Commercial Architecture July 2017 - 24

PROJECT

hvac

Fishing For Energy-Efficient Heating
A Weil-McLain boiler system works for an aquaponics farm.

hifting a career focus from soybeans and corn
to tilapia and lettuce, the Goodenough family
was in unchartered waters as they began a new

venture into aquaponics farming. An advanced building-control system using Weil-McLain, Burr Ridge, IL,
Evergreen boilers helped ensure smooth sailing for the
first growing season.
The Goodenoughs are a fourth and fifth generation
farm family in Mindoro, WI, located on the west side of
the state. The farm began with raising hogs and cows,
then later moved to a corn and soybean operation, and
now is an aquaponics grower. The catalyst for the move
to aquaponics occurred several years ago when, according to Tim Goodenough, "input prices were high, grain
prices were fluctuating constantly, and Mother Nature
was throwing us curve balls."
As a result, Tim started researching different agricul-

tural methods. He had fish farming in the back of his
mind after seeing an operation on an American Soybean

An advanced building-control system uses Evergreen boilers to
regulate the growing season for an aquaponics farm.

Association trip to South America several years earlier.
"When I came back home I had a lot of information
about fish farming, and we began looking into the concept," said Tim, who was raised on the farm and runs it

dent of Ron Hammes Refrigeration, recommended

with his wife, Bonny, and their four children. The fami-

installing four 399 MBH Weil-McLain Evergreen

ly's research led them to consider aquaponics.

boilers with primary-secondary pumping in a multi-

Aquaponics combines aquaculture, or fish farming,

ple boiler system (MBS). In this configuration, a

and hydroponics (raising plants without soil), in a closed-

master boiler controls the modulation and sequenc-

loop system. The nutrient-rich water that results from

ing of boilers on the network to achieve the desired
system supply temperature.

raising fish provides a source of natural fertilizer for the
TESTING THE WATERS

growing plants.

"With the automatic sequencing feature, the boilers

Ready to give the aquaponics operation a go, Tim and

With the greenhouse ready for operation in November,

communicate directly with one another so they se-

Bonny purchased a used four-section, 13,600-sq.-ft.

and the wintry Wisconsin weather setting in, the heat-

quence themselves and rotate as needed," explained

greenhouse. The family spent three months physically

ing system needed fast installation.

Hammes. "They operate to optimize energy use and

disassembling and dismantling the structure before

"We require air temperatures of about 70 degrees in

transporting the greenhouse piece by piece to their farm.

the greenhouse year-round and water temperatures be-

The next year, the family finalized construction plans for

tween 70 and 75 degrees for the fish and plants to

the greenhouse and the attached lean-to building that

thrive," said Bonny.

The re-construction began in 2016. The Goodenoughs worked in tandem with a construction crew for

on one-by-one as needed."
The Evergreen units were tied to existing heat exchangers on site and installed as part of a Wadsworth

Another important concern was the greenhouse

system, a building-control solution that monitors exter-

structure, which consisted of lightweight polycar-

nal temperature, wind speed and direction, precipita-

bonate, could collapse under the weight of a heavy

tion and humidity, and also internal factors such as

snowfall.

temperature and humidity. To maintain conditions, the

would house the mechanical systems. Concrete piers
were poured and support posts and trusses were set.

efficiencies. When heat is required, the boilers will stage

six months until the facility was completed. They also

"Snow could wreak havoc on our structure and so it

advanced Wadsworth system cycles the boilers, heat ex-

hired Ron Hammes Refrigeration, a residential and com-

was imperative to get the heating system online as soon

changers, and grow lights on and off, and opens and

mercial HVAC company based in La Crosse, WI, to han-

as possible," Tim added.

closes vents and shade cloth based on the amount of

dle installation of the heating equipment and piping.
24

COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE

JULY 2017

commercialarchitecturemagazine.com

To meet project parameters, James Hammes, presi-

available sunlight. It is designed to keep humidity and

http://www.commercialarchitecturemagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture July 2017