The Loop - IGSHPA Newsletter
August 20, 2015 | Geothermal Industry | Association News | Geothermal News

From the President
This has been a busy summer for the IGSHPA staff and Board of Directors. As usual, August means “crunch time” for final preparations for the Fall Technical Conference. This year the Conference will be held in Kansas City, Missouri October 5-8. We are very excited about the conference for a number of reasons. First, we have an excellent group of sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers who represent the best in our industry- and some leading edge thinking and product lines. Second, new IGSHPA services will be “rolled out” read more...

2015 IGSHPA Technical Conference and Expo
This will be hosted in Kansas City, Missouri, Oct. 7-8. Exhibitors are encouraged to act fast as only 12 booth spaces remain! Exhibitors can begin reserving their booths today by calling 800-626-4747. To learn more about the conference and to register to attend, please visit us online.
You can hear IGSHPA Director Bob Ingersoll talk about this year’s conference in our new promotional video. Please feel free to share this video on all your social media accounts and with anyone you think could benefit from attending the conference.

Kirk Mescher
It is with a heavy heart that we must inform you that Kirk Mescher peacefully passed away last night. Kirk was an eminent IGSHPA member and highly regarded by his peers in the industry. Please keep Kirk and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Conference Training Opportunities
IGSHPA training opportunities will be available at the 2015 Technical Conference and Expo. Class registrations for courses during the conference come with certain discounts. More information and registration can be found here.

Geo Outlook

GeoOutlook Image

This quarters GeoOutlook has been published and sent out, please contact IGSHPA at 1-800-626-4747 or (405) 744-5175 if you have not received yours.
You can view the entire issue online by going here.

GEO Inspectors Course
This year in Kansas City IGSHPA is excited to be rolling out its brand new accreditation and training course- the Geo Inspector Workshop. Inspector accreditation will empower code enforcing agents as well as other HVAC, utility, and ground-source industry professionals with the knowledge and experience needed to perform on-site inspections and system tests, both during and after the installation process. These inspections will allow professionals to ensure total end-user satisfaction, long-term equipment effectiveness, and code compliance. The course foundation will be built around IGSHPA, ASHRAE, and NGWA guidelines for ground-source systems as well as in-depth study of local and state ground-source codes. In addition, the course will expand to cover proper design and installation on outside heat exchange configurations and loop field layout. Heat fusion and antifreeze solutions system startup will also be included in this workshop. The course concludes with training on sample inspection checklists and forms, so that participants can gain first-hand experience completing the documentation of a ground-source system inspection. Read more

Web-Based Commercial Geothermal Design Software Released
Geo-Connections, Inc. has announced the official release of their software, LoopLink PRO. This is a subscription format, web-based program that enables subscribers to design and size geothermal ground heat exchangers for commercial spaces. The software features online collaboration between teammates, a drag-and-drop interface, loop design calculations, and reporting features that make sharing details with clients simple and effective.
IGSHPA members receive a special discount. More info can be found online at www.LoopLinkPRO.com

Geothermal Pipe Sales Increase
The Plastics Pipe institute reports geothermal pipe sales to IGSHPA as part of their membership benefit. For the first two quarters of 2015 there was a pronounced decline in pipe sales. Yet as we near the end of the year, the market is changing. Last month (July 2015) noticed a 4.8% increase compared to July 2014. Certainly better weather conditions have helped get more work done outdoors, but this could also be a sign of an increase in business for the industry and an upturn in the geothermal market.

IGSHPA Training

IGSHPA hosted ten participants for its recent Accredited Installers workshop in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Participants included: Michael Avallone, Avellone Mechanical, Las Cruces, NM; John Dale, ICS, Inc, Norman, OK; Ryan Dunkerson, FRE, Tulsa, OK; Kelly Haramoto, HLS Construction, Mendon, UT; Shahed Mustafa, Bridge Valley CTC, South Charleston, WV; Seth Parker, Melink Corp, Cincinnati, OH; Joshua Smith, Stevenson Utilities Construction, LLC, Springfield, OH; Brian Stevenson, Stevenson Utilities Construction, LLC, Springfield, OH; John Clapp, Geo Enterprises, Inc, Catoosa, OK; Lester Short, Team Air Distributing, Inc, Newport, TN

Geothermal News

Geothermal Marketing and Advocacy Partnership Announced
Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC), a regional utility provider in Oklahoma and New Mexico has teamed up with Geo-Energy Services (GES) of Littleton, Colorado to improve and expand the geothermal industry in Oklahoma. This relationship will assist participating distribution member system in the development of a custom business plan designed to determine what services and/or rebates the cooperative deems justifiable for their members. Once a cooperative opts to move forward, GES, as an engineering firm specializing in geothermal technology, will completely oversee the development and implementation of a personalized program. This unique ‘shared services’ partnership provides professional marketing & engineering expertise to WFEC members in rural areas at an affordable price. More information on the program can be found here.

Geothermal Rebate Program Announced
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), with the support of the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), has announced a five-year, $30 million commitment to support home and business owners across the Commonwealth who are installing the growth of the clean heating and cooling systems, including high-efficiency ground-source heat pumps. The program offers rebates for installing these technologies. The program is slated to expand in the coming year by making rebates available for commercial property owners. MassCEC will also offer increased incentives for low- and moderate-income customers who meet certain income thresholds beginning in October. More info can be found here.

Call for Papers: ASHRAE 2016
The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recently announced a Call for Papers for its 2016 Annual Conference in St. Louis, MO, on June 25-29, 2016, at the America’s Center Convention Complex and Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel.
Conference papers can be submitted either as Abstracts or Full Technical Papers, both due Sept. 14, 2015. Upon acceptance, Final Papers will be due Jan. 4, 2016. Click here for more conference information and to submit an abstract or a technical paper. (ASHRAE)

The U.S. DOE issued a request for information
It’s seeking input on how the DOE may update and improve its methodology for assessing the cost-effectiveness of residential and commercial building energy codes. This includes information on the general costs, benefits and economic impacts associated with building energy codes. (The actual submission read: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) in the Federal Register seeking input on how the Department may update and improve its methodology for assessing the cost-effectiveness (which includes an energy savings assessment) of residential and commercial building energy codes. DOE is directed by statute to provide technical assistance to states to support the implementation of model building energy codes. As part of this role, DOE conducts national and state-level analysis to assess the cost-effectiveness of building energy codes and proposed changes. DOE is interested in feedback on its analysis methodology, preferred sources of cost data, and parameter assumptions surrounding its cost-effectiveness assessment. In addition, DOE is seeking information on the general costs, benefits, and economic impacts associated with building energy codes.)

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