Ronald McDonald House Charities Atlantic

• The central plant of the project is a hybrid geo-exchange system, combining a geo-exchange heat exchanger with a supplementary electric boiler backup to provide source water to the building loop.
• Residential suites are heated, cooled, and ventilated using vertical water source heat pumps with integral energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), allowing individual control of ventilation rates and heat recovery from exhaust air.
• Main and lower-level common areas are conditioned by horizontal water source heat pumps, with ventilation provided by a central heat recovery ventilator.
• Corridor pressurization from levels 2 to 5 is maintained via a central heat recovery unit.
• A 20-borehole geo-exchange field serves as a heat source and heat sink, backed by an electric boiler.
• Water-to-water ground-source heat pumps provide space heating and cooling, with full heat recovery capability. In-floor radiant heating enhances energy efficiency and comfort.
• A heat pump water heater utilizes the geo-exchange field as a heat source.
• Common areas are ventilated by a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) with dual core 90%+ efficient energy recovery.
• AHU fans and circulation pumps are equipped with variable frequency drives, reducing energy consumption when demands are low.
• A 50 kW Solar PV array is installed on the roof of the building.
• A backup generator ensures operational continuity during power outages.
• Occupancy and daylight sensors minimize lighting energy use.
• The domestic hot water system is primarily served by the geo-exchange loop and supplemented by immersed electric heaters when needed.
• Energy modeling indicates over 60% energy cost savings compared to code, with over 20% of energy produced by on-site renewable sources.

Certification: Zero Carbon Building-Design Certified