Found out what the great construction activity was at the Belle Meade Gore mansion. Apparently Al was seriously stung by the Tennessee Center for Policy Research which found he used 221,000 kwh here last year alone, compared to the national average of 10,656 kwh (20 times the average). so he is having a "geothermal" heating-cooling system installed. It involves drilling 27 10" diameter holes to a depth of 300 feet. The temperature down there is a more or less constant 55 degrees. Freon is pumped down to that depth and recirculated through a heat pump system. Normally, a heat pump has to get what heat it can from the ambient air temp in winter (not much there below 40 degrees) or cooling from the air in summer (not much there at 90 degrees). A friend of mine did this twenty years ago and said it really helped cut his electric bill. Don't know the reduction possible from such a system, but assuming a 50% savings, it would cut his consumption to about 100,000 kwh per year. It may never pay off financialy in his lifetime but certianly may politically. But, after all, he is worth between 100 and 200 million, so no prob. The average soul (like me) can't afford to think about such a system, but they do work.
So, in all fairness, I commend old Al for doing the right thing-even if he was shamed into it. Maybe the folks in Sweden will overlook this fact and do as I do in agreeing "If you preach against sin, best to stay out of the -----house!" Bad (Go for it AL!) Bob
A Commendation (of sorts) for Al
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Don Champion
- Ultra Board Poster
- Posts: 1637
- Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2003 2:22 pm
- Location: Salisbury, NC
Drilling in Tennessee for any reason other than likely foundation exploratory holes (small diameter and typically shallow) requires a special permit from the state. This applies to water wells in addition to oil-gas wells. Belle Meade only requires review and permits for above ground construction. EPA gets involved in injection well permitting (that can get into nasty regulatory requirements), but since this is a closed system, EPA permitting may not be required. You can bet the proper authorities are onto it. As to Freon, that is what was stated in the article. They may have said "refrigerant" to the reporter and he read something different. But if all does not go well you can be assured it will be publicized! The Bad One
PS-This AM there were up to 20 trucks there, and even a traxcavator. Requires traffic control so much coming and going. Dust all over! This is going to look a lot better in print than on site!
PS-This AM there were up to 20 trucks there, and even a traxcavator. Requires traffic control so much coming and going. Dust all over! This is going to look a lot better in print than on site!