Update on Renovation Project at First Unitarian

We are currently in the queue with the City of Rochester for a permit to drill the test well for our geothermal system. This has taken longer than expected because our’s is the first application under of Rochester’s new permitting process for geothermal systems. Our system will be one of the largest in the Rochester area.

While we are waiting for the permit to drill, we wanted to address the concern about noise level. We understand your concern and wanted to share information from ACES, the contractor installing the wells.

First, the drilling will be limited to typical working hours and it will take at most two days to drill the first well. In addition to the drilling there will be a generator in continual use for 24 hours after the drilling is complete.

Second, at the distance of 250 feet from the drilling the noise level will be about 64 decibels (dBA). Outdoors the drilling will be comparable in loudness to normal conversation, moderate traffic or the sound of a dishwasher. Inside a home, with doors and windows closed, the drilling may be audible but would generally be noticeably quieter indoors than outdoors. The closest home to the church is 300 feet away and our trees and gardens will provide a buffer for the noise. We hope this allays some of your fears.

If you have questions please feel free to contact Florence Jessup, Project Manager for the church. She can be reached at florence@rochesterunitatian.org. You may also sign up to receive regular updates on all of our construction projects at https://rochesterunitarian.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1115891.

We hope you have had time to review the fliers that were hand delivered. We are excited about reducing our environmental impact by updating our heating and cooling system. We will strive to keep you updated at each stage of the process.