The State Capitol building’ new eco-friendly HVAC system uses a total of 9 ClimateMaster geothermal heat pumps, all using environmentally sound EarthPure HFC-410A refrigerant. For achieving superior energy efficiency, the capitol has earned LEED designation.

How does geothermal energy work?

The ClimateMaster system provides heating and cooling through the building, including air conditioning to its House and Senate Chambers for the first time in the building’s history.

Geothermal Savings

Since coming online in the summer of 2013, the new geothermal heat pump system has generated substantial savings for the state of Colorado. In the first year of operation, $95,000 in utility bill savings were achieved, and savings are estimated to increase at about a 3-percent annual uptick to $165,000 per year by 2029. Payback on the state’s investment in the Colorado Capitol Complex project at-large is estimated to be 19 years, with a return on investment for the State Capitol building’s geothermal system itself calculated at 10 years.

Oklahoma and Idaho are the only other state capitols using geothermal heat pumps and Oklahoma’s system also uses ClimateMaster.

To watch a video about the geothermal system in the Colorado State Capitol from Denver’s FOX31 TV, click here.