LIGO Exploration Center

Photo by LIGO Scientist Keita Kawabe

LIGO Exploration Center (LExC) is located at LIGO Hanford Observatory in Richland, WA. LIGO—short for Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory—is designed to detect cosmic events. The Exploration Center allows visitors to learn about the science behind the LIGO. The project was recently certified LEED Silver and is also a great example of a fossil fuel free building.

ArchEcology assisted the project, designed by Terence L. Thornhill Architects, and built by DGR Grant Construction, with LEED certification process and energy modeling. This process included providing guidance on energy saving HVAC equipment which ultimately led the owner, Caltech, to select a heat pump system instead of gas. The energy simulations we conducted showed substantial energy savings with a heat pump system over the combination system. The system selection ultimately helped Caltech reach their goal of LEED Silver certification.

In eastern Washington, the choice to electrify can be a hot button issue. To lower greenhouse gas emissions, the State of Washington, along with some local jurisdictions, are writing energy codes to discourage use of fossil fuels for heating and hot water. This is often viewed negatively in portions of the state. For some, it’s a political issue, but it’s also based on an outdated belief that the alternate technology of choice—air source heat pumps—do not work in cold climates.  Air source heat pumps are energy efficient and more cost effective than ground-source heat pumps. Variable speed compressors powered by inverters mean heat pumps can work in nearly any climate. Although the efficiency drops at lower temperatures, heat pumps are still considerably more efficient than a dual fuel system.

To be clear, the LIGO team was not trying to make a political statement. The choice to go with an electric system was made for energy efficiency and financial reasons. At the time, the team was largely unaware of the “electrification” movement, which is why it is the perfect case study to demonstrate the capabilities of heat pumps.  When making decisions based on the data, the choice to go electric was clear.