Geothermal Loops?

[Redneck in training]

We have 4 ton Waterfurnace with 2500 ft of "fluffed" coils in our pond. We heat about 3800 sq ft and our highest heating bill was about $110 at 4.2cents/kWh but the rate just went up to 5.2 cents for this winter.
The guy who installed the system also has a horizontal drill and can install ground loops with minimal ground disturbance. The trajectory of the bore is calculated and set such a way that the drill bit will emerge from ground at desired location. The drill head is removed and two pipes connected at the end with a U are pulled under ground. The drilling polymer that was used to power the drilling head prevents the bore from collapsing, lubricates the bore and also provides thermal contact.

Friend of mine just installed new geo in existing house they just bought. The bid was about 20000 but after rebates and tax write off they paid only something over 12000. They think it will pay for itself an about 4 years.

 

[LD1]

We have 4 ton Waterfurnace with 2500 ft of "fluffed" coils in our pond. We heat about 3800 sq ft and our highest heating bill was about $110 at 4.2cents/kWh but the rate just went up to 5.2 cents for this winter.

I would LOVE to pay only 4.2cents/kwh

Ours currently is ~10cents or a little more. It all depends on how much you use. The more you use, the cheaper it is per KWH.

My last bill was for 1644Kwh. At your rates that would have been only $85

At MY rates, the bill was for $180

 

[powerstroke444e]

Well got the loops in and all went as planed took about 11 hrs to get all the pipe in the ground. We found a old heating old tank old septic tank and several tiles for the old lateral field as we have new aeration septic. Had wet clay from 34 inches down with as dry as its been that was a nice find and should help make it more efficient.

 

[Chilly807]

I would LOVE to pay only 4.2cents/kwh

Ours currently is ~10cents or a little more. It all depends on how much you use. The more you use, the cheaper it is per KWH.

My last bill was for 1644Kwh. At your rates that would have been only $85

At MY rates, the bill was for $180

You guys are killing me here... our last bill was for 948 kwh, by the time all the fees and taxes are added in it was nearly $160... slightly over 12 cents per kwh.

Sean

 

[Redneck in training]

We have two meters one for heating and the other for total consumption. The heating rate is 5.2 cent/kWh and used only in the heating season. The normal rate is 11 cents. Then there is tax and service surgarge added on the top of it.

 

[LD1]

We have two meters one for heating and the other for total consumption. The heating rate is 5.2 cent/kWh and used only in the heating season. The normal rate is 11 cents. Then there is tax and service surgarge added on the top of it.

I never heard of anything like that.

I wished we had that here. That would cut my heating bill in half. Since I heat with electric (heat pump) 90% of the time, and only use propane below 17 degrees. But If electric for heating were that cheap, that would make electric resistance heating for back up even cheaper than the propane.

 

[Redneck in training]

I never heard of anything like that.

I wished we had that here. That would cut my heating bill in half. Since I heat with electric (heat pump) 90% of the time, and only use propane below 17 degrees. But If electric for heating were that cheap, that would make electric resistance heating for back up even cheaper than the propane.

That is exactly the case. I just bought Fujitsu HP (split unit) for my shop. It should work down low to 4F. Then resistive heat will be used. I also got a meter for the shop heating.

 

[powerstroke444e]

Ended up ordering a new 5 ton century 2 stage unit as local distributer real wanted our business and several others have asked me to install systems for them. Equipment should be in by end of the month.

 

[AHNC]

That is exactly the case. I just bought Fujitsu HP (split unit) for my shop. It should work down low to 4F. Then resistive heat will be used. I also got a meter for the shop heating.

I am heating my house with the Fujitsu's. Depending upon model, they will make rated output below zero. I just put in a Rinnai Ex22 propane wall furnace yesterday as well. I removed the 5 yrs old gas central furnace and air system that had been added to the house. Ductwork was very poorly done and leakage was enormous. Let's see, an 80% efficient furnace, with a 60% efficient duct system, hmmm let me check my math...48%. All of my equipment is net to the space now with no transmission losses.

My point is that regardless of equipment efficiencies, it is frequently the "transmission" system that is the weak link.

Have to acknowledge my bias, to be fair. Prior to selling my business last year I had represented Rinnai for 20 yrs and Fujitsu for 12. Just for drill go to www.miniheat.com That was my site. It is out of date model wise, as I'm no longer in the bus., but pay attention to the "total hrs/yr" column. That tells you how many hrs per year you will be at a particular temperature. It is a 25 yr compilation of dederal weather stats.

I'll be interested to hear how your install goes. What model did you put in?

 

[powerstroke444e]

Well finally had time to install over last weekend. Everything went real smooth and seemed to go together as planned. The hardest part for me was the duct work but got it done and up and running. I am amazed at how quite it is when running and that it is handling the house on the 1st stage without any problem but is 20 out so it will get colder soon. I'll try to get some photo's up this weekend.