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To Our Neighbors on Prairie Wind Drive:
We know you must be watching with interest as Freedom Elementary takes shape. One of the most remarkable features will be its geoexchange heating and cooling system – the world’s most efficient way to heat and cool buildings, including schools. The piping necessary for this system will be installed over the next several weeks, so we wanted to answer some questions you may have about the process before drilling actually begins.
When and where will the geoexchange pipes be installed, and what does the process involve?
- CanAmerica Drilling will begin work in late January. Drilling will continue for approximately four weeks, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- The drilling area, called a bore field, is immediately behind the homes on Prairie Wind Drive.
- CanAmerica will drill 50 holes, each 400 feet deep.
- Each hole will be roughly 5 inches in diameter and will house a 1 ¼ inch pipe loop surrounded by thermally conductive grout.
- Progression of the drilling will most likely be south to north.
- If days are lost due to bad weather, some drilling may be done on Saturdays.
What is geoexchange technology?
Energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, geoexchange technology taps the renewable, safe and virtually endless energy supply that lies just below the Earth’s surface to provide heating in winter and cooling in summer with energy consumption 25 to 50 percent less than traditional oil, natural gas and electric heat pump systems.
How does it work?
Below the frost line, the Earth maintains a relatively constant temperature that is warmer during winter months and cooler during summer months than surface temperatures. Geoexchange systems take advantage of this temperature differential by pumping heat from or to the Earth. In winter, warmth is drawn from the Earth through a series of pipes. A heat pump circulates this thermal energy and transfers it to air circulated through interior ductwork. In the summer, the process is reversed; heat is extracted from air inside the building and transferred to the Earth by way of the same piping.
What are the advantages of geoexchange heating and cooling systems?
Using geoexchange technology means:
- classroom comfort and user satisfaction from individually controlled units, allowing each teacher to control the climate in his or her classroom
- no need for fossil fuel combustion
- a system that is compact and quieter than traditional systems
- minimal maintenance
- surfaces above the ground loop can be used for athletic fields, parking lots, walking paths or courtyards
Is geothermal a proven technology for use in schools?
Yes. Geoexchange technology earns high marks for energy efficiency, reliability and operating and maintenance costs in school districts across the United States – over 600 schools in 39 states - making it the most educated choice for heating and cooling schools.
That means more than a million students and 50,000 teachers already work and study in an environment heated and cooled by geoexchange systems. When it opens in August, Freedom Elementary, too, will be a lean, green learning machine!
Why did District 11 select geothermal technology for Freedom Elementary?
District 11 installed a geoexchange system at its Facilities, Operations and Transportation Center (FOTC) on Geiger Blvd., which was financed by the 1996 bond program and completed in 2000. Due to its efficiency and high user satisfaction, district officials made the decision to equip Freedom Elementary, and also McAuliffe Elementary in Cimarron Hills, with this technology. Learn more about the FOTC project at www.d11.org/fotc/energy/.
If you have questions about Freedom Elementary School, please contact District 11 Project Manager Terry Johns at 477-6057 or johnstp@d11.org.