RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:Congrats Crew on the New Record Production Rate! I can weigh in on something finally (regarding the article OldNagger found).
I've been operating a Geothermal Heating and Cooling business in NE BC since 2005. I amazed at the lack of knowledge the average consumer has on the option to use a Geothermal heating/cooling system. I believe this has an awful lot to do with policy programs. It's actually too good a thing, so keeps getting the back shelf. So much focus on solar and wind, and almost no mention of Geothermal. (Typically).
In the early 2000's Federal and Provincial money was offered to "retro-fit" homes from gas to geothermal, totalling about 7,500.00 worth. People flocked to the program. I'm convinced it was a test pilot to see if the marketplace would accept the technology......and it did! We were so busy back then.
Geothermal, while using electricity to operate, it's true, works on a C.O.P. (Coefficient of Performance)
Typically, in Northern Climate COP of about 3.92 can be achieved. This means, for 1 unit of Electricity used, 3.92 units of heat is generated, 2.92 come free out of the ground (Ground Sourced HeatPumps).
This is like having a furnace almost 400% efficient. The problem on a payback scenario, is, the operating savings with electricity where it is, and gas where it was (extremely cheap!) made it a hard sell after 2008 in BC, and forget payback on a system in Alberta. If it takes more than 10 years to pay a system upgrade cost back, you lost the attention span of your customers.......
I did well, operating in the Dawson Creek & FSJ / Chetwynd area, as there is still a tremendous amount of rural area still heating with Propane, but, as gas was cheap and electricity moved up over the years, in general, Geo faded. It's too bad, because it is a wonderful, constant & steady heat. And AC is a real bonus.
I used to hate NG & producers. (my competition!!!)
Who would have known that just a few years later, I'd sell my 4Plex in Chetwynd, invest all the proceeds in a NG producer from my area (my nemesis) and make all my retirement money on the NG producer and not drilling my holes in peoples backyards!
Life can be crazy, so thankful I came over to "The Dark Side". Thank you Crew Energy management for staying the course!!
incidently, building a new home and putting Geothermal Units in it of course!
GLTA
PonyBoy Outsider