One Florida McDonald's Is Going Green
A McDonald's in Pensacola is digging 55 holes 350 feet deep in the ground to tap into some geothermal energy. The idea is to use the Earth's constant temperature for heating and cooling.
Geothermal technology is proven to cut heating and cooling costs by as much as 50 percent by using the earth's constant, mild temperature to heat or cool water through underground loops. The loops simply use the water to move heat from the earth to the building in the winter and from the building to earth in the summer. In comparison, traditional commercial air conditioning systems are often installed on the roof top where temperatures may soar on a hot summer day. The significant energy savings of the geothermal system - as well as the projected life of the loops of more than 50 years - offsets the higher initial cost of the loop system.It'll be interesting to see how well it works for the McDonald's and if it'll be implemented elsewhere. We're not even sure it could work in South Florida, since the area is pretty low-lying. As in, if we dig 55 feet down, there will be lots and lots of water involved.
Owned by John and Susan O'Connor, this will be the first McDonald's restaurant in Florida with geothermal heating and cooling when it opens later this year. Gulf Power Company and McDonald's Corporation will monitor the system the first year of operation to determine specifications for the most energy efficient system to meet McDonald's needs as well as energy savings.
