MONUMENT, CO-- Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter toured Palmer Ridge High School today, getting a firsthand look at the largest geothermal heating and cooling system in Colorado, which allows the new high school to use energy more efficiently and save money.
Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and its electric cooperative member, Mountain View Electric Association, provided more than $190,000 in rebates and incentives to reward the school district's commitment to energy efficiency.
Following the tour, the governor addressed nearly 500 students to discuss energy efficiency and congratulated the school district for its dedication to the smart use of energy. Tri-State and Mountain View also presented Principal Gary Gabel with the "Harnessing the Earth's Energy" award in honor of the school's energy efficiency.
The geothermal system was installed in the new school building, which opened in August 2008, and includes approximately 200 wells, or "loops," buried in a field behind the school. Those loops circulate water and the constant 55 degree F temperature of the earth heats or cools the circulating water loops as needed to balance the building's year-round heating and cooling requirements.
In comparison to the district's other high school that is of similar size but has a conventional heating and cooling system, the geothermal system and other energy efficient measures at Palmer Ridge High School have saved the school district approximately 50 percent on its energy bills since August, a savings of about $60,000.
In addition, construction costs were reduced by about $225,000 due to the reduction in space required for the geothermal system as compared to a traditional HVAC system. The system also provides roof space that has been utilized as a "green" roof, because coolers are not filling that space as they would with a conventional system.
Students at Palmer Ridge High School have just completed Energy Efficiency Week, during which the school partnered with Tri-State to provide facts and information about energy efficiency during the morning announcements. During today's assembly, Tri-State conducted a "game show" to drive the information home with the students.
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