Thermal Solar System
University of Indianapolis Thermal Solar System
The Client
The University of Indianapolis is a private 4-year university with about 5,400 students on the main campus just south of downtown Indianapolis. 84% of freshmen and 51% of full-time undergrads live on campus, in 7 residence halls and 58 apartment units. UIndy is a great example of environmental stewardship, with several buildings retrofitted and/or constructed with aerated concrete to dramatically insulate and reduce energy consumption. UIndy has been designated an Environmental Development Partner by Modern Thermal Design (formerly, Solar America Solutions).
The Challenge
In the summer of 2012, UIndy was building Roberts Hall, their first dorm constructed from the ground up with aerated concrete. Although they expected significantly lower space heating bills, hot water usage remained a challenge. Roberts Hall is home to 200 upper-class students (sophomores – seniors). Each of the 4 occupied floors has private baths, laundries, and kitchenettes. UIndy wanted a way to offset up to 50% of their natural gas usage to provide hot water to student residents.
THE SOLUTION
A SunQuest 250TM Solar Thermal system to heat domestic hot water into 750-gallon storage tanks to provide a 120° final mix for student showers, laundry, and kitchenette use.
The Result
In August, when students moved in for the fall semester, 100% of hot water usage was provided by 10 SunQuest 250TM thermal panels. Over the course of that school year, the UIndy installation provided 60%+ of student hot water needs.