GCEA is proud to partner with Tri-State Generation & Transmission, Western Colorado University (WCU) and the University of Colorado (CU)’s Partnership Program, the Gunnison Valley Home Energy Advancement Team (GV-HEAT), and Energy Outreach Colorado to complete a cold climate air source heat pump (ccASHP) system installation in an income-qualified home in GCEA’s service territory. WCU/CU mechanical engineering students Miles Murphy and Connor Hayes completed an implementation guide for ccASHP installations in Gunnison County as part of their senior Capstone project in 2024 and identified five income-qualified homes as good candidates for ccASHP systems, but lack of funding prevented the completion of the first installation until this fall. GCEA was able to donate funds awarded from Tri-State for a different heat pump pilot project to finally help make the project a reality and in early October Alspach Refrigeration was able to install the heat pump and provide an energy efficient and clean heating and cooling option for the home while reducing indoor air contaminants and greenhouse gas emissions through reduction of the use of a propane furnace. The heat pump will offset the usage of the furnace that has been expensive to operate and should save the family $1,200 to $2,400 per year in heating costs, while providing enough heat to keep everyone warm. As a bonus, the heat pump can run in reverse and provide cooling in the summer. Congratulations to Miles and Connor on the successful completion of their project! GCEA – powering possibilities one heat pump at a time.
