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Other superintendents say geothermal worth the investment
by Rob Poggenklass · News · July 03, 2007
Geothermal energy produces more consistent heat and air conditioning than traditional boiler systems, say the superintendents of two other Iowa school districts that already use the technology.
In separate interviews, the superintendents from Oelwein and Mount Vernon said their districts are pleased with geothermal, and suggested that they wouldn’t go back.
Jeff Schwiebert is superintendent at Mount Vernon, where a new high school which opened last year uses geothermal heating and cooling. Schwiebert said the district’s actual energy costs have risen because of the newer, bigger building, but he added that energy bills are more consistent and said he believes geothermal will pay off in the long run.
In addition to bonding for the new high school, Mount Vernon received a state grant through the Department of Natural Resources to help pay for the geothermal heating and cooling system.
“We felt it was a good thing and the state agreed with us because they want schools to save on energy costs,” Schwiebert said.
Jim Patera is superintendent of Oelwein schools, where nearly the entire district runs on geothermal energy. Oelwein Middle School was retrofitted for geothermal energy seven years ago, using physical plant and equipment levy funds and SILO tax dollars.
“We have been absolutely sold on it, especially with oil and fuel prices,” Patera said. “The return has been much quicker than we anticipated. It’s been the right move.”
Schwiebert said there are educational benefits to geothermal energy, including the potential for year-round school sometime down the road. Already, the district is planning to stretch its calendar by starting school the second week of August and finishing the first semester by Christmas.
“I’m an advocate of year-round school,” he said. “We wouldn’t lose some of the learning that takes place.”
Patera said there hasn’t been any serious debate about year-round school yet in Oelwein, though the district does have some summer school already.
Schwiebert said there are maintenance advantages to geothermal because the heat pumps run independently of one another.
“When a boiler goes down, the whole building goes down,” he said. “When a heat pump goes down, you can get it fixed.”
Mount Vernon is considering retrofitting its elementary school with geothermal energy using money from the recently passed school infrastructure local option (SILO) sales tax in Linn County.
Five years ago, the Oelwein School District passed an $8 million bond issue for a new auditorium, wellness addition and early childhood center, Patera said. That bond issue included a geothermal heating and cooling system for the new facility.
Within two to three years, when an elementary building is expected to close in Oelwein, Patera said all the school district’s facilities will use geothermal energy.
“Here in Oelwein, we’ve been very satisfied with geothermal — very pleased with our return,” he said.
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