GEOTHERMAL / GEOEXCHANGE CONTRACTORS SERVING VANCOUVER AND VANCOUVER ISLAND

Ongoing project In the spotlight at EXCHANGENERGY:

200 HOMES IN NEW LEADING-EDGE GREEN COMMUNITY 
TO FEATURE GEOEXCHANGE HEATING AND COOLING

University Heights at Quest University in Squamish

As part of the sustainable design philosophy at University Heights, geothermal / geoexchange systems must be sized to meet 100% of the building loads. Because of this, the developer was able to obtain a cost saving reduction in electrical infrastructure from BC Hydro. The geo systems will not rely on auxiliary heat to meet peak loads, so extra electrical capacity to power auxiliary heat is not required. 

This is a significant benefit to BC Hydro since there will not be an auxiliary spike on top of the electrical peak load in cold weather. This is also a more significant benefit to the homeowners because their systems will always offer the low energy cost of geo regardless of how cold it gets. 

The biggest benefit is that the 100% GHX will operate in a less loaded condition. In a system with the GHX sized at 70% of building load, the boreholes are exchanging heat at or near capacity for most of the heating season. This results in lower borehole temperatures, lower efficiency, and longer run times on auxiliary heat. The proponents of 70% systems say that 100% systems are too expensive, but the extra cost is only a few thousand dollars, and the system will be sustainable for the long term.

At University Heights the geo systems are all independent so that unlike other subdivisions with common systems where the system is financed by third parties and leased back, at University Heights the full savings of geo systems go back to the homeowner.