Unity to get geothermal system
TOLONO – Unity High School is going green with a $2.39 million geothermal system that will heat and cool the school while helping the environment.
The Unit 7 school board on Wednesday hired St. Louis-based performance contractor Control Technology and Solutions to replace the mechanicals at the school.
The district was faced with having to replace the outdated two-pipe steam heating system in the 54-year-old school and explored different heating and cooling methods and the costs for each. With the new system, each room will be heated and cooled using water and underground temperatures.
CTS analyzed the high school's energy usage, compared it with other high schools in the area and state and found it to be significantly higher. Using the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Performance Scale, Unity was given an Energy Star rating of 26 out of a possible 100.
Heating and cooling accounts for about 45 percent of the school's energy use.
The new geothermal HVAC system will be sized to accommodate the next two phases of renovations being done at the high school – the addition of a band room and auditorium, followed by the addition of a computer lab/library, cafeteria and kitchen.
The geothermal system will include a well field, the exact location of which has not yet been determined. One possibility would be north of the school's baseball field.
A separate well field could be added for the third phase of construction.
The geothermal system is estimated to provide an annual energy savings of $9,116 over a two-pipe system and to avoid ongoing annual maintenance costs of $9,492.
New electrical circuits and outlets account for about $50,000 of the cost. The new electrical service will be sized for those phases and for the third phase, a 12-classroom addition.
CTS is pursuing applicable grants from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Most of the work will be done after the start of the 2011-2012 school year but will be done after hours to avoid interrupting classes.
MoreWhat a great stroke of luck for the school. I met the author of Geothermal HVAC, the bestselling book at a conference last year and was sold on the technology. I had a geothermal hvac installed in my parents North Forida home, they save money every month, cooling or heating, and the return on investment was incredible. i am glad to see a local government taking advantage of the incredible technology, even if others haven't caught on yet. what a win-win!!
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