Propane Cost???

[buckeyefarmer]

Actually you make much more hot water in the winter than in the summer. The hot water generator, known as a desuperheater, removes the "heat of compression" from the freon and transfers it to the hot water loop. In the summer, since the ground water loops are close in temperature to the temperature of the evaporator coil (for AC) there is low pressure and not much compression and therefore not much heat of compression. When heating, the temperature difference between the ground water loop and the heating coil (same coil as AC but a condenser when heating) is typically 70+ degrees. This will result in much higher freon pressures, and thus high compression of the freon. This generates a high freon temperature at the compressor discharge ("heat of compression"), which is removed and used to heat hot water. So this yields much more hot water generation during heating season.

paul

Geothermal desuperheater generates more HOT water in summer, not winter. In the summer when you are taking heat out of your house, you have free heat to use to make hot water, before dumping the heat into the ground. In the winter, you want all the heat you can get to heat your house, it only heats water if it's not supplying heat to your house.

 

[deerseeker001]

I would be checking around

 

[buckeyefarmer]

since installing geothermal 2 yrs ago, my electric bill has averaged $153/month. The two yrs before that it averaged $141/month, so has increased $12 month for geothermal. Prior to geothermal, I used an average of 519 gallons of heating oil/yr. I expect my geo system to pay off in around 5-6 yrs.
I have not hooked up my desuperheater yet, when I do payoff time will decrease more.
A coworker filled propane this week at around $3.

Here is link to article regarding new separator plant coming back online, was off due to a fire right after it originally came online. Oil and Gas companies have invested around $18B in Oil/gas infrastructure in the area.
https://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/595208/More-Plans-At-Blue-Racer.html?nav=515

 

[dragoneggs]

Had my wife call today and they quoted her $5.03/gallon!!! We paid $1.99 around August/Sept timeframe. That IS gouging. I don't believe there is a shortage here. We own our tank for the very reason that we can now shop around. Used to be stuck with a leased tank and no options. I am going to check same place again and see if they were attempting to take advantage of a female. Also will call some others. UNBELIEVABLE!

 

[walker450]

$3.10 here in central Oklahoma. Was about $1.90 in November.

 

[techman]

Geothermal desuperheater generates more HOT water in summer, not winter. In the summer when you are taking heat out of your house, you have free heat to use to make hot water, before dumping the heat into the ground. In the winter, you want all the heat you can get to heat your house, it only heats water if it's not supplying heat to your house.

Unfortunately it is not the same heat exchanger of the same thermodynamics. I tried to give a bit more explanation: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/302210-geothermal-hvac.html#post3638914

paul

 

[batwing]

I just had 730 gallons dropped @ $2.27/gal, the drop before that was $1.99. I'm not bragging just letting you all know you're being gouged.


I know someone that put that in and they are extremely disappointed. It does not radiate heat concrete encased.

We have lament hardwood floors and does a great job, they do not recommend floor heat for tongue and grove hardwood floor.
Ron

 

[batwing]

Any experience with radiant tubes under a wood floor? We have a hardwood floor over a 3/4" OSB subfloor in the kitchen and I am wondering about the feasibility of adding radiant tubes under the floor to replace the baseboard that isn't throwing out enough heat.
I know about adding mixing valves and probbaly a separate circ pump for that area, but am wondering about any side effects of adding tubes under the floor.

Aaron Z

We have lament hardwood floors and does a great job, they do not recommend floor heat for tongue and grove hardwood floor.
Ron

 

[rekees4300]

Crazy! Take your propane and shove it ... time to research alternatives if that happens here! Currently $1.99 thanks to 1 year contract. Next year will be higher for sure. Geo thermal looking better all the time.

Surprise, surprise. Got a letter from the propane company today saying they are invoking the "emergency clause" in our contract. Effective Feb. 1 price has gone $1.99 to $3.49 !!!

 

[ovrszd]

Surprise, surprise. Got a letter from the propane company today saying they are invoking the "emergency clause" in our contract. Effective Feb. 1 price has gone $1.99 to $3.49 !!!

Yep, I've heard that as well.