(AP) IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced plans to incorporate geothermal technology into the heating and cooling system of its future Kansas City-area store under construction in Merriam, KS. Related drilling and underground work should be complete by winter, with the system – the largest such project in Kansas or Missouri– ultimately operational when IKEA Merriam opens Fall 2014 as the second U.S. IKEA store tapping geothermal. (Denver-area IKEA Centennial opened with geothermal in 2011.)

“Using geothermal in our Kansas City-area store reflects our commitment to sustainable building practices whenever feasible,” said Mike Ward, IKEA U.S. president. “Fortunately, this location provides an opportunity to maximize IKEA Merriam’s renewable energy potential.”