NYSERDA Press Releases

NYSERDA Provides More Than $78,000 to Jesuit Community at Le Moyne College for Geothermal Technology

Syracuse, NY – Spring isn't the only thing bringing green to the Le Moyne College campus. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today provided more than $78,000 to the Jesuit Community at Le Moyne College to install a geothermal heat pump system into the Loyola Jesuit Residence. Using funds from the New York Energy $mart^SM Program, the faculty residence hall recently renovated its heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system with a geothermal heat pump system. The new system uses the near constant temperature of the earth to heat buildings in the winter and cool them in the summer.

"Geothermal systems and other renewable energy sources are an increasingly attractive option versus conventional technologies because they are cost-effective and environmentally sound," said NYSERDA President William M. Flynn. "As a result of this installation, the Jesuit Community will reduce their overall electricity costs while providing heating and cooling in the Loyola Jesuit Residence without the use of fossil fuels. This is the type of technology Governor Pataki envisions for New York State to be a leader in promoting cleaner, renewable energy sources that ultimately save customers money."

"We are happy to join NYSERDA in its care for the environment," said Father John Breslin, S.J., rector of the Jesuit Community. "Stewardship of the environment is vital, and this project allows us to do our part by conserving valuable natural resources, while reducing our operating costs."

NYSERDA offers technical and financial assistance to evaluate and design energy-efficient and renewable energy options. The customer receives cash back for installing cost-effective electric efficiency measures in new or substantially renovated buildings. Additional incentives are available to make the building "green" by installing renewable technologies such as solar electricity or geothermal heat pump systems.

In the case of the Jesuit Community project, NYSERDA found that a geothermal heat pump system would save an estimated $8,250 in annual electricity costs. The old system, dating back to the original 1990 building construction, consisted of a unitary closed loop water-source heat pump system with gas boiler and evaporative cooler. The new HVAC system, designed by Beardsley Design Associates of Auburn, will consist of a nominal 60-ton closed loop geothermal pump system and will improve heating and cooling in the Loyola Jesuit Residence.

Geothermal heat pump systems are usually configured six feet below the ground, where the earth's temperature remains fairly stable all year. Water-filled pipes are installed into the ground, heating or cooling the water to the temperature of the earth. The Jesuit Community project sends water into pipes more than 400 feet into the earth. A series of pumps force water through the piping "loop" so it can be brought into a building's heating and cooling system to condition the indoor air. During the summer months, excess heat from the building is "shed" into the ground through the system for cooling, while during the winter heat is drawn from the ground for heating purposes.
In 1993, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency declared that geothermal heat pumps were "the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available." The systems are generally 48 percent more efficient than gas-fired heating systems and 75 percent more efficient than oil-fired systems.

"The Jesuit Community at Le Moyne College joins a growing list of New York educational institutions and businesses receiving help to reduce energy costs through the use of renewable energy sources. The installation of a geothermal heat pump also helps conserve other energy sources. More and more institutions such as Le Moyne are learning that New York can be a good partner," said Senator Nancy Larraine Hoffman.

"The geothermal heat pump is yet another example of Le Moyne's attempts to be a good neighbor. The energy efficient, environmentally sound heating system also reflects New York State's efforts to modernize heating technologies for efficiency and cost-saving purposes," said Assemblywoman Joan Christensen. "I hope other organizations in New York State follow the Jesuit Community's lead in its commitment to the community and the environment."

Since 1998, NYSERDA has provided more than $7 million to support more than 185 projects in Onondaga County. Combined with co-funding from NYSERDA's partners, the value of these projects is more than $21 million. Among some of the other customers NYSERDA is working with in Onondaga County, are: Syracuse University, eBidenergy.com Inc., Carrier Corporation, HSBC Bank USA and Kaufmans.

Funding for this project came from NYSERDA's New York Energy $mart^SM program, which is designed to lower electricity costs by encouraging energy efficiency as the State's electric utilities move to competition. The programs are available to all electric distribution customers (residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial) of Central Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland, and Rochester Gas and Electric. All New York Energy $mart^SM programs are funded by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) paid by electric distribution customers of participating utilities. NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation established by law in 1975, administers SBC funds and programs under an agreement with the Public Service Commission. Additional information about these programs can be obtained at www.nyserda.org or 1-866-NYSERDA.

###