AN-92-11-5 -- Groundwater Heat Pumping: Lessons Learned in 43 Years at One Building PDF

Describes the Commonwealth Building in Portland, Oregon, which featured the first commercial installation of a groundwater heat pump system in the USA. The system uses well water from two separate aquifers to meet the building's heating and cooling needs. Notes significant operations and maintenance issues identified by evaluating the system from a historical perspective. Focuses on system efficiencies, heating and cooling system corrosion, deteriorating well capacity, changes in building loads and the future costs of competing fuels. Sets out some basic design and maintenance guidelines for systems using well water for direct cooling, based on examination of experience with the building.

KEYWORDS: Heat pumps, offices, USA, water heat pumps, ground water, designing, maintenance