Contact Information: CONTACT INFORMATION: Katie Stafford Godfrey Public Relations Office: 717.393.3831 ext. 159 Mobile: 717.371.1771 Email: Andy Fracica WaterFurnace International Inc. Office: 260-479-3210 Email:
Geothermal Systems From WaterFurnace Offer Builders a Differentiator With Special Appeal to Homeowners
Systems Attract Growing Number of Homeowners Looking to Conserve Energy, Reduce Costs and Protect the Environment
| Source: WaterFurnace International, Inc.
FORT WAYNE, IN--(Marketwire - February 8, 2008) - (www.waterfurnace.com) Geothermal systems
equip homebuilders with heating and cooling solutions that uniquely
position them to meet increased homeowner demands for systems that conserve
energy, reduce operating costs and protect the environment. WaterFurnace (TSX : WFI ), the leading manufacturer of geothermal and water source heat pumps,
will exhibit at the International Builders' Show (level 2, booth W129) Feb. 13-16, 2008.
WaterFurnace offers builders a complete line of comfort
systems, indoor air
quality (IAQ) products and pool heaters in configurations to suit any
home. Successful national and international installations of these products
and the move toward "green" living are generating interest among homeowners
and developers in 100 percent
geothermal housing developments.
-- Geothermal systems capitalize on renewable solar energy stored below the
Earth's surface to provide free, geothermal energy that increases the
efficiency of home heating, cooling and hot water systems in a proven,
cost-effective way.
-- By installing geothermal systems, builders offer homeowners the most
energy efficient and environmentally responsible heating and cooling system
available.
-- A geothermal heat pump provides a positive cash flow for homeowners and
helps utilities achieve significant reductions in their peak demand loads
and carbon emissions.
-- Builders can encourage homeowners to invest a portion of the anticipated
savings (as much as 70 percent for heating, cooling and hot water) in
upgrades to their new home.
-- Geothermal systems enable builders to offer homeowners the quietest home
heating and cooling systems available and important IAQ benefits.
-- Geothermal systems require less maintenance than conventional systems,
providing builders with another important benefit that will appeal to
homeowners.
-- In some cases, homeowners can secure higher prices when it's time to
sell their homes because of the advantages a geothermal system offers.
-- WaterFurnace uses the latest "green" technology to provide the highest
performance ratings in the industry, qualifying homeowners, builders and
building owners for tax credits.
-- Builders can claim a $2000 federal tax credit for homes exceeding the
2004 International Energy Efficiency Code (IEEC) by 50 percent (Energy Star
Homes already exceed IEEC by 30 percent; adding geothermal systems easily
gets homes to the 50 percent level.).
-- Builders also benefit from easy, quick installations of geothermal
systems when ground loops can be planned as part of land development.
QUOTABLE
Bruce Ritchey, CEO, WaterFurnace International Inc.:
"Because geothermal systems rely on a renewable energy source to increase
heating and cooling efficiency, they provide builders with a real
differentiator that is attractive to homeowners. As a result, builders are
generating tremendous interest in their subdivisions by installing
geothermal comfort systems. The benefits of geothermal systems to the
homeowner, including impressive energy savings, lower operating costs,
added comfort and low maintenance requirements, are easy for builders to
identify, verify and explain to potential customers. Tax credits and an
immediate positive return on investment when the system cost is added to
their mortgage make the systems even more attractive to home buyers."
About WaterFurnace
International, Inc.
WaterFurnace International, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of
residential, commercial, industrial and institutional geothermal and water
source heat pumps. Products from WaterFurnace include energy-efficient and
environmentally friendly geothermal comfort systems, indoor air quality
products and pool heaters. WaterFurnace (TSX : WFI ) was founded in 1983, the
company is headquartered in Fort Wayne, Ind. For additional information,
please visit http://www.waterfurnace.com/.