Geothermal heat

[CWebster]

http://www.geoexchange.org/about/how.htm



Was wondering if anybody here had any experience with this? I've got to replace the waterheater, furnace and airconditioner and want to explore all options. Sounds like quite a cost saver (in the long run) and less dependence on electricity, gas, and/or heating oil. Comments?

 

[CWebster]

Some pricing



http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20711&item=3194514748&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW



Been reading up on all of this stuff over on http://homesteadingtoday.com/vb/ Lots of good info and ideas if anyone's interested... .

 

[Skydiver]

Great idea,

I almost bought one in 1996 when building my house. I all ready owned a 3-ton 13. 0 seer (non-geo) condensing unit so all I had to buy was the ducts, air handler and yes my much beloved PROPANE burner.

Highest power bill in the summer so far $88. 00. Winters are about $38. 00. Insulation really has paid for itself.

Propane was $1. 01 last summer on the "summer-fill" plan.

Make sure whoever installs the geothermal pump knows how to install the coils. Most all problems are related to improper coil installation and recirculating pump failure.

Maybe the units have much improved by now.

Tim

 

[John - K5AWO]

If you have a shallow water table, they are the cat's meow. The water temp is the same all year and heat pumps of course are very good at moving heat.



If the "condenser" end is below 36 degrees it isn't going to work very well. Heating coils will have to take over or use gas.

 

[dslmacdown]

Re: They work great! BUT....

Originally posted by Dl5treez

Geothermal systems work excellent, until the ground freezes. Many people have them here and in the winter they're pretty well useless. Work great in the fall, spring, & summer though.



If you're in an area where the frost line is lower than a couple feet, it might not work very efficiently in the winter.

That's odd here when I installed some systems here, couple of years ago, our loops ran close to 200 ft. down and worked great year round.



Chris

 

[TPCDrafting]

I guess everything in South Dakotee is shallow in one form or another. DOH! (directed at Dan only)



I've designed a few homes with these heat pumps. The owners have told me they are very happy with them, but are glad they have a wood stove or some other back up system to keep the house warmer in the winter months. I'm not sure if any are using them in the summer as they are mostly located over 8000' elevation and A/C isn't all that necessary.

 

[CWebster]

Thanks for all of the replys. Initial cost is a little hard to swallow... I'm not sure if I will be in this residence long enough to recoup and start saving money. I am also a little concerned about having to piggyback an alternative source in the winter, around here it can stay close to 0 degress for weeks at a time... . which means a lot of heat needed.

 

[KBennett]

I have a co-worker that had one installed a couple years ago when he built his new house. He says that it works well but will probably take 10 years to pay for itself. Here in Colorado we have a lot of sun in the winter and the temperatures are moderate compared to Michigan.