Case Studies

International Ground Source Heat Pump Association Case Studies

The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association(IGSHPA) features several case studies on their website.

Including one where "Park Chase Apartments spreads out over 27 acres and consists of 64 buildings containing 348 apartments. It was renovated beginning in 1991, and the GHP retrofit is currently saving the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) close to $60,000 annually. "

But the most interesting is probably The Galt House East.  It is said to be the largest geothermal heat pump in the world (or at least it was when the case study was published) and provides heating and cooling to over 960,000 square feet of indoor space.  Notably because of the use of geothermal "Heating or cooling is available at any time in any zone."

The case study concluded that the following benefits were associated with the Geothermal Heat Pump installation.

Galt House East Hotel

"Lowered utility costs by: $272,702/year. 

Electrical demand reduced by: 1,100 kW (August).

This represents a50% reduction over the original Galt House Hotel which was constructed in 1970.

Energy savings of: 5,590,377 kWh/year.

Incentive program: No utility rebates."

Galt House East Hotel &Waterfront Office Buildings

"Lower operation maintenance costs: Particularly on large projects that would typically have centrifugal chillers and more complicated systems.

Lower capital cost: Saved $500/ton for a total savings of $2,2s0,000.

Durable long life: The estimated life of the units is expected to be the life of the buildings.

Simultaneous heating & cooling: Heating or cooling is available at any time in any zone.

Smaller mechanical rooms: Provided 25,000 more square feet of rentable space.

Environmentally safe: Meets new government energy standards, the GHP refrigerant circuits are precisely sealed at the factory and will seldom require recharging."