Geothermal wells to provide highly efficient heating and cooling for Public Works Operations Center

A geothermal heat pump system doesn’t create heat; it simply moves it. It’s a remarkably efficient process that relies on the ground’s consistent temperature, which remains relatively stable year-round. This constant thermal reservoir allows geothermal systems to operate with incredible energy efficiency. Image credit – Eaton Well Drilling and Pump Service

Work is progressing on the Public Works Operations Center (PWOC) near NE 202nd Street and 66th Avenue NE, just south of Kenmore Middle School. Designed with sustainable features including geothermal heating and cooling, the project reached a major milestone this week with 50 percent of the geothermal wells completed.

The system includes 18 wells drilled more than 300 feet deep, each containing a U-shaped tube nearly the height of a 30-story building that captures the earth’s natural heat to warm and cool the facility.

Installed at depths of 100–400 feet, where ground temperatures remain constant (about

50f, a fluid (water or environmentally friendly antifreeze) circulates through pipes to absorb heat from the earth for heating, or release heat into the ground for cooling.

In Winter (Heating): The ground stays warmer than the cold air. The fluid circulating in underground pipes absorbs this natural warmth. The fluid is then pumped to an indoor heat pump, which concentrates the heat and distributes it through the building for consistent warmth.

In Summer (Cooling): The process reverses. The fluid absorbs excess heat from your indoor air and transfers it into the cooler ground, which acts as a heat sink. The cooled fluid then returns to your home, providing cooled air conditioning.

All wells are expected to be completed by the end of February, with full construction anticipated to wrap up in 2027. When complete, the PWOC will provide modern, consolidated facilities designed to better support the community’s growing infrastructure needs.