LONDONDERRY, N.H. — Bosch Thermotechnology has signed an agreement with Orca Energy, a leading geothermal utility provider, to jointly market a geothermal ground heat exchanger and equipment solution to developers, home builders, and new home buyers in the United States.
The agreement to collaborate in the U.S. marketplace is intended to solve one of the most persistent challenges facing the geothermal industry: how to overcome builder and homeowner resistance to the initial capital cost of installing the ground heat exchanger. According to the companies, geothermal heat pump systems can save between 30-50 percent in heating and cooling costs. First costs for installing the geothermal ground loop, however, have been a stumbling block the industry has struggled with for years.
Home builders who enter into agreements with Orca Energy will receive design, installation, and maintenance services for the ground heat exchanger at no expense. Orca Energy will serve the homeowner as a separate utility provider for the thermal energy provided by the geothermal heat pump system. Under such master agreements, the builder agrees to have Bosch geothermal heat pumps, manufactured by Bosch’s FHP Manufacturing division in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., installed in the new homes.
Orca Energy will charge the homeowner a one-time connection fee and then bill a monthly utility charge (MUC) consisting of a capacity charge and a variable monthly energy charge. These charges are indexed to the consumer price index (CPI). The MUC is designed to be set at or below actual space heating and cooling and hot water energy costs as compared to a conventional HVAC system. This provides the homeowner with stable and predictable energy costs over time.
Orca Energy and Bosch will jointly focus on securing master service agreements with developers/builders of new subdivisions in areas where the cost of energy is high and where there is a strong value proposition.
Bosch will focus on developing its Accredited Bosch Contractor (ABC) loyalty program with geothermal contractors located in targeted markets in order to provide installation and maintenance for the Orca Energy Master Service Agreements.
“Bosch has made a commitment to grow our geothermal heat pump business, and to do that we have to make strategic connections within the industry with key partners like Orca Energy,” said Richard Soper, Bosch Thermotechnology’s president for North America. “Orca provides a great solution to remove the initial cost barrier for geothermal systems. We look forward to working closely with our partners at Orca to make this a game-changer for geothermal acceptance.”
“Bosch is the perfect partner for us in the U.S.,” said Jim Leask, president and CEO of Orca Energy. “Both Bosch and Orca are serious about taking geothermal mainstream as the cleanest, most energy efficient, and most comfortable renewable energy technology available. This is an important development for the geothermal marketplace. Our strategic alliance with Bosch will have a significant impact on the geothermal industry.”
For more information about Bosch Thermotechnology, visit www.boschheatingandcooling.com. For more information on Orca Energy, visit www.orcaenergies.com.
Publication date: 2/10/2014
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