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To date, the energy use and cost of operating the geothermal system has been significantly lower than preliminary estimates. The Panorama Elementary School used 432,000 kWh's of electricity during its first year of operation (June 1999 to May 2000). The cost of electricity over this time period was $26,924 for the total building. This is much less than the engineering estimates for just the heating system alone.
During the coldest month, January 2000, the total building use was 52,640 kWh and the electric bill was approximately $2,750. Of this amount, 28,000 kWh was billed with the electric heat rate for a heating cost of about $900. The total heating and cooling costs for the first year of operation was approximately $4,000.
The first year of operation occurred during a mild Iowa winter and summer. During a typical year it is estimated that the energy consumption could run 10-15% higher. Even taking this into account, the energy usage at this school has been extremely low, even by geothermal standards.
According to Superintendent Millhollin, "...the electricity bill (with the geothermal system) is less than at our middle school/high school building." This doesn't even take into account their natural gas bill at the high school where heating is provided by an older gas boiler system.
The City of Panora has passed on an electric heating rate available to them from Guthrie County REC, their local power distribution partner. This rate is comparable to special electric heating rates typically offered by rural electric cooperatives across the state of Iowa. The application of this rate to their already low usage has added up to big savings for the Panorama School District.
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