From: Wind Turbine Generates Electricity ... and Civic Pride
District Opts for Geothermal, Too
As part of a project to improve the air quality in its buildings, the Forest City Community School District installed a geothermal heating and cooling system in its elementary school and middle school in 2004.
A cost-benefit analysis for the middle school showed that the geothermal installation would cost 76 cents a square foot, about 40% less than conventional hot-water and chilled-water alternatives.
Installing the new system cost about $1.1 million per building, including the cost to drill 208 wells to a depth of 140 feet for the elementary school, and 240 wells to a depth of 130 feet for the middle school.
Estimated payback is 11 years for the elementary school, longer for the middle school. Because the geothermal system runs only on electricity, rising natural-gas prices won’t directly affect its operating costs.
District Superintendent Dwight Pierson says the geothermal system has lower operating and maintenance costs than conventional alternatives, and a fairly long equipment life. The heat pumps, he says, are expected to last about 19 years.
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September-October 2006
From: Wind Turbine Generates Electricity ... and Civic Pride
District Opts for Geothermal, Too
As part of a project to improve the air quality in its buildings, the Forest City Community School District installed a geothermal heating and cooling system in its elementary school and middle school in 2004.
A cost-benefit analysis for the middle school showed that the geothermal installation would cost 76 cents a square foot, about 40% less than conventional hot-water and chilled-water alternatives.
Installing the new system cost about $1.1 million per building, including the cost to drill 208 wells to a depth of 140 feet for the elementary school, and 240 wells to a depth of 130 feet for the middle school.
Estimated payback is 11 years for the elementary school, longer for the middle school. Because the geothermal system runs only on electricity, rising natural-gas prices won’t directly affect its operating costs.
District Superintendent Dwight Pierson says the geothermal system has lower operating and maintenance costs than conventional alternatives, and a fairly long equipment life. The heat pumps, he says, are expected to last about 19 years.