PitCo launches electric-hybrid heating system for library

Pitkin County is enhancing the heating systems at the Pitkin County Library and Health and Human Services Building with modern, electric heat pump technology. 

Heat pumps utilize electricity to move heat efficiently rather than burning fuel, according to a Pitkin County press release. The new system will reduce emissions from the county’s building portfolio by over 30%, in addition to providing more consistent indoor temperatures and improving indoor air quality, according to the release.

These changes follow the determination that the boilers needed replacement, Pitkin County Construction and Assets Director Kevin Warner said. Warner also said that the new technology aligns with the county’s goal of reducing emissions by 90% by 2050. 

“The boilers and heat-producing HVAC systems were at the end of life,” Warner said. “Knowing that, we worked together to try to find a solution that not only provided necessary heating for wintertime use of these buildings, but also brought some real change in the way that we did that. We are really looking to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions from these changes.”

The county’s hybrid strategy means that the buildings’ heat will primarily be generated by the electric pump, which is supported by the region’s clean electric grid. It will only tap into heat from the gas boilers when extra heating is needed during winter’s coldest days. 

“This project allows us to meet an immediate facility need while also moving toward a cleaner energy future,” said Pitkin County Climate Action Analyst Michael Port in the release.

The project was funded by a grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. The grant was issued to help showcase the success of electric heating pumps in the mountains and will serve as an example for other communities considering similar installations, according to the release. 

“This is an opportunity to show that modern electric heating works effectively even in mountain climates,” Warner said. 

The first phase of upgrades at the library began on May 11 and is expected to be completed by the end of June. The second phase will take place from August to October. The library will remain open to the public throughout the process and the project is not expected to heavily impact library use. 

At the HHS building, work will begin on May 18 and is expected to be complete in October. 

A celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Board of County Commissioners is set to occur when the project is complete.