Propane shortage today, geothermal boom tomorrow?

The propane shortage keeps making news, and no doubt making a lot of home and business owners uncomfortable. We’ve seen the worrying situation pique many members’ interest in geothermal systems, and the bright side to this dark situation is that we introduced a rebate for fossil fuel to geothermal conversions earlier this year.

There’s a lot of good reason to convert from a propane furnace to a geothermal system. The efficiency difference is stunning: for every $1 of fuel you put into a propane furnace, you get about $.97 of heat. Fine, but consider the return on that same $1 if you have a geothermal system—$4 worth of heat.

And we can help members reach those returns.

On January 1, 2014, we introduced a $1,500 rebate for homeowners who replace a propane, natural gas, or fuel oil furnace with an all-electric geothermal unit that meets our minimum efficiency standards:

  • Closed loop: ?17 EER and ?3.6 COP
  • Open loop: ?21.1 EER and 4.1 COP

Homes that use two heating systems and install two geothermal systems properly sized according to ACCA standards can qualify for two incentives—$3,000 total.

What’s more, geothermal systems qualify for a 30% federal tax credit. Your tax advisor can help you with the details there.

Find the details on our residential incentive application, or contact your local Energy Advisor for more information.

Budding Buzz

Budding Buzz

As a beekeeper for almost 40 years, Dale McMahan has seen a lot. Next spring, a new planting near McMahan, now the president of the Beekeepers of Indiana, will provide a new food source to help bolster insect populations in an example of larger efforts to halt the decimation of pollinator populations nationwide.
READ MORE
Are You Optimizing Your Building Automation System?

Are You Optimizing Your Building Automation System?

Building automation systems (BAS) connect and automate various building systems and an reduce energy costs, increase comfort and improve building performance.
READ MORE