Use Of Geothermal Energy Systems Growing

SACO (NEWS CENTER) -- While geothermal heating systems have been in use since the 1800's, rising and unpredictable energy costs and a desire to build environmentally friendly projects have their popularity on the rise. 

"People want to be green you know, and that is the buzz-word, and that really influences a lot of people, but when they see what is going on with the oil prices and the fact that they can save a lot of money in heating their buildings, then they really get excited about it," said Douglas Martin, president of  W.H. Demmons, an engineering and construction firm.  "We see more and more people trending to the geothermal."

"I think the more it gets integrated into standard building practice, the easier and cheaper it is going to be," said Chris Bakkila, a LEED certified architect with Platz Associates.  "The standard system is easy cause everyone has done them for years and years, and you don't even have to think about it.  The geothermal, you kind of have to think about it, think about what type you want, and once you get beyond that point, I think it is easy.  You have the system, you implement it."

Martin and Bakkila are working together on a new Norway Savings Bank branch in Saco, the second branch to install a geothermal heating and cooling system and the first in the company that will be LEED certified.  "It was a geothermal investment initially, and for us, that is really a hedge for the volatility in energy pricing," said Norway Savings' Chief Financial Officer Brian Shibles.   "Each facility that we do, we'll look at it, we'll analyze what makes sense for that facility and then we will go from there."

Shibles says his company is looking for stability in energy prices, lower costs and to be a good corporate partner by building in an environmentally friendly manner.  He says they are looking to increase energy efficiency and save money by investing in the system.  

Martin says the up-front costs of geothermal heating systems can be as much as $30,000 more than conventional oil or gas heating systems, but the investment pays off over time.  "The benefit is you will actually heat your building for a third of the cost it would for conventional oil fired or gas fired system," said Martin. 

"We are now doing this in industry for manufacturers and when manufacturers can see a return on their investment, you know it is going to go other places," stated Martin.  Martin says about 200 homes in greater Portland have installed geothermal heating systems and as the housing market improves he expects more to do the same.  He says the costs still remain too high for many homeowners, but as more companies build them, the prices should start to come down. 

If you would like more information on geothermal heating systems, you can find the California Energy Commission's website with lots of information on the technology by clicking here.

You can also find W.H. Demmons' website, with information about their geothermal projects, by clicking here.