The Land Conservancy of New Jersey Constructs Alternative Energy System

Thanks to a grant from the F.M. Kirby Foundation, The Land Conservancy of New Jersey has introduced state-of-the-art energy efficient technologies to our Wild Acres headquarters to minimize our carbon footprint. An innovative approach to energy conservation, a geothermal system will be completely installed on the property within the next week and is expected to significantly reduce our dependence on oil for heat in the winter and the amount of energy used to cool the building in the summer. Geothermal systems are 25-50% more energy efficient than conventional HVAC or oil burning heating and cooling systems. Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) use the constant temperature of the earth, approximately 55 degrees, as the exchange medium, versus the outside air temperature. In this way less energy is spent on increasing or decreasing the temperature indoors in order to provide more comfortable levels at any given time of the year.

Following the initial energy audit of the building by Greenliving Solutions of Ridgewood, NJ, we found that our headquarters lacked sufficient insulation. While heating and cooling typically account for 50 to 70% of the energy used in the average American home, inadequate insulation and air leakage often cause a significant loss of heating and cooling and thus waste energy. In the Conservancy’s quest for greater energy savings, we insulated the entire building prior to May 21st, the firstday of geothermal drilling, in order to improve the new system’s efficiency. For three days, from May 12-15, the interior of the building was draped in plastic covers, holes were drilled in the walls, and walls were filled with blown-in insulation consisting of recycled newspaper. All electronic equipment and other supplies were removed from rooms and our staff was displaced around the building—even outside! There were holes, dust, and workers in hazmat suits everywhere!

Together, these changes will result in significant energy savings and minimize The Land Conservancy’s impact on the environment. Check back for updates on our geothermal well construction.

Holes in the office walls

are shown where blown-in

insulation was installed.

New foam insulation is shown on a

wall. This will help to keep our

building airtight.