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Van Wilgen’s Garden Center

51 Valley Road, North Branford, CT 06471
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Van Wilgen’s Garden Center

What We Did

Project Overview

Pat Munger Construction and Van Wilgen’s Garden Center have a 13-year business relationship between the two companies. Munger Construction has completed building additions, greenhouses, retail and warehouse space expansion, upgrades, and most recently integration of a closed loop, water-to-water geothermal HVAC system which uses the earth’s stable temperature to shed heat in the summer and gain heat in the winter with no waste water.

Retail Facilities

Sustainable Building

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See Our Work

    Testimonial

    What the client had to say about us

    Testimonial
    "We enjoy working with Munger Construction because they are a very professional organization. Their proposals, contracts and guidelines are well documented. They deliver the finished product on time. They adhere to their quoted price. They complete any follow-ups, repairs and upgrades in a timely manner. They maintain a very clean worksite."

    Bill Van Wilgen

    Van Wilgen’s Garden Center

    Case Study

    The Situation

    Van Wilgen’s is always looking to add environmentally friendly features to its business. When the need arose to expand its retail area and the office space above it, Van Wilgen’s decided to leverage this “green” opportunity by integrating a closed loop water-to-water geothermal HVAC system. The system would use the earth’s stable temperature to shed heat in the summer and gain heat in the winter with no waste water.

    Problem

    The Challenges

    1

    Four 400 ft. vertical wells were drilled 25 feet apart and 10 feet from building and property borders to satisfy tight tolerances on the available land.

    Solution

    The Resolutions

    1

    Rather than using valuable retail space to house the compressor, heat pump and flow center, Munger built a cost effective insulated shed that was attached to the external wall of the utility closet.

    2

    Radiant slab heat and air conditioning ductwork were installed. A pump truck with rigged scaffolding was used to deliver and evenly spread concrete over second story radiant floor piping.

    Outcome

    the final product

    Van Wilgen’s sustainability efforts are delivering strong environmental, social, and economic results. By installing a geothermal system, the company is reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and expects the system to pay for itself within 5–6 years, with a lifespan of over 30 years. These initiatives not only save money but also enhance the company’s image in the community as a leader in the “green” industry. Van Wilgen’s continues to grow a loyal customer base that values sustainable business practices, leading to increased sales of organically grown herbs and vegetables. Internally, employee morale, loyalty, and confidence remain high, as team members take pride in working for a company that prioritizes environmental sustainability.