Features such as an exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS), a green roof, low and non-VOC [volatile organic compounds] paints and coatings, maximized daylighting, a cistern-driven rainwater reclamation sys-
tem, sustainable landscape design, and light pollution-reducing outdoor illumination underscore Metro Tech’s commitment to sustainable building.

A primary feature in promoting energy cost savings, the building includes a high-efficiency HVAC system with an integrated 223-ton geothermal heat pump system from ClimateMaster. The system is comprised of 49 ClimateMaster units, including Tranquility® Rooftop (TRE) package units, TRS horizontal units, and TMW units, all of which include the new environmentally friendly R-410A refrigerant technology.

Dehart Air Conditioning & Mechanical, Chickasha, Okla., a long-time proponent of geothermal and other renewable energy technology, served as the project’s mechanical contracting firm, while also overseeing all testing, balancing, and controls integration. The company additionally served as the LEED-commissioning liaison for the project’s mechanical aspects.

“Our business has been on the cutting edge of installing the latest HVAC systems, including geothermal, since it was founded by my grandfather in 1920,” said Mark Dehart, general manager of operations at Dehart Air Conditioning.

“We see a great deal of opportunity in furthering our geothermal business with companies like ClimateMaster, who are providing the kind of high-quality, reliable, and affordable renewable-energy solutions that contractors are seeking for their sustainable building projects.”

The 49 ClimateMaster units include 40 smaller-tonnage rooftop systems to deliver heating and air conditioning to each individual classroom, and larger rooftop units to accommodate heating and cool-ing needs for the facility’s common areas and kitchen.

All ClimateMaster rooftop units also feature enthalpy-controlled economizers and exhaust fans. In addition, seven ClimateMaster Tranquility 20 horizontal package units were used for the facility’s data/communications and computer rooms. Installed above the ceiling of these rooms, the units provide individual climate-control capabilities to accommodate the critical temperature needs of the sensitive equipment.

In addition, two ClimateMaster Tranquility TMW 360 and TMW 170 modular water-to-water series hot-water generators complete the HVAC system configuration.

To link the ClimateMaster units to the building’s energy management controls system, Dehart Mechanical employed ClimateMaster’s factory-installed DDC control.

“These allow building operations management staff to monitor the functionality of each and every unit, including remotely from any computer or mobile device that has an Internet connection,” Dehart said.

Dehart Mechanical also coordinated with B&H Mechanical, Washington, Okla., on the design and installation of the ground-loop well field, including all external well drilling and internal connections to the mechanical room. The 300-foot deep, 121 vertical well-bore system includes a 610-foot vertical loop and approximately 80,000 feet of 1-, 1 ¼-, 1 ½-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 6-inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe buried at a 48-inch depth.

Overall, the well field was designed to accommodate the 175-ton capacity of the building’s HVAC system, as well as 17 tons of hot water heating.

To house the majority of the connecting pipes and allow for easy access to circuit flow control valves and system monitoring equipment, B&H Mechanical also developed an innovative poured-in-place, steel-lined concrete vault built to custom dimensions onsite. “The vault was custom built in a 15-by-10-by-15 foot area, and constructed of approximately 15 yards of concrete and 1,500 feet of steel rebar,” said Scott Munday, drilling operations at B&H Mechanical.

The interior HVAC system is tied to the vault via two 6-inch polybutylene supply and return pipes, which feed into the heating and air conditioning units via a variable-frequency drive (VFD) pump. The pump automatically recognizes the required number of supply gallons required for the current HVAC operating tonnage, and can adjust the water supply as the units come on and offline.

“The VFD enables the pump to change speeds and adjust water flow to the individual units as demand increases or decreases,” Munday said.

“This results in significant cost savings by reducing the amount of water being pumped to only that which is needed, and thus also reducing energy costs associated with heating and cooling the building.”

All Metro Career Academy systems are now in full operation. According to Melanie Stinnett, chief officer, Environmental Safety and regulatory affairs, Metro Tech, ClimateMaster’s system is expected to make the new building a “star performer” among all the existing Metro Tech educational buildings in respect to energy savings.

“So much of this building’s energy-efficiency goal depends on the geothermal energy source itself, and we anticipate being pleasantly surprised when we review the heating and cooling costs following our baseline year.” Stinnett said.

Stinnett also shared her excitement to authentically expose students at Metro Career Academy to the latest in sustainable and energy-efficient building design.

“We have sections of the walls that are plexiglass, allowing students and visitors to witness the behind-the-scenes inner workings of our green building. It’s a great way to show our students that sustainable building concepts can be real, everyday practices, and to even encourage them to consider the potential career opportunities of this discipline.”

According to Dehart, Climate-Master’s support throughout the project, coupled with the quality of the company’s products, resulted in a streamlined process from the specification phase through installation and unit start-up.

“ClimateMaster has designed units that are well laid out, contributing not only to the overall quality of the product, but also to the ease of the technician in working on it,” said Dehart.

“The controls are easy to get to, the geothermal connections can accommodate a wrench, the wires are color coded, and these and other attributes made our first experience with this particular package unit a very positive one.”

Publication date: 6/10/2013 

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