“Using geothermal in our Kansas City-area store reflects our commitment to sustainable building practices whenever feasible,” said Mike Ward, IKEA U.S. president. “Fortunately, this location provides an opportunity to maximize IKEA Merriam’s renewable energy potential.”

This closed-loop ground-source heat pump system involves drilling 180 boreholes, six inches in diameter and 600 feet deep, into the earth across part of the 19-acre IKEA property. Pipes placed into these boreholes will form an underground network of loops for circulating 36,000 gallons of heat-transferring liquid (a water-based, anti-freeze solution) connected to 64 forced-air heat pumps to cool and heat the store. This system also includes five hot-water heat pumps to provide potable hot water needed for the store’s lavatory and restaurant operations.

For the development, design, and installation of the Merriam store’s customized geothermal project, IKEA contracted with Colorado-based Major Geothermal, a leading integrator of geothermal heat pump system design and installation, with experience on projects in Asia, Europe, and North America.

Consistent with the company’s goal of being energy independent by 2020, IKEA noted that globally it has installed more than 300,000 solar panels, owns/operates approximately 137 wind turbines in Europe, and has geothermal systems at approximately 50 locations.

The Merriam store also is being evaluated for solar potential.

For more information, visit www.ikea-usa.com.

Publication date: 9/30/2013

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