Direct Heat Geothermal Installation Preserves a Historic Building

Abstract

Salt Lake City has some of the best examples of 19th Century architecture in the American West, but rising energy costs threaten their economic viability and survival. A local law firm chose to integrate geothermal resources into a restoration in an unusual way. The City of Salt Lake cooperated by installing a heat exchanger around a major sewer line, allowing the sewer line to act as a very efficient ground-source/sink. A second set of ground source coils were installed in the trench above the sewer line to increase capacity. A third heat source/sink was constructed in the basement using fresh water that is then used for irrigation or domestic purposes. The result is a grand old building kept in use, using 30% less energy and more comfortable than ever.