LA-80-07-1 -- Conversion of an Electrically Heated Motel to Geothermal Energy PDF

The ever-increasing costs of fossil fuels have made the conversion to geothermal heating an attractive alternative. This paper outlines the feasibility design efforts for retrofitting an existing 40-unit motel from propane and electric heating to a geothermal supply. The motel is located in the south-central portion of Colorado at an elevation of 6900 ft (2100 m). A geothermal resource of 150°F (65°C) at a depth of 2,200 ft (610 m) is available for the conversion.

The equipment and installation costs for the geothermal conversion are approx. $110,000, assuming a geothermal supply temperature of 150°F (65°C). By providing all space heating and hot water needs from a geothermal supply the potential annual electrical savings are $21,000. The actual payback period is dependent on the site specific characteristics of the geothermal resource.