Geo Thermal Energy

Tools

By Stephanie Domurat

Story Published: Sep 19, 2008 at 7:01 PM MDT

Story Updated: Sep 19, 2008 at 7:01 PM MDT

BILLINGS - Opening up your energy bill each month might make you cringe, but a new trend could take the edge off.

One Billings business will head into winter with a break from the all-time high costs of energy. They will be joining the trend using an alternate way of heating, using a system that has gained popularity in recent years.

Cathie Boston has been keeping others warm with her tea for seven years. But with the high and rising costs of energy, now she's concerned with keeping her own tea house warm. "We'll be conserving and we'll be saving gas, and that will help cut costs," says Boston owner of the Boston Harbor Tea House. Instead of replacing an old furnace, the Boston's decided to make a transition to Geothermal energy, a heating and cooling system that experts say can save up to 70% of electric costs.

"It's actually a pretty simple idea it's been around for many years. But its popularity is just starting to grow," says Curt White with White Heating and Air Conditioning. The system, first introduced in the seventies, uses a pump to move energy from two hundred feet below the ground, to right inside a home or business. The pumps carry water through an indoor furnace, and without the need for natural gas.

"It's very good for the environment, of course there are no fossil fuels needed. We're just using clean electric energy to heat and cool this business there," says White. With the long-term relief for the environment and the pocketbook, many new homes, businesses and schools are now being built the Geothermal way. And the growing number of people updating their older buildings, say they are willing to spend the money now, to more than make up for it later.

"It's a bit of up-front costs, but it's worth it in the end," says Boston. White says installation in a three bedroom home would cost roughly $20,000 dollars, but within 5-to-10 years, it would pay for itself.

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