Hole behind Lylburn Downing closed; school awaits geothermal test results

By Christina Pratt

A large man-made hole was capped Monday at Lylburn Downing Middle School.

The hole, about 30 feet across and 20 feet deep, was being used for geothermal testing.  The Lexington school system is hoping to heat and cool the middle school geothermally after renovations are completed in fall 2009.

Geothermal heat uses sources of hot water and steam that exist near the earth's surface. The system, referred to as a geothermal pump, uses the stable temperature of the earth a few feet below the surface to pull up available heat in the winter and put heat back into the ground in the summer.

The system differs from a conventional furnace or boiler by its ability to transfer heat rather than produce heat. Proponents of the technology say that as energy costs continue to rise and pollution continues to be a concern, geothermal heating and cooling provides a cost- efficient, environmentally friendly alternative.  

The hole, dug two weeks ago, was blocked off and covered with a makeshift wood and plastic fence. But it caused concern among some school parents because it was located in the middle of students' playing fields. Some considered it a hazard.

Parent Michelle Treger said she was just surprised to see it.

"I think most parents were concerned because they didn't realize what it was at first, and it is in an area where students play."

Lylburn Downing Principal Rich Dowd said the hole was used for thermal conductivity testing, which measures the ability of the ground at a particular site to transfer heat. That's especially important in geothermal applications the size of the one planned for the school, where large amounts of heat will need to move in and out of the ground heat exchanger. The efficiency of the heat exchanger is important in determining its size.

Dowd said test results would be available after the architects on the project meet.
Treger said the project was an annoyance but understands that the inconvenience was necessary.

"They didn't tell us it was going up, and then they said it would only last a few days, and it ended up going over two weeks,"Treger said. "But I guess in the long run it's saving money and it's good for the environment, so they had to do it."

Produced by
Washington and Lee
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