The Geothermal system has allowed the Earth Rangers Centre to displace 90% of its natural gas consumption, drastically reducing the carbon footprint of the ERC’s operations.
These wells allow the ERC to be cooled exceptionally efficiently. When humidity levels allow, thermal energy can be directly moved from the building to the ground without the use of refrigeration equipment.
This “free cooling” is up to 15 times more efficient than when the heat pump needs to operate. This means that for every unit of electrical energy put into the system, over 70 units of thermal energy are removed from the building.
Earth Rangers Geothermal System
The Earth Rangers Centre’s space heating and cooling needs are met by a ground source heat pump system, coupled to thermal mass radiant concrete.
The system consists of 44 wells, varying in depth from 120 to 165 meters deep. Spaced 6 meters apart, the location of each well has been located with GPS in case maintenance or repair of a well is required.
The wells run through glacial till, shale, sand and limestone, as well as the local water table’s aquifer.
12 temperature sensors were distributed throughout the field, so that the building automation system can track the long term thermal performance of the system.Drilling started in December of 2010, and was completed during the upgrade of the parking lot.
In heating mode, the use of the geothermal system is effectively 3.5 times as energy efficient as using natural gas. However, electricity costs more than natural gas, so the savings are accumulated over time.
The ground source heat pump system is an integral part of the ERC’s energy efficiency, contributing greatly to an Energy Star rating of 95, and to continual reductions in the building’s carbon footprint.