‘Green’ heating system on tap for Buck

The William L. Buck School has been chosen to pilot a new geothermal heating and cooling system that, if successful, could save the district money on utility costs and serve as a model for schools across Long Island and the country.

Long Island American Water, which serves as the local water company for most of Valley Stream and surrounding communities, was looking for a small school to try out the new system, which uses water directly from the main to provide warm and cool air. Because this is a pilot program, the water company would install the system in the school at no cost to District 24.

Geothermal systems traditionally use ground water from a separate well to provide heating and cooling. In this case, the system would tap directly into the water main, where the water is normally 54 to 58 degrees. Individual heat pumps in each room would then bring the water to the desired temperature.

Jack DiEnna, executive director of the Geothermal National and International Initiative, said geothermal systems are in place in more than 800 schools in the United States but none like this. The system planned for Buck will not cost as much to install because there won’t be a need to dig a hole for new water well.

“It’s going to become the New York model,” DiEnna said. “If it works, and it’s going to work, it can be used across the country.”

DiEnna said that the system would keep the school at a steady temperature, regardless of the weather outdoors. “The kids aren’t too hot or too cold,” he said. “It gives them an environment of better learning.”

Superintendent Dr. Edward Fale said he is excited to have this system piloted at the Buck School, a 63-year-old building. He said Brooklyn Avenue School was considered, but the age of that building would have made it difficult.

Fale said that while the system wouldn’t provide traditional air conditioning, it would cool the building. He noted the numerous benefits of a climate-controlled school, from using it for summer programs to providing guests with a comfortable environment for sixth-grade graduations.

The water for the geothermal system would come into the building independently from the water used for the other purposes, and would be on its own meter so costs could be monitored. Fale said he expects that the water and electric used to run the system would still be cheaper than natural gas or oil.

The existing boilers will remain in place so Fale said if there is a problem with the system, there is a back-up plan in place. “If it doesn’t work, none of our existing systems are removed,” he said.

Parents from the three elementary schools were able to learn about the plan at a PTA meeting on May 12. Thomas Chen, co-president of the Buck PTA, said he was very pleased that the questions from parents were addressed that night, many of which focused on safety.

Any time something is offered for free, Chen said he wants to know, “What’s the catch?” He said after listening to the presentation, the installation of the geothermal system seems good for the school. “It sounds like it’s a win-win for everybody,” he said. “I’d love to advertise Buck as the geothermal ‘green’ school in Nassau County.”

While designs for the system haven’t been drawn up yet, work is expected to begin after school lets out in June and continue through the summer, with completion expected by September.

“This is a big deal,” Fale said. “It’s an exciting, really fascinating project.”