Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 17, 1999 03:48am | #1

   *
   Hi Gary,

   I work in commercial HVAC - I don't deal with
   geothermal systems too much but here are some
   resources to look into:

   • http://www.waterfurnace.com (manufacturer with
   loads of links on their site)

   • http://www.ghpc.org (Geothermal Heat Pump
   Consortium)

   • "This Old House" magazine, July/August
   1996 - case study

   • "RSES Journal" magazine, November 1997
   (Refrigeration Service Engineers Society) -
   technical background

   Also call around to your local heating
   contractors. Some may be looking for a geothermal
   job to try out; others may not be interested but
   may tell you of someone that is. Good luck!

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 17, 1999 04:46am | #2

   *The house I am constructing now will have an earth coupled or geothermal heating and cooling system. My vendor is Hydro-Temp Corporation in Pocahontas, AR. They are one of the oldest manufactures of these systems. They do not advertise very much but they have dealers in most locations. Check out their web site http://www.hydro-temp.com/ Please feel free to cantact me by e-mail if you have questions.

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 17, 1999 06:51am | #3

   *Here in the Akron, Ohio area I have seen the Geothermal used mostly in all-electric developements. The local power company has a some type of incentive program to help set off the high initial cost, and the payback makes sense against the high cost of conventional electric heat. But when you compare it to conventional gas heat the payback time is very long. Talk to your utility companies and your heating contractor to put some numbers on it.John

2. 
   PRP | Aug 17, 1999 06:57pm | #4

   *
   Gary:

   Remember that the upfront costs is high. However, if you are a person who can afford this and delight in entertaining the thought that your energy bill will be half of what it is using conventional then . . .

   I worked on a house project recently (I didn't do the work w/ geothermal) that installed geothermal and the cost of the heating and cooling units, lines, and ducts ran about $9000 for a 3000 s.f. house w/ finished basement. Hot Hot climate in summer, july avr. high 94, july avr. low 80. What is interesting about this is the testimonial by the client. This client was living on the site for 9 yrs. in a trailer home, 900 s.f., and he informed me recently that his July cooling bill was $40 less for the 3000 s.f. house over the 900 s.f. trailer from last year. Seems at this rate the system will pay off quickly. Not very scientific but I liked the testimonials as to what works and what doesn't.
   OK.

1. 
   Dave_Melendy | Aug 19, 1999 06:28am | #5

   *A friend of mine in Paducah installed his own system placing pipes in an extended backyard and is as happy as a pig in s###. I don't recall the numbers exactly, but his resulting utility costs are best described as tiny. If I had the situation to do so I'd do it in a trice.

1. 
   DocSeven | Aug 19, 1999 05:45pm | #6

   *Hi Everyone - I recently moved into a 90 year old house and was surprised to find it equipped with a geothermal heat pump. The system takes water from our well for heating and cooling. It's great and the cold air is really cold. Interestingly, the water "effluent" is simply dumped next to the house and runs down hill to the lake. Looks like I'll have to build a fish pond!Best, DocSeven

3. 
   gary_ | Aug 19, 1999 05:45pm | #7

   *
   Hey ... I'm planning on putting in a new heating and cooling system in my house. Has anybody had any experience with this type of system? Does it save on your heating and coolng costs?