More Peguis, Fisher River First Nations homes to get geothermal heating – Winnipeg Free Press

March 17, 2015

Some 850 Peguis and Fisher River First Nations homes will tap into the earth’s energy for heat with geothermal technology under a new Manitoba Hydro plan.

The homes on Peguis and Fisher will be retrofitted for the technology over the next five years, under a memorandum of understanding signed Tuesday at a news conference with provincial officials and aboriginal leaders.

“Because of the forward thinking of their chiefs and council, the citizens of these two communities will benefit from lower heating bills and increased employment for many years to come,” Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson said.

Geothermal energy is a cost-effective renewable energy source particularly suitable for electrically heated homes to reduce costs. Through the use of a geothermal heat pump, space heating and cooling are provided. Like a refrigerator or air conditioner, these systems use a heat pump to transfer thermal energy between the ground and the building.

Read More: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Peguis-Fisher-River-First-Nations-homes-to-get-geothermal-heating-296588871.html