Higher education

There is visible momentum for clean energy solutions in educational institutions. Stakeholders and green rankings are influencing schools to pursue aggressive energy and emission reduction programs. The American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, which pledges schools to achieve climate neutrality, has been signed by 650 institutions. They are acting on their pledge, and LEED projects in this sector are being added daily.

EarthLinked® Commercial Water Heating is particularly well suited to colleges and universities that seek to become more environmentally-friendly while having to manage a tight budget.

Of the array of water-heating systems available to educational institutions, EarthLinked CWH is the most cost-effective. It is less expensive to operate than electric, fuel oil, propane, solar thermal systems (with electric or fossil energy back-up) and even natural gas (using 5-year average prices of natural gas). Its energy cost is stable because most of the heat that it delivers is free renewable energy stored in the shallow earth.

The U.S. EPA has verified 75% electrical savings with EarthLinked CWH compared to electric resistance water heating. This means that for large users of hot water in campus facilities such as student residences, food service, laundry and healthcare facilities, this system can save up to 30% of total energy consumption.

Although the upfront cost is greater than traditional methods because of the installation of the earth loop, that cost is rapidly recovered through monthly cost savings. As a result, EarthLinked CWH systems pay for themselves within 3 to 5 years on average, and sometimes faster, due to lower installation costs or the higher cost of the fuel being displaced. A single 6-ton system can pre-heat 2,500 gallons per day to 110°F, enough for an 80-unit student residence.

Also verified by the U.S. EPA, a single 6-ton capacity EarthLinked CWH unit saves up to 42,600 lbs of CO2 and 90 lbs of NOx emissions per year (the equivalent of displacing 3,630 gallons of gasoline or 74 barrels of oil yearly). The system also contributes to LEED green-building certification and can earn carbon credits for the system owner.

Finally, EarthLinked’s track record of reliability, customer support and technological leadership backs all installed systems to ensure an optimal user experience.