1,000th geothermal celebration

Celebration honors co-op’s long-term commitment to promoting energy efficient technology.

On Thursday, October 13, Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative celebrated the 1,000th geothermal system installed in the cooperative’s service territory.

Geothermal systems are, according the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available today.” Eastern Illini’s President/CEO Wm. David Champion, Jr. noted, “As a member-owned utility, we are always looking for ways to help our members save money on their utility bills. Geothermal systems definitely do that, plus they are great for the environment. In fact, I had a geothermal system installed at my home several years ago, and we love it!”

Simply put, geothermal systems utilize the nearly constant temperatures underground, via a loop system, to heat a home in the winter, and cool it in the summer. By utilizing the Earth’s built-in energy, instead of having to create it, systems can operate at up to 400% efficiency.

Since a geothermal system burns no fossil fuel on-site to produce heat, it generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a conventional furnace, and completely eliminates a potential source of poisonous carbon monoxide within the building. Even factoring in its share of the emissions from the power plant that produces electricity to operate the geothermal system, total emissions are far lower than for conventional systems.

During the celebration, Champion presented the owners of the 1,000th geothermal system, John & Diane Dailey of rural Thomasboro, with a check for $1,000. The event also featured comments from Doug Dougherty, the President/CEO of the national Geothermal Exchange Organization, and Brian Houchin, the President of the Geothermal Alliance of Illinois.

Champion said, “While we don’t sell or install geothermal systems ourselves, we believe in the technology and the cost-savings it brings. That makes it easy for us to recommend them to our members.”

For more information, please contact the Eastern Illini Marketing Department at 1-800-824-5102 or email us.