EcoInhabit: Earth Inspired Living

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In 2008, Clarksburg Contractors installed a WaterFurnace geothermal heating and cooling system for EcoInhabit - a retail business with a focus on distribution of eco-friendly and sustainable products. In 2007, EcoInhabit, owned by Jeremy Gourlay, purchased a barn located 4 miles east of Meaford on Highway 26 and converted it to suit the needs of his business by taking it to its bare frame and rebuilding it with recycled or sustainably-produced building, insulation and finishing materials. EcoInhabit sought to provide heating and cooling in-line with its business ethics and found it with Clarksburg Contractors.

Clarksburg Contractors designed a plan and installed two geothermal forced-air heating and cooling systems using WaterFurnace Envision and vertical bore ground loops. For the EcoInhabit gallery loft and retail showroom, Clarksburg Contractors installed an Envision NDV064 unit with hot water assist and a 5-ton vertical core ground loop. This unit provides heating and cooling as well as provide domestic hot water assist using an internal desuperheater while heating and cooling.

For the basement level stable and shop, they installed an Envision NDV038 unit with a 3-ton vertical core ground loop. Both Envision units have the highest ARI/ISO 13256-1 ratings (NDV064 is 29.3 EER & 4.8 COP, NDV038 is 32.1 EER & 5.4 COP) for their capacity. They incorporate Copeland UltraTech dual capacity scroll compressors and variable-speed ECM2 motors for quiet and efficient air distribution. Ozone-friendly R-410A refrigerant is used, which produces higher efficiencies and warmer discharge air temperatures than older refrigerants like R-22.

When asked about the WaterFurnace installation, owner Jeremy Gourlay said, “Having two geothermal separate furnaces, one in the basement level workshop and one for the retail/gallery spaces, allows us to have two different temperature zones.”

“We are extremely happy with the WaterFurnace geothermal heating and cooling systems installed by Clarksburg Contractors. People are amazed at how little we spend on hydro (including a full workshop and retail space – lights, equipment etc.) This is very cost effective for a building of this size which is over 8,000 sq. ft.”