All across the country, utilities are straining to keep up with rising power demands from customers, which is why many are looking at ways to encourage consumers to conserve energy. Most utilities promote conservation by offering rebates for the installation of high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment and solar energy systems, but several are starting to think outside the box.
For example, a few utilities are encouraging the use of geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) by offering to pay the often high costs associated with installing the loop field and then charging homeowners a monthly service fee, based on the capacity of the system installed. Many see this as a win-win proposition, as energy-efficient GHPs reduce peak electric demand for the utility, and more homeowners can afford the initial cost of a highly efficient HVAC system.