"First Unitarian Society of Madison - As part of our intent to live our commitment to social justice and the web of life, we chose to be certified by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). LEED certification guidelines help ensure that the design, construction, and operation of green buildings benefit both people and nature. Our decision for LEED certification results in greater health for our congregation, lower operating costs, and a reduced impact on the environment."

Geothermal at FUS

geothermal diagram First Unitarian's new geothermal heating and cooling system makes use of 16 wells bored to a depth of 250 feet below our parking lot. In winter, treated water is pumped through these wells in a closed loop and moved to heat pumps which extract heat and circulate it through in-floor tubing beneath the new Auditorium and the Commons. This radiant heating system, similar to what is used in the Landmark Auditorium, will provide an efficient, comfortable source of heat during the winter months.

In the summer, the system works in reverse, pulling heat from our building and transferring it via the heat pumps to the ground below the parking lot, thus keeping our buildings cool in the summer.

This new heating and cooling system uses electricity to run the pumps and fans and thus consumes no natural gas or fuel oil directly though some is used in the production of electricity. Overall the system is much more energy efficient than a conventional design based on the best high efficiency gas furnaces.

The incremental "first cost" of this system versus a more conventional design was $150,000 but every year, the energy savings more than pay for the amortized initial cost of the system. Looking at it a different way we will earn our initial investment back in energy savings within 12 years, less if the cost of natural gas continues to climb.

In addition, every year it helps us emit 134 fewer tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, a CO2 reduction of 40%.

Resources

Geothermal at FUS