In response to the comment on the last post, Ron Tola, director of facilities management, tells me that the two units are ground source heat pumps, with one unit for the second floor and another for the third floor of the residence. The lines are buried about 70 feet deep in a “cone” configuration with about 8 vertical members for each unit.
Want to know more about Haverford College’s geothermal wells? Ask the green squirrel.
The word geothermal comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and therme (heat). So, geothermal energy is heat from within the earth. We can use the steam and hot water produced inside the earth to heat buildings or generate electricity. Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source because the water is replenished by rainfall and the heat is continuously produced inside the earth.
1 College Circle has two geothermal wells. They are used to provide 2/3 of the heating and cooling for the house. While modified systems, they provide enough energy to heat and cool the second and third floors.
Other geothermal facts of interest: