Geothermal Work

Horgan Mechanical has in recent times been at the cutting edge in the installation of geothermal systems utilising alternative energy. For further information on geothermal work, please contact Bill O'Connell at (021) 451 0005 or (087) 276 8863.

Lifetime Labs, Lee Road, Cork

This is a completely carbon neutral building developed by Cork County Council in the old City Waterworks, Lee Road, Cork.
The geothermal system utilises the nearby River Lee as a heat source operating through the two heat pumps to supply the heating for the building. Domestic hot water is provided by solar panels with a high efficiency gas bolier as back-up. Electrical power for the mechanical plant is provided by a small hydro-electric plant and photovoltaix panels. The entire system is controlled by a full BMS system, which is connected via the internet to the Mechanical Engineering Dept in UCC, and is used by the students as part of their studies.

Cliffs of Moher Visitor's Centre, Co. Clare

This is a new award winning interpretative centre for the Cliffs of Moher, developed by Clare County Council.
The heating and cooling for the building is provided by a geothermal system, which simultaneously provides heating and cooling water for the air conditioning. The system operates through a 75m x 40m pipe array located 2m under the grassed area in the main car-park. This is one of the largest alternative energy systems ever installed in this country, with a load capacity of 151KW. Domestic hot water is provided by solar panels with a high efficiency gas boiler as back-up.

Tory Top Road Library, Cork

This is a replacement library located on an existing corner site, developed by Cork City Council.
The heating for the building is provided by a geothermal system utilising two bore wells, located in the grounds of a public park, acrioss the road from the library.

Client:New Government Offices, Blackpool, Cork
Value:g3.5 million
Architects:Jack Coughlan & Associates
Mechanical Engineers:Arup, Cork

Total mechanical services installation comprising of 285 fan coil units over four floors supplying conditioned air to both open plan and private offices. plantrooms comprising of chillers, air handling units, boilers,
distribution ductwork and piped services along with a intergrated building management operating system serve the building. Sanitary ware,waste pipework and cast iron rainwater pipework were also completed on the project.

Client:Lifetime Labs, Lee Road, Cork
Value:j0.5 million
Architects:Jack Coughlan & Associates
Services Consultantss:Project Management, Cork

The development by Cork Corporation revitalised and ensured the survival of this landmark Victorian facility. Daily tours and lectures are conducted particularly suitable for secondary school children and college students.

The geothermal system consisted of three submersible well pumps which brought water from the adjoining River Lee though heat pumps to a buffer vessel which in turn provided the underfloor heating requirements of the four onsite buildings. The buffer vessel is also heated by solar panels and also by a small backup gas fired boiler. This system supplies the total heating requirements of the site.

The design team were in receipt of various awards for this project.

Client:Boole Library, University College Cork
Value:j0.7 million
Architects:Jack Coughlan & Associates
Mechanical Consultants:Arup, Cork

A 600KW steam absorption chiller was installed in 2004 on the roof of the Boole Library at UCC. This was an appropriate choice as the University had spare capacity of steam at a time of the year when cooling was a requirement in the library. This chiller is the biggest of its type installed in this country. This complex installation incorporating highly sophisticated building management systems, air handling systems and steam and condensate networks delivers comfort conditions during the summer months to the students and staff of the library.

This contract was worth h0.7m to Horgans and was commissioned working closely with Arup, the mechanical consultants and the client. The overall package included builders work, electrical work and the building management system.

Client:Cliffs of Moher Interpretative Centre, Co. Clare
Value:j1.5 million
Architects:Reddy O’Riordan Staehli Architects
Services Consultants:Project Management, Cork

The new centre opened in 2007 has been built into the cliff and contains the newest technology in audiovisual equipment. The Cliffs Of Moher is the most visited tourist location in Ireland and many years elapsed before the final design was approved for this prestigious contract.

The geothermal system has an extensive array of pipework buried in the grassed area adjoining the building. The water from this passes through buffer tanks and connects to a chiller to provide cooling and through a heat exchanger to provide heating. An array of solar panels is located on the cliff face to supply domestic hot water. A gas fired boiler serves as a backup when the solar energy is not available. Six air handling units are located in the plant rooms to provide ventilation and fan coil units in the offices and audiovisual control rooms. The building management system monitors all mechanical systems including the wastewater treatment plant. A wet sprinkler system was installed in all areas as part of our overall contract.

The building is already in receipt of international design awards.

Client:A&E Department, Mercy University Hospital, Cork
Value:j0.7 million
Architects:Reddy O’Riordan Staehli
Consulting Engineers:VMRA, Cork

The mechanical services contract included heating, ventilation, air conditioning and medical gases installation. This new unit replaces the existing facility and includes the latest technology available. The medical gases installation includes for a new plant room with an air compressor and filters. A nitrous oxide evacuation system is installed.

The isolation wards have hepa filters installed on the supply and extract air ducts. Connections to existing services had to be carried out in a working hospital environment. A new chiller was installed at ground floor level and three air handling units nearby. Fan coil units were installed in the x-ray unit and resuscitation ward.

Client:Cliffs of Moher Interpretative Centre, Co. Clare
Value:j1.5 million
Architects:Reddy O’Riordan Staehli Architects
Services Consultants:Project Management, Cork

Client:Thurles Community Hospital, Co. Tipperary
Value:j1.1 Million
Architects:Reddy O’Riordan, Staehli Associates    
Consulting Engineers:Delap & Waller,

Client:Government Offices, Waterford
Value:j1.7 Million
Architects:Dalton O’Donoghue, Kilkenny
Consulting Engineers:VMRA, Cork

Client:Galway Civic Museum, Galway
Value:j0.5 Million
Architects:OPW Dublin
Consulting Engineers:O’Brien & Associates

Client:Health Centre, Nenagh General Hospital, Tipperary
Value:j0.5 Million
Architects:Homan O’Brien & Associates, Dublin
Consulting Engineers:Michael J Farah & Associates, Tipperary

Client:Cope Foundation, Montenotte, Cork
Value:j0.9 Million
Architects:RKD Architects, Cork
Consulting Engineers:Arup, Cork

Client:Banaghan’s Warehouse, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
Value:j0.5 Million
Architects:Noel Lawlor, Kilkenny
Consulting Engineers:Bluett O’Donoghue, Kilkenny

Client:University College Cork
Project:Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning     
Value:£3.5 million
Consulting Engineers:JODA

Client:Dunnes Stores, Bishopstown, Cork
Project:HVAC, Mechanical Services     
Value:£800,000
Consulting Engineers:VMRA, Dublin

Client:Civic Museum, Galway
Project:Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning     
Value:£1.5 million
Consulting Engineers:Cuthbert Condron & Associates

Client:Civic Offices, Waterford
Project:HVAC, Mechanical Services