APPA Speakers to Address the Benefits of Geothermal Technology

BOSTON, July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. schools currently spend $6 billion a year on energy costs, more than they spend on textbooks and computers combined. An average of 25 percent of that energy is lost through inefficient technologies and building design.

Geothermal heat pump systems, which use the earth's renewable thermal energy for heating and cooling, offer a potential solution. At the upcoming APPA conference, Jim Knutson, comprehensive solutions director, Trane; Dave Button, vice president, administration, University of Regina; and Erik van de Boogaard, associate vice president for facilities planning design and construction, Adams State College, will discuss geothermal heat pumps and why they are the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available.

During the presentation, van de Boogaard will address the benefits of geothermal, while Knutson will describe the state of geothermal technology and potential funding options for it. Button and van de Boogaard will also discuss how attendees can evaluate the benefits of geothermal for their campuses.

Presentation details:

When: Friday, July 16, 9-10 a.m.

Where: Room Beacon Hill 2/3, the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center, One Seaport Lane, Boston, MA 02210.

About APPA 2010

APPA (formerly known as the Association of Physical Plant Administrators of Universities and Colleges) 2010 is a networking and learning experience for facilities officers, directors and facilities management personnel at four-year and two-year colleges and universities, K-12 school systems and private academies. Attendees also include representatives from leading companies and businesses who support educational facilities professionals with innovative products and services. The conference website is http://appa.org/training/APPA2010/index.cfm. Trane will feature innovative solutions for the industry at booth #151.

About Knutson

Jim Knutson, director of comprehensive solutions for Trane, leads a Denver, Colo.-based team in serving new construction and retrofit customers in six states: Colorado, Nevada, Montana, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico. Knutson has over 27 years of experience providing energy efficiency and contracting solutions for federal, state and local government, K-12/higher education, commercial and industrial clients.

Knutson is a current board member of the Energy Efficient Business Coalition and a member of the Energy Services Coalition, Association of Energy Engineers and the Cogeneration & On-Site Power Association. He played a key role in drafting energy efficiency legislation in 10 states over the past 15 years. Knutson also assisted in the development of the energy performance contracting M&V protocol used now as the standard in many states. He has a bachelor of arts in business administration from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn.

About Trane

Trane, a business of Ingersoll Rand - the world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and energy efficient environments - improves the performance of homes and buildings around the world. Trane solutions optimize indoor environments with a broad portfolio of energy efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, building and contracting services, parts support and advanced controls for homes and commercial buildings.  For more information, visit www.Trane.com.

About Ingersoll Rand

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE: IR) is a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments in commercial, residential and industrial markets. Our people and our family of brands—including Club Car®, Hussmann®, Ingersoll Rand®, Schlage®, Thermo King® and Trane® —work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings, transport and protect food and perishables, secure homes and commercial properties, and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. We are a $13 billion global business committed to sustainable business practices within our company and for our customers.  For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com.

SOURCE Trane