Kleinfelder provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems design for a new 40,000-square-foot office and garage building for the Lancaster Water Authority. As part of sustainability initiatives, this new facility focused on energy efficiency. Alongside design, commissioning and construction administration services were performed.

Building Energy Services and Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Design

Prior to beginning the design work, Kleinfelder performed a building energy model using the schematic architectural package. This model was used to evaluate multiple mechanical system options, as well as the architectural assembly composition to aid in the decision-making process on window and insulation performance. The results of the energy model led to the building being served by a series of geothermal water source heat pumps.

The geothermal loop has a number of vertical wells that are supplemented by a cooling tower and boiler plant to boost the capacity of the system for design cooling and heating days. This leads to a three-stage system, with the condenser water loop bypassing the well field as the first stage, the second stage using the geothermal well field, and the third stage supplementing the well field using either the cooling tower or boiler plant. This is done to maximize the energy efficiency over each of the load conditions the building will experience.

Functional Testing

Numerous site visits were performed to verify the construction was being performed per the contract documents, with site visit reports and photos being issued to the design team and contractor for any items that required correction.

As construction neared completion, Kleinfelder performed functional testing on all the major mechanical equipment to help ensure that this complex mechanical system was functioning as designed so the projected energy savings for the building could be achieved.

Project Results

As a local community focused on sustainability, the Lancaster Department of Public Works chose energy-saving practices and geothermal water source heat pumps as part of its new 40,000-square-foot Water Authority building. This modern design was verified to perform it functioned with the projected energy savings.

Project Details

Location:
Lancaster, PA
Owner:
Lancaster Department of Public Works