By: Meg Campbell Exploiting Oregon?s Klamath Basin geology is one way to cut costs and carbon emissions. The city of Klamath Falls has done so for a century. Now its newspaper taps the same energy source for its new home.
The Herald and News relocated this summer to a new building that incorporates high-efficiency features, working environment improvements and geothermal heating.
The facility was constructed with prefabricated steel, which ?saved a significant amount of money? and is ?probably more structurally sound,? says Publisher Heidi Wright.
Walls, roofs, and windows are highly insulative, and most fixtures are high-efficiency. The paper applied for Oregon Energy Trust rebates on reflective glazing, efficient motors and pumps, and heating.
Of the $100,000 in energy trust cash incentives, 85% is for the geothermal project, with an additional $114,000 expected from the state?s business energy tax credit over five years.
The geothermal plant?s heat exchanger transfers well-water heat to a 30% propylene glycol mixture. Two pumps alternate between standby and operating modes to warm the buildings, heat domestic water, and melt snow on walks and parking spaces.
Working environment enhancements include ink-mist filtering in the back shop, exercise and meeting rooms, and bike racks. A white-sound system improves office-area privacy.
The old building had less than half the office space, and the only glass was at the entrance. The new hillside home?s south-facing windows give ?a lot more light,? Wright says, and ?a great view of Mount Shasta.?
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