Knoxville News Sentinel
Knoxville’s future public works complex, already slated to be one of the city’s most environmentally-friendly buildings to date, will become even more energy-efficient thanks to a $240,000 state grant.
The funding will go toward installing a geothermal heat pump, which uses the naturally stable temperature in the ground to heat and cool buildings. Though expensive to install, the geothermal pump will save the city about $3,120 per year over a traditional heating and cooling system, according to city officials.
The grant covers half of the $480,000 to bore holes in the ground and install tubing for the pump, said Erin Gill, director of the city’s Office of Sustainability. The entire public works complex, which is being built on Lorraine Street in phases, will cost $17 million. Demolition at the site began in February.
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