Thursday, July 29, 2010

Jailhouse Blues...or Green?

Grand Rapids has the most LEED certified buildings per capita than anywhere else in the U.S., true. When we think of those buildings we think hotels, restaurants, offices but what about the jail?

In early May of 2010 construction began to install a geothermal heating and cooling system in the Kent County Correctional Facility Fuller complex. The facility is the second county building to use this alternative energy source the first being the 63rd District Courthouse.

So how does geothermal heating and cooling work? It is all about transferring heat, even cold air contains heat! "The whole process is simply transferring heat from one place to another," said Don Steeby, an associate professor of heating and refrigeration at Grand Rapids Community College. "It is the most sustainable alternative energy available. The heat is always there, regardless if the sun isn't out and the wind isn't blowing."

This new construction is said to provide a less than 10-year payback!

Other locations in Grand Rapids are being looked at (including the zoo) but lack the proper funding to execute.

To read more information on the geothermal facility visit: Mlive

Thank you to Mlive and Consumer Energy for the information!

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