at Capital Electric

If you are planning to build a new home, geothermal systems are still the most efficient heating solution, says Josh Schaffner, member services assistant at Capital Electric Cooperative. He recently attended three days of extensive training on the ground-source heat pump in Elk River, Minn.

Hosted by Econar®, the conference taught attendees about geothermal installation, sales and service. Schaffner says there is a configuration of the geothermal system that will fit any house plan, whether the home requires forced air or sub-floor heating.

While Capital Electric members have the option of purchasing a geothermal system directly from the co-op, they are advised to consult with a contractor to get professional installation and service.

Schaffner says the cooperative sells Econar® heat pumps because of their unique ability to cover 100 percent of the heating load without over sizing for cooling in the summer.

“Because we live in North Dakota, our homes require more heating capacity than cooling. In most homes where a single machine provides the heating and cooling, the house will cool very quickly due to the size of the system, but the humidity level will remain high and give a cold, damp feeling to the home,” he says

“The Econar® heat pumps are capable of pulling nearly double the humidity out of the air compared to a conventional air conditioner, while maintaining a shorter operating time. Due to this fact, we can size the heat pump for the heat load, which is a must in our region.”

While geothermal systems may cost in between $12,000 to $15,000 to install, Schaffner says they are a smart long-term investment. He speculates members will see a return on their investment in between five and 10 years, and also says geothermal raises the resale value of the home.

Many people decide against a heat pump due to the cost of drilling wells for the ground loops, Schaffner says. He advises members to consider the horizontal system, which is dug with a backhoe or trencher. This reduces the initial installation costs but still provides high efficiency levels.

For more information on ground-source heat pumps and electric heat products, call Josh Schaffner or Doug Mork with Capital Electric’s Member Services Department today at (701) 223-1513.