The Ucross Foundation was founded in 1981 by Raymond Plank and is located on a 20,000-acre working cattle ranch on the High Plains in northeastern Wyoming. The Foundation's mission is to foster fresh and innovative thinking in the visual arts, literature and music by providing residencies, work space, and uninterrupted time to individual artists, composers and writers. Through its Residency Program, Art Gallery and associated activities, Ucross actively seeks to support an appreciation for vibrant human creativity and aims to cast a reflection into the future from the cultural mirror of our lives and times. The Foundation has hosted nearly 1,300 individuals from across the world, including 3 Pulitzer Prize and multiple other prestigious award winners, and is the recipient of the Wyoming Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts. The Center also provides public conference space for scientific and public meetings.

The heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems serving the Art Gallery and Conference Center - part of the Foundation's historic Big Red Complex, built in 1882 - were 23 to 25 years old and in dire need of repair. The system was a 2 pipe design with heating provided by a propane boiler serving air handlers with water to air coils. Cooling was via chilled water supplied by two remote 5 ton condensing units.

• Air handler #1 provided heating, ventilation and air conditioning to the main level art gallery.
• Air handler #2 provided heating, ventilation and air conditioning to the upper level conference center.
• Four packaged terminal units provided heating and cooling to four separate offices on the lower level.

An Engineering review recommended the replacement of both air handlers and coils, several pumps, both AC condensors, all controls and some duct. Most of the indoor piping and the four packaged terminal units would remain. A new design was developed to better meet the needs of the facility and comply with all current building ventilation codes.

The Foundation also desired to convert from fossil based propane to available and renewable wood fuel. Room was not available within the Barn to allow the installation of new hydronic wood equipment. Therefore, an existing two bay shop/garage was converted to a mechanical building to house the wood units, pumps, heat exchangers, controls and compressors, etc.

Two GARN® WHS 2000 units were selected as the primary heat source while two new variable speed SEER 14.5 Carrier 7.5 ton condensers provide cooling. Approximately 170’ of Duo 2” pre-insulated MicroFlex PEX pipe connects the new mechanical building to the Conference Center. Programmable digital controls were utilized with CO2 controlled ventillation.

• Funding by Ucross Foundation, through generous support from Ucross Founder Raymond Plank, with on site personnel support by Director Sharon Dynak, Maintenance Guru Mike Latham and other Ucross staff - www.ucrossfoundation.org
• Project management and design concept by Martin Lunde, PE of DECTRA CORPORATION.
• HVAC analysis and design by McKinley Wood, PE with Construction Supervision by Ken Thorpe of Powder River Heating, Gillette, WY – www.powderriverheating.com
• GARN WHS units, flue, heat exchangers and MicroFlex underground piping by DECTRA CORPORATION – www.garn.com

The mission of Ucross Foundation is “to foster fresh and innovative thinking.” In converting from propane to wood Ucross reached beyond the arts to fulfill its mission in the technical world. This conversion:

• Replaced the burning of fossil based propane with carbon neutral, renewable wood to provide heat for the facility; thus reducing its greenhouse gas footprint.
• Utilized cotton wood standing dead and downfall as the primary fuel.
• Eliminated the hauling of this renewable wood resource to local land fills.
• Utilized very efficient GARN WHS wood heating equipment to further reduce its impact on the environment.
• Created a much healthier (and more comfortable) indoor environment for its guests and the displayed art.
• Supported the local economy by utilizing a local fuel source.

Installation began in November of 2007, was completed by July 2008 and was closely coordinated with ongoing events at the Art Gallery and Conference Center. It is anticipated that converting to wood will eliminated approximately 2,100 to 2500 gallons of propane consumption during winter 2008/2009. The office building at Ucross is scheduled to be connected to the GARN® WHS  units during the summer of 2008.  Summer 2008 has confirmed the performance of the new air conditioning system. A series of pictures follows, visually describing the project.

The Ucross Art Gallery and Conference Center as seen from the southeast in Fall 2007, before conversion began.

The upper level Conference Center was "stuffy" with erratic temperature control.

The renovated upper level air handler room.

The main level Art Gallery where temperature and humidity control are critical.

The new air handler for the main level with precise humidity, ventilation, and temperature control.

The Duo 2" pre-insulated MicroFlex underground PEX pipe that connects the Barn with the mechanical building. The piping passes under a driveway.

The existing 2 bay shop/garage that was converted into a mechanical building.

The two GARN® WHS 2000 units set into position in the mechanical building.

The two GARN® WHS 2000 units after installation was completed.

Update - November, 2008

As of November 19, 2008 the office at the Ucross Foundation went online and was being heated by the same GARN WHS 2000 units that heat the Ucross Barn. As was done in the Barn, the air handler and related ductwork were replaced due to the age and condition of the existing equipment. In addition, a new higher efficiency air conditioning coil and condenser were installed. 1.25” duo core MicroFlex pre-insulated underground piping connects the office with the GARN building.

Below are two views of the Ucross Foundation office.

Unloading of the preinsulated underground piping. Approximately 300’ of the MicroFlex piping was required. As shown a “ditch witch” was used to trench for the piping.

Below is the building where the two GARN units are located. It houses the two GARN WHS 2000 units and is their on site maintenance building. The GARN units are located behind the left overhead door.

The primary wood fuel is dead cottonwood available in many areas of WY. Although the BTU/lb is significantly less than oak or other woods, it is still a viable renewable fuel.