Weinberg Investments faced a challenge with an aging heating and cooling system for their 80-unit high-rise apartment complex, built in the 1930’s. In addition to being energy-inefficient, the heating and cooling system could not meet space-conditioning requirements for the facility’s senior residents.
The building had a “two-pipe” heating and cooling system to minimize first cost when it was installed in the early 1980s. The entire building was either in cooling mode or in heating mode at one time, with one switchover in fall and one in spring. This created temperature control problems and persistent complaints from the residents.
Michaels Energy Explores Options
Lew Weinberg, proprietor of Weinberg investments, retained Michaels Energy to explore converting the building’s heating and cooling system to a geothermal heat pump system.
The existing heating and cooling plant consisted of gas-fired steam boilers and an air-cooled chiller. The boilers made hot water, which was circulated to fan-coil units in the apartments and makeup air units serving the corridors. When the system was in cooling mode, the chiller provided chilled water through the same distribution system.