11 NOVEMBER 2024 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Geothermal Retrofit for NGWA’s Headquarters Adapted from Information by NGWA The National Ground Water Association’s (NGWA) headquarters, in Westerville, Ohio, broke ground on its geothermal retrofit in 2023. Jackson Geothermal of Mansfield, Ohio, drilled 20 boreholes for a vertical closed-loop system to replace the Association’s outdated heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. Prior to drilling, thermal conductivity was tested and the values were inserted into the model to ensure the loop field will serve the building’s energy needs. Jackson Geothermal drilled the top 65 feet with fluid drilling, then set casing, and drilled out of the casing with air. They used a polycrystalline diamond compact bit to drill the rock formation. After drilling the borehole, the loop was set, the borehole was then grouted from the bottom all the way up to the bottom of the casing at 65 feet. The casing was then removed, and the remainder of the hole was grouted up to the surface. Once they were done drilling, the company started the horizontal piping phase in October 2023, which took about two weeks to complete. Eighteen units (nine furnaces and nine air conditioners) were replaced by nine geothermal units housed in the lower level of the 15,970-square-foot building. The internal conversion was completed by Federal Elite Heating & Cooling Inc. of Pataskala, Ohio. It is expected to generate more than $250,000 in energy savings and a reduction of 640plus tons of carbon dioxide over the next 30 years, according to design estimates. This project was made possible by utilizing the geothermal tax credits available for nonprofit organizations and many industry partners. “We’re excited to showcase our building as the model home for geothermal to industry members, public policy officials, legislators, and the general public,” said NGWA CEO Terry Morse. GEO
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