Distinctly Montana Magazine

DYNAMIC HOME LIGHTING • Mood Sensitive • Cost Efficient • User Friendly VENTS TO HOUSE HEAT PUMP/ EXCHANGER GROUND LOOP TEMPERATURE IS CONSISTENT. BURIED BELOW FREEZING LINE, WHERE GROUND PIPES ARE Old Faithful in winter Black Box Design NPS PHOTO (2) 406.932.5400 www.5400.tv Nevertheless, just under the surface of heat, steam and mineralized vapor, individual enterprise is bub- bling to the surface as some home and business owners have taken it upon themselves to access clean, efficient heat energy in efforts to ease themselves "off the grid." Peter Lee, owner of THB Energy Solutions of Bozeman, says that "geothermal energy in Montana, if harnessed properly, can provide homeowners and businesses with all their heating needs in an efficient, eco- nomical way while giving a boost to the envi- ronment to boot." All right, but let's check its footprint first... its carbon footprint. Large, Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), like that of The Geysers do use grid electricity. So to fairly compare its carbon footprint to fossil fuels (like propane and heating oil) you have to account for delivery. Histori- cally, grid electricity loses about 70% of its energy by the time it gets to a delivery HOME ENERGY COMPARISON p More than 80% of the Earth's sur- face originated from volcanic activity. p Holes drilled as deep as five miles into the Earth's reveal that the rock temperature increases about 37 degrees Fahrenheit per 320 feet. Comet geyser point, like your home, due to just transmission or "line loss." Heating oil and propane also run an energy deficit due to its transport on rail and in trucks. That's because it takes energy to move energy. Ah, but what if geothermal energy is sourced on-site with heat pumps? In essence, a geothermal heat pump delivers heat at efficiency rates of 300% to 500% because its refriger- ant circuit takes advantage of the Earth's ambient heat. There is no way for propane and heating oil to compete; your delivery efficiency is increased at the same time that your carbon footprint has been reduced. A rare, but true "win-win" for both man and the environment. Okay, great, but what does all this hot air cost? Beyond hot air, geothermal heat pumps can also provide heat via radiant distribution. In addition, they are highly efficient at cooling. 56 DISTINCTLY MONTANA • AUTUMN 2011 10 FEET

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