Dunn County has officially entered into an agreement with energy services leader Veregy to implement a full-scale geothermal HVAC modernization at the Dunn County Justice Center. The initiative marks the culmination of a dedicated journey during which both parties navigated complex logistical and alignment challenges to deliver a high-efficiency, long-term solution for the county.
The Wisconsin County brought Veregy in to evaluate options for a standard HVAC replacement, recognizing that the Justice Center’s existing system was failing and in critical need of an overhaul. The County Board’s primary objectives were to identify the lowest-cost option for taxpayers and significantly reduce the internal maintenance and staff utilization required to keep the building running.
“As a team, we went through an intensive process to find the best solution at the best possible price for the county. We were able to look beyond short-term fixes and secure a great, experienced provider capable of creating the best long-term, sustainable solution for our community and our taxpayers.”
– Dan Dunbar, Dunn County Manager
While traditional HVAC systems were evaluated, Veregy’s deep dive into local utility and federal rebate programs revealed that geothermal infrastructure could be installed at a comparable net cost while yielding substantially greater long-term operational benefits. Incorporating geothermal at the Justice Center also brings the facility in line with neighboring county infrastructure, as both the Dunn County Government Center and The Neighbors of Dunn County successfully utilize geothermal energy.
Navigating Complex Challenges
Developing and finalizing the scope of work required extraordinary collaboration and creative problem-solving, as the Justice Center’s active courtrooms and continuously operating jail facilities prevented the existing piping from being deactivated. To ensure 24/7 uninterrupted operations, Veregy designed a secondary building piping loop to keep the old system fully operational while the new geothermal network is built out.
Federal Incentive Support:
Veregy will provide dedicated technical data and filing assistance to help Dunn County qualify for direct-pay energy credits under Section 48 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
The project will utilize a skilled regional workforce, and Veregy will provide comprehensive owner training and an initial year of post-project fine-tuning to ensure peak performance of the geothermal system.
“I’m most proud of the partnership we were able to forge with Dunn County. Through multiple project scope iterations and a number of stakeholders, we were able to bring cost-effective and energy-effective solutions that will bring value to the taxpayers of the county for years to come.”
– Jason Stini, Account Manager at Veregy
About Dunn County, Wisconsin
Dunn County government is committed to providing efficient, high-quality public services that support a safe, healthy, and prosperous community. Headquartered in Menomonie, Wisconsin, the county administration balances long-term environmental stewardship with strict fiscal responsibility to protect taxpayer resources for future generations. To learn more about Dunn County, visit them at https://dunncountywi.gov/.
