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The ground loop field consists of vertical closed-loop heat exchangers that extract heat from or reject heat to the surrounding earth. The loops are made of plastic pipe that is 1.25 inches in diameter and inserted into vertical wells at a depth of 190 feet. A total of 180 well holes were created to accommodate the nearly 35,000 feet of plastic pipe.
A water solution is pumped through the loop field to move heat between the ground and heat pump equipment in the building. The ends of each loop eventually meet up with the main supply and return headers, which are 6 inches in diameter. An estimated 450 gallons of water per minute flow through these pipes and is distributed to the heat pump units.
There are 58 heat pumps located throughout the school building. These units use the ground loop water as a heat source or heat sink, depending on whether their individual thermostat is calling for heating or cooling.
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