A geothermal heating and cooling system that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the building by 55 percent compared to serving its HVAC needs exclusively with the campus power plant.
Technically called a hybrid ground-source heat pump system, the technology works on the same principle as a window-mounted air conditioner that blows air across tubes filled with a refrigerant under pressure to cool the air in a room and sends the hot air outside.
A geothermal system transfers heat energy stored in the ground.
With a relatively low input of electricity to power the pumps and compressors, it keeps the building in proper balance and dramatically reduces the need for burning fossil fuel.
John Baker - Associate vice chancellor
Suzanne Wood - Associate Director
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