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Energy Efficiency


Participant Wanted for


Geothermal Validation Study By Tory Tedder


the most efficient and comfortable heating and cooling technologies currently available," touts an Energy Star information sheet. Geothermal energy has been


OEC and our power


provider, Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC), have teamed up with Oklahoma geothermal manufacturer ClimateMaster to embark on a research project intended to validate the cost benefits of residential Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHPs). Based on the industry's


history, performance in commercial applications, and interpolated data, we believe, as does the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), that residential application of GHPs is a viable option for home heating, will lower consumer energy costs, and will lower demand costs for utilities (postponing the need to build additional generation plants and avoiding rate increases). Te DOE estimates GHPs use 25 to 50 percent less electricity than conventional heating and cooling systems and can reduce energy consumption (along with corresponding emissions) up to 44 percent. GHPs are similar to air source heat pumps, but use the ground instead of outside air to provide heating, cooling, and water heating. "Because they use the earth's natural heat, GHP's are among


in use for ages. Residents of Boise, Idaho and Klamath Falls, Ore. used geothermal via hot springs in their office buildings and homes as early as 1892; however, proximity to hot springs and cost constraints have limited most GHPs to large corporate developments and power plants. As a result, the energy sector lacks hard data on the viability of GHPs in residential settings. Tis is where you come in. If


you have considered installing a GHP, OEC and WFEC would like the opportunity to monitor your home's energy usage.


Our goal is to monitor: 3 Whole house load profile


(before and after geothermal activation). Tis measures how


much electricity your home uses; 3 Sub-metered load profile on HVAC circuits and hot water circuits individually (before and after). Tis lets us isolate major energy users so we can compare


efficiencies accordingly; and 3 Indoor/outdoor temperature.


Incentives: ☞ OEC provides a free ground loop to replace your current 3- or


4-ton unit, (up to $6,650 value); ☞ OEC provides a free electric hot water heater if needed ($275 est. value); and


☞ You may be eligible for a 30% tax credit from the federal government. (Tax credit is not provided by OEC.)


Your commitments: ↨ You agree to bring your


home up to Energy Star recommendations and cover all costs associated with any


upgrades; ↨ You cover equipment (except where specified) and installation


costs; ↨ Your current HVAC unit


must be at least 10 years old; ↨ You agree to have an electric hot water heater (provided by


OEC); and ↨ You agree to terms & conditions. Note: Your investment could reach $10,000-$15,000.


Interested members should


contact OEC's engineering department at (405) 217-6850 for more information on how you can be a part of this study. Te deadline to submit your name for consideration is March 11, 2013. If multiple qualifying applications are recived, we will conduct a random drawing.


Sources: EnergyStar.gov, Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy and Office of Geothermal Technologies. Tis project is partially funded by the Cooperative Research Network™ (CRN) and industry leaders, Geo-Exchange, ClimateMaster, Water Furnace, Bosch, and IGSPHA. CRN, the technology research arm of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), conducts collaborative research to accelerate technological innovation for use by electric cooperatives worldwide.


News Magazine 7


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