Wellington Square United Church
- May 19
- Malawi Mission Trip 2012
- May 20
- Food Drive
- May 23
- Big Ideas, Big Faith
- May 25
- Downtown Community Dinner
- May 25
- tgif - Thank God It's Friday Night
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Info About GeoExchange
Providing Heating and Air-conditioning using GeoExchange / GeoThermal Systems
What is geoexchange technology?
Geoexchange technology uses the earth’s renewable energy, just below the surface, to heat and cool a home or building. It’s sometimes referred to as a geothermal heat pump, a ground source heat pump, or green heat. No matter what you call it, geoexchange systems are the best choice one can make for both the pocketbook and the planet. In fact, these systems are so good that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said they are, “the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available today.”
How does it work?
Just a few feet beneath the surface, the earth’s temperature remains fairly constant, ranging from 8º to 12°C year round. Geoexchange takes advantage of this constant temperature to provide extremely efficient heating and cooling.
In winter, a water solution circulating through pipes buried in the ground absorbs heat from the earth and carries it into the building. The geoexchange system inside the building uses a heat pump to concentrate the earth’s thermal energy and then to transfer it to air circulated through standard ductwork to fill the interior space with warmth.
In the summer, the process is reversed: heat is extracted from the air in the building and transferred through the heat pump to the ground loop piping. The water solution in the ground loop then carries the excess heat back to the earth. Electricity is used to operate the ground loop pump and fan.
Which parts of our church will be heated and cooled using Geoexchange?
The best economics for Geoexchange are found when both heating and cooling is needed in the building. Therefore, we are applying this system only to the offices, MacMillan room, new meeting room and new class/rental rooms at the rear of the building. This is about 40% of the building’s floor area (not including the sanctuary).
Is geoexchange new?
The basic technology has been around for more than 30 years, and many homeowners and businesses have been enjoying the benefits of geoexchange for much of that time. There are estimated to be over 1,000,000 GeoExchange installations world-wide applying this constantly-improving technology. Installations viewed by our church’s construction team include a 750,000 square foot hospital, a high school, a commercial building and more.
What are the major benefits to the home/building owner?
Owners enjoy lower utility bills (25% to 70% lower than with conventional systems), lower maintenance, and higher levels of comfort, year-round. They also have the peace of mind of knowing they’re being environmentally responsible.
Since a geoexchange system burns no fossil fuel to produce heat, it generates far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a conventional furnace or boiler, and completely eliminates a potential source of poisonous carbon monoxide within the home or building. Even factoring in its share of the emissions from the power plant that produces electricity to operate the geoexchange system, total emissions are far lower than for conventional systems.
What are the operating benefits for Wellington Square?
By using a Geoexchange system, we’ll use less energy so less will be spent on utilities than we would have. We also expect savings in maintenance. It is estimated that the heating and cooling cost savings will be $2,000 in our first year of operation. Most of the savings come from not using natural gas as the source of heating. As the price of natural gas (the most volatile utility cost) rises over time, the savings will climb. For example, saving $2,000 /yr today means saving $4,158 /yr in fifteen years’ time (using an average annual natural gas cost inflation of 5 %.).
We expect to save costs in maintenance and repair, too. The moving components of a Geoexchange system are all indoors, and are not subject to harsh weather conditions on the roof of the building that conventional equipment would face. They tend to last longer and are easier to access when repair is needed. Overall, the savings over 20 years in operations and maintenance are expected to run between $65,000 and $80,000.
What are the environmental advantages?
Carbon-dioxide (CO2) is released to the environment when we burn fuels like natural gas. CO2 has been identified by scientists the world over as contributing to climate change. Global efforts are underway to lower the release of CO2 into the atmosphere. At our church, a conventional heating system would use natural gas, but the Geoexchange system won’t. Over 20 years, the reductions in CO2 emissions are equivalent to 8,000 propane BBQs or taking 40 cars off the road. This is a clear demonstration of our desire as Christians to be good stewards of the earth we have been given. We are “walking the talk” and showing respect for what God has provided.
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