OKLAHOMA CITY — ClimateMaster Inc. held a reception at the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association banquet facility to celebrate the completion of Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity’s (HFH) 300th home featuring a geothermal heat pump-driven heating and cooling system. The home, located in the organization’s Las Rosas development in Oklahoma City, represents a unique collaborative commitment to construct all Habitat for Humanity homes in the region with geothermal heating and cooling systems.
“Thanks to ClimateMaster and its president, Dan Ellis, we are one of the most energy-efficient homebuilders in the state of Oklahoma, and among the top in the nation, saving families $700-$800 on average per year,” said Ann Felton, president, Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity. “We value our partnership with ClimateMaster, and I am honored to have the opportunity to work with Dan. With his knowledge and expertise, he has really catapulted our construction program to the next level, which ultimately benefits our families.”
According to Felton, ClimateMaster has donated the heat pump units installed in all 300 geothermal homes constructed by the organization since 2006. In addition, system design, installation, testing, and startup services have been provided at cost by Oklahoma City-based geothermal installing contractor Comfortworks, and by geothermal driller B&H Construction.
“Adding geothermal heating and cooling into the affordable housing model can provide the benefit of significant energy savings, which means more money in a homeowner’s pocket for household necessities like groceries and gas. Our work with Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity really shows the economic value of this type of system, particularly in smaller entry-market homes,” said Chris Ellis, president of Comfortworks.
The 300 geothermal homes built to date, which range in size from 1,050-1,400 square feet, each feature a 2-ton geothermal heat pump system from ClimateMaster that is fed by a single 400-foot-deep borehole.
“Typically, the borehole is drilled under the foundational slab, which makes for a very streamlined installation, eliminating the need for any headering and allowing for the pipe to feed directly into the mechanical closet inside the house,” said Chris Ellis.
Publication date: 1/20/2014
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