West Virginia Department of Commerce Green Buildings

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Green Buildings



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Green Buildings

Green Buildings - Upperglade Upperglade
An “energy tour” might begin in the central West Virginia community of Upperglade, where Webster County High School is the first school in West Virginia to “go geo.” The school heats and cools with geothermal heat pumps. Like a cave, the ground under the earth’s surface remains at constant temperature year-round; cooler in summer and warmer in winter. In winter, geothermal pumps transfer the subsurface heat into buildings; in summer, they transfer the building’s heat into the ground. Webster County High School’s system uses 240 wells up to 300 feet deep with more than 28 miles of underground piping. Call 304-226-5772 to arrange an in-person tour.

Green Buildings - MorgantownMorgantown

WVU’s Brooks Hall
Saving energy is a “green” idea that has taken root on the roof tops of WVU’s Brooks Hall.

Brooks Hall, West Virginia University, Morgantown: The roof of the West Virginia University Department of Geology and Geography building has been literally going “green” since 2007. The roof atop Brooks Hall has been covered with a waterproof PVC membrane, topped with layers of lightweight growth medium and planted with varieties of drought-resistant sedum. The increased ‘R’ insulating factor from the soil helps reduce heating and cooling costs. The living plants help to control storm water run-off. The PVC membrane is protected from UV rays by the soil covering it, extending the life of the system by approximately 40 percent. The roof is off limits to normal traffic for safety reasons as well as plant protection, but the green roof can be viewed from several vantage points: the Woodburn Promenade, Armstrong Hall and several areas within Brooks Hall, including the bridge connector and fifth floor elevator lobby. For more information and pictures, visit Genuinewv.org/BrooksHall.
Charleston - A Capital Idea!
Charleston is the only state capital with a hydrogen production and fueling station. Based at Yeager Airport, the station uses power from coal-fired electricity to break water molecules (H2O) into separate hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The hydrogen is used to fuel vehicles used by Yeager Airport and by the West Virginia Air National Guard.