Geothermal Heat Pump Case Studies

Bellevue Public Schools
Geothermal Heat Pump Case Study:
OPPD designed and installed a 117-ton-capacity geothermal heat pump system in the Bellevue Schools' Lied Activity Center and an 87-ton unit in the Welcome Center. Geothermal systems can save nearly 40 percent of building energy costs compared to a conventional HVAC system, according to an OPPD study. The systems are economical because they take advantage of the earth’s constant temperature below the frost line and use it for comfort conditioning inside the buildings.

Offutt Air Force Base Dormitory
Geothermal Heat Pump Case Study:
OPPD conducted a study to determine the most energy-efficient heating–and-cooling system for three dormitories at Offutt Air Force Base, and the geothermal heat pump system came out on top. The evaluation considered and compared three HVAC alternatives to the existing system to determine which was the most energy efficient. Analysis results indicated that the geothermal heat pump system was the most energy-efficient alternative. The system ranked highest primarily because it eliminated natural gas as a heating source.

Westside High School
Geothermal Heat Pump Case Study:
Statistics show that by installing a geothermal heat pump system, Westside High School reduced its annual energy costs by $29,500, while adding 80,000 square feet of educational space during its recent renovation project. Westside energy personnel estimate that the school will save between $1.5 and $3 million in energy and maintenance costs over the next 20 years with this installation.

Quality Living Goes Geothermal
With Savings to Boot:
Quality Living is a nonprofit agency that provides housing, education, rehabilitation and other services to young adults who have suffered traumatic brain injuries. The facility is heated and cooled by a 240-ton geothermal water-source heat pump system. This mechanical system was selected to provide highly dependable and cost-efficient heating, cooling and ventilation for the facility.