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From the Ground Up: Ijams' Energy Efficient Cooling System

Wednesday October 26, 2005
Read here to get a behind the scenes look at what goes on at Ijams.

    The EPA considers ground source heat pumps to be the most efficient heating and cooling systems.  These systems are similar to conventional systems, which use an outdoor condensing unit with a fan, except that they use ground temperature that is always 58 degrees Fahrenheit.
    The indoor unit is linked to coiled pipes buried either horizontally or vertically in the ground.  Horizontal piping is buried and can be placed under a parking lot or lawn and even under a pond or river. For vertical piping, bore holes are drilled using well drilling equipment.  Flexible plastic pipe or copper pipe is then installed to carry circulated water or coolant for the system.
     At Ijams, we use water source heat pumps to heat and cool the Visitor Center.  Ground water is pumped from three wells and circulated through eight heat pumps.  The water exchanges heat and is then released into the pond in front of the building.
    The cost of heating and cooling a well insulated building with a ground source heat pump averages one dollar per square foot per year and uses twenty-five to fifty percent less energy.  For those who are building a new home or upgrading an existing heating and cooling system, local utility companies offer incentives or low cost loans for energy efficient systems.  For more information call KUB at 524-2911.

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