Shilshole Pointe-Seattle’s First Geothermal Community

 

The Shilshole Pointe Geo Homes by JRJ Development will be the first installation of Geothermal Heating and Cooling for a community of homes in the City of Seattle.  The project consists of seven homes, approximately 3150 square feet with sweeping views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.  The various green features of each home will include superior insulation, extensive use of materials reclaimed from the site, rainwater collection, low-flow fixtures, low VOC finishes, and passive ventilation.     

Geothermal Heat Pumps are the most efficient heating and cooling technology available today according to the US Department of Energy.  Buildings that employ this technology can expect an annual savings of nearly 60% for space heating and domestic hot water over conventional systems.  This installation included the drilling of four 200-225 foot deep loops (down and back up) for each home into which 1600 feet of tubing filled with a liquid solution was placed to form a continuous loop.  The ground at that depth maintains a constant temperature of 55-57 degrees Fahrenheit year round (warmer than surface temperatures in the winter, cooler than in the summer), and basically a heat exchanger does the rest; heating or cooling as needed.  It is a relatively simple technology that could have a dramatic impact on a number of environmental considerations, namely and perhaps now most poignantly a reliance on fossil fuels for residential (and commercial) space conditioning and water heating.   Among the list of benefits immediately available to the homeowner is a tax credit of 30% of the total installation cost*. 

JRJ Development has been building homes in the Seattle area since 1992.  Their vision began with a desire to enhance Seattle neighborhoods by developing and constructing high quality properties.  The knowledge, experience, and perspective they have gained from 18 years in local building has encouraged them to explore and now confidently integrate technologies such as Geothermal Heating and Cooling into their projects; along with a myriad of other green building practices.  Guided tours are available for this project.  If you would like to take a walk through and learn about the many materials, techniques, and technologies that have been utilized at this site please contact us and we would be happy to make the arrangements.