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Geothermal

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1. What is included in the arena renovation?

The project will include the replacement of the refrigeration floor piping, all mechanical room components (compressors, pumps, etc.), cooling tower, dasher boards and glass, arena roof top heating units and other skating center roof top heating and cooling units more than 10 years old. The new ice surface will have a concrete base instead of the current sand base.

2. Why are we doing this project now?

The refrigeration system and dasher board system are 25 years old or more and are in need of replacement. The banquet facility roof top units will also be replaced in order to take advantage of the efficiencies available by connecting it to the geothermal refrigeration system. The late summer time frame was selected as the time frame with the best options of securing ice at alternate locations for our user groups.

3. How will this impact ice quality?

The number one priority with this project was to maintain the high standard of ice quality that Roseville Arena users have enjoyed for decades. The project was designed from the beginning to be able to achieve this standard. Harty Mechanical and KFI Engineering have assured us that we will continue to be able to provide this high quality ice while reducing utility consumption.

4. What is a geothermal system?

Geothermal systems are an alternative way to heat and cool buildings efficiently. Instead of burning fossil fuels, which can be costly and harmful to the environment, geothermal systems use the natural energy of the earth to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. While temperatures above ground change a lot from day to day and season to season, temperatures in the upper 10 feet of the Earth's surface hold nearly constant between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. For most areas, this means that soil temperatures are usually warmer than the air in winter and cooler than the air in summer. Geothermal heat pumps use the Earth's constant temperatures to heat and cool buildings. They transfer heat from the ground (or water) into buildings in winter and reverse the process in the summer.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), geothermal heat pumps are the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective systems for temperature control. Although, most homes still use traditional furnaces and air conditioners, geothermal heat pumps are becoming more popular. In recent years, the U.S. Department of Energy along with the EPA have partnered with industry to promote the use of geothermal heat pumps.

5. What is the advantage of the geothermal system?

A geothermal system is three to four times more efficient than the most efficient conventional system. Because geothermal systems do not burn fossil fuels to make heat, they provide three to four units of energy for every one unit used to power the system. Direct use and heating applications have almost no negative impact on the environment.

Even when it's very cold outside, heat needs to be extracted from the surface of the ice to maintain the skating surface. This heat can be captured and used to heat the building, provide snow melt on the outside sidewalks or heat a building next door. If it can't be used, the heat is stored in the earth loop around the building, ready to be used when needed. Instead of spending money to get rid of the heat you take out of the ice and then using more energy to heat the building, the geothermal system recycles the heat inside the building. It leaves more of the budget to promote the rink and skating programs and it's a lot better for the environment. Integrated Systems can get up to 7 units of energy for each unit of electricity purchased.

The Roseville Arena geothermal system is the first phase of what may become a campus wide heating and cooling system. The waste heat from the Arena and eventually the OVAL refrigeration systems could provide enough energy to heat City Hall and the maintenance garage.

6. What is the estimated annual savings?

Harty Mechanical has guaranteed a minimum annual utility savings of $23,400 per year. As utility prices increase in the future, cost annual savings will increase as well.

7. What is the budget for the project?

The budget for the entire project is $ 2,177,400.

8. Are you making other improvements too?

Yes. Because a great deal of demolition is necessary for this project, Skating Center staff will be doing a few other much needed improvements. The player benches will each be extended 6 feet to easily accommodate the teams using the facility. The north parking lot lighting will also be updated. We will be removing the old stadium style lighting and replace it with more efficient lighting to reduce light pollution in surrounding neighborhoods.