DMEA’s geothermal program discussion

MONTROSE — Delta-Montrose Electric Association’s new “geothermal loop tariff” is the subject of a seminar slated for next week.

The event will be held Thursday, Sept. 18, from 6 to 7 p.m. at DMEA’s Montrose building.

“Although several dozen homeowners have already taken advantage of this new tariff, there are many members interested in lowering their heating costs this winter who are unfamiliar with the program,” said Mark Kurtz, manager of DMEA’s geothermal division, in a news release.

In the geo loop tariff program DMEA pays for the installation of a residential ground-source heat pump’s loops—normally about half the system’s cost—and owns and maintains the loop as utility plant, charging the residential co-op member signing up for the loop tariff an affordable monthly fee, DMEA noted.

The association’s geothermal loop tariff will run between $15 to $29 a month for most homes, according to DMEA.

“A geothermal heat pump is the most energy efficient heating and cooling option for most homes, but it has a higher up front cost,” Kurtz said.

“Our loop tariff brings down the initial cost of a geothermal heat pump close to that of a conventional system, enabling the homeowner to save 30 to 70 percent on their operating cost, compared to natural gas or propane.”

For more information or to RSVP for the geothermal seminar, call DMEA at 249-4572.