Town of Holden
Public Safety Building Committee
Geothermal Meeting Minutes
October 8, 2008
6PM Senior Center
Present: Chairman Chris Lucchesi, Karl Makela, George Sherrill, Jack Chandler, David White, Peter Liddy, Mary Ryan, Richard Bates (left meeting 7PM), Robert Beck,
Absent: Hal Lane, Brian Forts
Others Present: Michael McKeon, Kaestle Boos Associates, Paul McAndrew, Kaestle Boos Associates, Wayne Whippie, WV Engineering, Mark Vincello, WV Engineering, Robert Para, Jr. Lamoureux Pagano Associates, Mike Pagano, Lamoureux Pagano Associates, Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary, Todd Costa, Kaestle Boos Associates, Ken Costello, Kaestle Boos Associates, Gary Kazmarek, Project Management/Clerk of the Works, Karl O, Water Energy Distributors
Others Absent: Corrine Sienna, Kaestle Boos Associates
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:15PM.
Geothermal Energy Presentation
Karl O. with Water Energy Distributors presented Geothermal with Confidence: an overview of geothermal heat pump systems.
Mr. O. explained that geothermal heat systems work on the constant temperature of the earth. At forty to sixty feet, the earth’s temperature remains a constant 50 degrees. Water is also a renewable energy source. Fifty percent of the sun’s energy is absorbed into the water of the earth everyday. Geothermal systems provide the lowest cost heating and cooling and are the best for the air environment.
Mr. O. addressed the three main types of geothermal heating and cooling systems: a closed loop application, a standing well column, or an open re-circulating system. Each method must be evaluated for the application, location and the local geology it will serve in order to determine which system would be best used by the Public Safety Building. He said that the building would use approximately a 40-ton geothermal system. Geothermal will reduce the onsite energy requirement for heating and cooling by approx. 30% compared to conventional HVAC system. If bedrock were hit then the standing column system would be the best option. He recommended Climate Master Heat Pumps. Plastic pipes and copper nickel were also recommended. Web site info and local drilling companies can provide the Committee insight into the
geology on the property.
Geothermal heat can be distributed through ducts, radiant floor, fan coils, baseboards, valances, or in any combination. Radiant floors add 15-20% to total cost of building. Installation of a geothermal heating system would save 35-70% on operating costs and approximately 30-50% in maintenance reductions. Government Green Energy Incentives exist for this type of green energy.
Mr. White opined that the building envelope has been designed so tightly, that it may make geothermal option too expensive for the committee to consider. He said that the cost benefit analysis has shown a 20-22 year payback period with a Closed Loop system. What is making the payback period so long?
Mr. O. said that he did not feel that the purchase of a flat plate exchanger was necessary. This would save approximately 35K. A Closed Loop system would also cost approximately 40K more than a Standing Column system. Ongoing maintenance costs should be less expensive than maintaining a traditional boiler heating system, which should also reduce costs.
Mr. Beck expressed concern with cost of building the building – what will get cut from the project to pay for the geothermal system? Mr. O explained that a geothermal system would cut out certain mechanical costs from the Design Development estimate in order to save money. A geothermal system would not require the purchase of a boiler, chiller, condenser, and certain ductwork.
Mr. McKeon with KBA presented an Energy Model Design Review to discuss on site energy requirements and costs based on the different energy options. Environmental impacts of each system was also presented and discussed.
The Committee agreed after considering the information presented that the Committee should not pursue the Closed Loop geothermal system.
The Committee discussed the installation of a Standing Column geothermal energy system, cost estimates from drilling contractors for 500ft and 1200ft wells, the removal of the flat plate heat exchanger from the KBA estimate, and the redundancy of installing a boiler at the building.
Motion by Dave White, seconded by Karl Makela, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THAT THE PBSC DIRECT THE KBA DESIGN TEAM TO PURSUE THE STANDING COLUMN GEOTHERMAL HEATING SYSTEM AND REMOVE THE FLAT PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER FROM THE DESIGN PLAN.
Motion by Dave White, seconded by Bob Beck, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO RECOMMEND THAT KBA REMOVE THE BOILER FROM THE DESIGN PLAN.
A gas line will still be required on site for cooking and hot water heating purposes.
Clerk of the Works Gary Kazmarek inquired if the current estimates were for Climate Master heat pumps. Mr. Vincello WV Engineering said they were not and would have to re-estimate the current estimate.
Motion by Bob Beck, seconded by Dave White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE OCTOBER 8, 2008 MEETING AT 8:51PM.
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