Alternative heating installed at Summit Lake
Summit Lake Lodge has installed a water furnace to provide radiant heating and hot water for the lodge and restaurant.
Last Thursday 17, people travelled to the lodge at Mile 45.5 Seward Highway on a Seward Chamber of Commerce Business and Innovation Committee visit to see and learn more about the operation.
The system pumps water that is 47 degrees Fahrenheit out of the bottom of the lake extracts heat from the water to provide hot water for both the tap and radiant heating, said committee member Tom Tougas.
The cost of the pump and installation was around $78,000. The savings in heating fuel is expected to be about $20,000 per year with a $5,000 per year increase in electric usage, and after the equipment is paid for, in about four years, the owner will be saving about $500 over current costs.
The Business and Innovation Committee is one part of the chamber’s effort to develop a community plan for economic development and community investment.
On Sept. 18 the committee will host a meeting with the company that sold and installed the system. Those who want to participate can call the chamber at 224-8051.