Geothermal Heat System
A Syracuse engineering firm has recommended that the city of Watertown, New York purchase a geothermal heating system to heat and cool City Hall and the neighboring library. The project would have a higher upfront cost then just replacing the aging HVAC multizone system with a more traditional one, but a geothermal system is expected to save the city over $18.000 a year in energy costs.
If the city decides to proceed with the project, a water-looping system would be installed to take advantage of constant temperatures 4 to 6 feet below ground to heat buildings in winter and cool them in summer. The annual savings from a geothermal system could rise significantly, up to $33,000 a year, if the city also proceeds with upgrades to windows, roofs and walls of both buildings.