Did you know that Canada’s largest urban geoexchange system is currently being built below the University of Toronto’s St. George Campus? What is a geoexchange system? A geoexchange system transfers heat rather than creates it. It harnesses natural heat stored in the ground through a network of underground pipes called a ground loop. There are currently 30,000 residential homes, 6,000 commercial and institutional buildings that are equipped with geoexchange systems that provide both heating and cooling.
Ambitious Climate Plan
The system is part of an ambitious climate plan that the U of T has put together and is part of the university’s ongoing Landmark Project. The construction has been taking place for two years now. During which time crews have bored over 370 well below the centre of King’s College Circle. The University’s goal is the reduce the institutions’ annual greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2024. The pipes reach a staggering depth of 250 meters so to avoid the extreme cold in Canada. Once the outside air goes below 0 degrees Celsius, you start to have the problem of frosting. But at a sufficient depth, the temperature remains constant year-round. The earth is being used as a storage battery for the heart.
U of T’s chief operation officer of property services and sustainability, Rob Saporta, states that the system “serves as a demonstration project for our city to show how you can start to decarbonize not only new buildings, but even the most historic ones.”
Any Suggestions?
Is there a building in Toronto that you would love to see be able to use this amazing system? It will be a fantastic development to be able to use on historic buildings. To find out more news on other new construction in Toronto, click the link here. Looking to find more information on historic buildings in the Toronto area? Email us with any questions you have. We would love to help!
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