Three San Isabel Electric Association members have discovered different ways to utilize geothermal energy in their homes. Those of us that know something about geothermal energy may only know a little and assume that there is only one way to utilize this renewable resource in our homes. We would be wrong. Here are three different San Isabel Electric members who each found a different way to utilize this energy source.
Two San Isabel members in the La Veta area have utilized geothermal technology in their homes. But just as their homes are different, so too is the way the energy is used. Calling on the talents and abilities of Hans Noordik, owner of Noordik Construction, and Ron Mriglot of Geothermal Solutions, both the Klinkes and the Goldmans have realized their dreams of building for energy sustainability.
Both homes utilize a WaterFurnace® geothermal system from Geothermal Solutions. But that is where the similarities end. The Klinke home uses the energy source to heat hardwood floors on the main level of the home and slate floors in the basement. According to Nancy Klinke, the heated water flowing beneath the natural wood floors feels wonderful on bare feet on a chilly day. “The aluminum in the Warmboard® subfloor conducts heat throughout the system, which reduces the amount of energy needed to maintain heat in the floor,” she said. “It was a perfect fit with our wood floor.”
As for the slate floors on the lower level, Mriglot explains, “We installed horizontal loops instead of drilling vertical loops because the acreage was available.” The loop system and hydronics of the WaterFurnace® allows for a cooler circulating water temperature, which increases efficiencies by getting more heat in the floor source. The temperatures stay steady and even, which lowers utility bills. And if the Klinkes ever needed to use the air-conditioning feature of the system, the geo unit covers that as well, without the noisy compressor.
The Klinkes strongly believe in the front end investment in geothermal and electric thermal storage because it pays to have low-cost utilities for a lifetime. In his research and desire to be “eco-friendly” and build for the future, Carl Klinke looked into both wind and solar energy sources but kept returning to the other options. “Ground source geothermal heat pumps made the best economic sense for us as we built our retirement home,” he said. “We plan on being here a long time.”
The Goldman home site in Tres Valles, north of Highway 160, also uses the WaterFurnace® geothermal system, which hosts traditional ducted forced air throughout the home. In this home, a vertical loop is used to meet the needs of smaller acreage. Construction savings were realized by expanding the width of the pipe, and fewer loops were needed to heat the home. “We are custom builders and work with the home owners for them to have a home they can pass on to the next generation,” said Noordik, a native of the Netherlands. “Our goal is to build as sustainably and energy efficiently as possible. Geothermal is a natural fit.”
The Goldman log home is open to take advantage of the scenic beauty of the area. But the Goldman will stay nice and cozy with Icynene LD-R-50®, which seals and insulates the home. While the cost for this insulation is initially twice the cost of traditional insulation, according to Noordik it evens out in the long run. “You save costs by not having to vent with Icynene, which makes it cost comparable, and it is a lot better insulator,” he said.
Geothermal systems aren’t just for the cooler climate of the Spanish Peak. Alva “Tex” Freeman, Pueblo West resident by way of Tennessee, has built his retirement home using the ThermalSteel® structural panels. Freeman benefits from the ground source heat pump even in the windy, dry climate of Pueblo West. “I read about the system in Popular Mechanics, did my research and thought it was a good complement to the ThermalSteel® Construction,” said Freeman. The temperature of the 2,400 square- foot home varies only slightly from season to season, making the $16,000 investment in the system with four vertical wells worth it. “The temperature inside my home fluctuates between 8 and 10 degrees winter or summer, and that ain’t bad,” said Freeman.
Not only have the members saved on heating cost, they’ve also reaped the rewards of the rebate program offered through San Isabel Electric Association and Tri-State Generation and Transmission. There you have it: three different homes, three different solutions, all utilizing efficient geothermal technology. It’s just three more ways San Isabel members are building for the next generation.
—Ashley Valdez, San Isabel Electric