Geothermal gives historic train station new life
Geothermal preserves museum artifacts
Topinabee Public Library Restoration
Submitted on 10/10/2007 by Michigan Geothermal Energy Association.
Jim's Handyman & Repair Service of Cheboygan installed a geothermal system in the historic 118-year-old train station in Topinabee so it could continue to be used as a public library and museum. The geothermal systems draws heat from well water, which is discharged into nearby Mullett Lake. The water only undergoes a few degree change in temperature in the process.The combination of GeoExchange and energy-saving cellulose insulation gives the old building a coziness it's never known. And the air conditioning and dehumidification protect precious artifacts and books.
The geothermal system in the restored building allows the building to retain its historic looks, allows the library and museum to be open year round, and will help prevent deterioration of the museum artifacts. His efforts won the Michigan Geothermal Energy Association's Best of Year Award for a commercial geothermal installation.
Operated as a museum and library since the late 1960s, the building had no heat on the museum side, so that part was closed in winter. Now it can remain open year 'round. Says Jim Zwar, owner of Jim's Handyman, "It's nice to be preserving historical memories. We have a habit of bulldozing old buildings."