GEO-THERMAL

MTC · Jan 29, 2014

Alot of talk here about heat sources.There is no doubt in my mind geo thermal is the way to go,have had it for 9 years.We live in southern Wi. and it has been cold.We have a Lp furnace for backup which has kicked in the last couple nights once in awile.The wind chill has been -35 degrees.In the last 9 years we have used less than 800 gallons of Lp.PLUS we have central air with it.If you look at the tax credits and research it on the net I think you all will agree.Thanks PS- heard a fellow paid 8.60 a gallon for LP gas today. RIP OFF

Howard H. · Jan 29, 2014

I agree that geo can be really great.

One of my best friends has a 5-6000 square foot house and his electric bill is almost nothing - just for the fans to circulate the air & water and the lights.

They love it.

When I get to build my place in the country, I"m thinking of just running horizontal ground loops as deep as I can get them, instead of the vertical well-type loops he put in, though... He lives in town, where all we have out at the farm is wide-open spaces...

Howard

Anonymous-0 · Jan 29, 2014

They say that the kuntry of Iceland, 75% of their energy is geo-thermal.

showcrop · Jan 29, 2014

Please tell me more. Does it work off your well? or horizontal pipe in the ground? Does it have water or antifreeze if it is a horizontal system? If horizontal how deep and where with respect to water table and mean high water?

MTC · Jan 29, 2014

Mine is a closed horizonal system.I have 4 trenches 8 foot deep and 150 foot long.The pipe is 3/4 inch plastic and in a loop about 3 foot in diameter laid in the 1 foot wide trench.There is anti freeze in the loop.I dug and laid the pipe myself which cut the cost alot.

welled deers · Jan 29, 2014

Have used Geothermal for 13 years in central Minnesota and would never have anything else. I use a closed loop system and heat about 5000 sq. feet. This year will be challenge, but I have never exceeded $500 for a full season of heating and AC in past years. You need to check for reduced rates from your power company. We have dual-fuel rate which gives us a significant reduction in electrical costs if we allow the power company to cut power during times when they have peak usage. We rarely notice a heating loss in the winter, but losing AC in the summer is noticeable. We do have a LP backup, but is usually turned off. House is new and well insulated.

howdy1960 · Jan 30, 2014

They make them both ways. 'This Old House' did a show in New England where they drilled wells and ran poly-pipe down. Another time on 'Ask This Old House' they did a segment where a few wells drilled. Have seen articles on vertical runs and like someone said they are around 8 ft deep.
Please correct me if I'm wrong but they are hooked to a heat pump.
Another option is solar collectors. Lots of info on youtube on both styles of systems.

showcrop · Jan 30, 2014

(quoted from post at 19:32:48 01/29/14) Mine is a closed horizonal system.I have 4 trenches 8 foot deep and 150 foot long.The pipe is 3/4 inch plastic and in a loop about 3 foot in diameter laid in the 1 foot wide trench.There is anti freeze in the loop.I dug and laid the pipe myself which cut the cost alot.

MTC, I don't understand the part about 3ft diam. loop in 1ft. wide trench.

Geo-TH,In · Jan 30, 2014

Post back in another 9 years and let us know how much it costs to replace your heat pump. My boy's was 16 years old, cost him $7500 for a trane air to air heat pump. Can't imagine who much it will cost him to put in a geo.

My last electric bill, baseboard heat, for 34 days was $300. A friend, 3 miles away,has a heat pump, cost him $540.

No wood, just electric backup.

MTC · Jan 30, 2014

The plastic pipe is still in a loop when I put it in the trench.The idea is to get as put pipe contact to the earth.

welled deers · Jan 30, 2014

something is wrong. A heat pump will run at about 300% efficiency. Electric baseboard can't come close to matching that. I am aware of many heat pumps in central Minnesota and have yet to hear of a major failure. A Neighbor has had his for 28 years with no problems. If they fail it would likely be the compressor and they are not that expensive to replace. As I indicted earlier, my total annual cost for heat and AC is about $500.00

GEO-THERMAL

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Howard H.

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Anonymous-0

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showcrop

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welled deers

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showcrop

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Geo-TH,In

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