Geothermal heat pump: first winter results

MacLawn · May 4, 2015

Wow, thanks dave. That's a good report for them. I hope the contractor calls me today... Our area is growing so fast, they are probably very busy.

davesl708 · May 4, 2015

MacLawn said:
Wow, thanks dave. That's a good report for them. I hope the contractor calls me today... Our area is growing so fast, they are probably very busy.

I have had no issues with WF. Quiet running, no outside unit sucking up electricity and making noise. The very low cost to heat and cool is great.
My April utility bill was $67. The month was below average temps.

japody · May 4, 2015

Excellent analysis CountyGeek. I'm about 75 miles NNE of you. I've had similar results with our unit made by Bosch. Of course as luck would have it, one of the valves went out during the coldest spell we had in February. That meant that the unit had to run on aux heat (electric) until it was replaced. Electric bill for our all electric house went from $140 to $485 for the month the valve was out. Shows how much the unit saves when it is actually working.

MacLawn · May 7, 2015

Estimate report: the guy came out yesterday morning, super nice man, and he lives very near me! He's been doing geothermal over 15 years. I have plenty of land space, 4.4 acres, good crawl space for unit, fairly straight forward installation it seems, except the current inside unit is in the only TINY closet space. So, I'd have to cut a 16" round hole in sub floor under closet and shore it up so the filter and coil (is that what the condensate thingamajig is called?) can go there - the return? I got price email from him just a minute ago, Total = $23,500.00 using the ditches, add $5,000 if doing the vertical loop drilling, which is what I would want. Then, take away the 30% tax credit of $7,050, total would be $16,450 + $5,000 for drilling = $21,450. Whew, I won't live long enough at my age to make up the difference I don't think, but I do like what I've learned about geothermal.

I've got to contact my credit unions about a loan, contact our local research hospital to see how much they are giving for hind legs:laughing:, just see how we can come up with financing. If it works out good, I'll have him do it as soon as I can... I do move slowly though.

s219 · May 7, 2015

I'd apply the 30% to the total, so it works out to just under $20k with well drilling.

MacLawn · May 7, 2015

Oh, good catch, s219! Right. Let's just call it $20,000. And, I'd do the plumbing myself for connecting to the water heater. He showed me about the pipes to connect, and I can do plumbing, so I'll have the hot water benefit too. My state, Georgia, helps a tiny bit too, but I'm not counting on that because he said the commercial projects take up the state's annual allotment! Oh well.

I've got to do some financing research and talk to Ethyl about this. All she knows is it's hot, or it's cold, doesn't care about how to get to the temperature needed. Actually, that's not a bad way to be! We just want the thingamajig to work! And not rob the bank while doing its job!

Oh, Country Geek, I don't mean to hijack ye thread, but it seems maybe better to keep the geothermal stuff under what you started than to start a new thread. Plus, you did such good work showing the costs and savings you are having.

s219 · May 7, 2015

MacLawn said:
Oh, good catch, s219! Right. Let's just call it $20,000. And, I'd do the plumbing myself for connecting to the water heater. He showed me about the pipes to connect, and I can do plumbing, so I'll have the hot water benefit too.

Yes, that part is fairly simple, though I have to admit, the first time I saw the extra piping at the hot water heater, it took me 5-10 minutes to study and trace the lines so I could understand what the guys did.

fordmantpw · May 7, 2015

MacLawn said:
Estimate report: the guy came out yesterday morning, super nice man, and he lives very near me! He's been doing geothermal over 15 years. I have plenty of land space, 4.4 acres, good crawl space for unit, fairly straight forward installation it seems, except the current inside unit is in the only TINY closet space. So, I'd have to cut a 16" round hole in sub floor under closet and shore it up so the filter and coil (is that what the condensate thingamajig is called?) can go there - the return? I got price email from him just a minute ago, Total = $23,500.00 using the ditches, add $5,000 if doing the vertical loop drilling, which is what I would want. Then, take away the 30% tax credit of $7,050, total would be $16,450 + $5,000 for drilling = $21,450. Whew, I won't live long enough at my age to make up the difference I don't think, but I do like what I've learned about geothermal.

I've got to contact my credit unions about a loan, contact our local research hospital to see how much they are giving for hind legs:laughing:, just see how we can come up with financing. If it works out good, I'll have him do it as soon as I can... I do move slowly though.

Does your electric company offer rebates as well? Ours (which is a co-op) offers $750/ton.

We installed geo in our new house this past fall. The cost was only about $3k more than a comparable gas/central A/C unit. I figure I will have it paid off in 2-3 years tops.

MacLawn · May 7, 2015

I'll have to see if GA Power has rebates, I think they do...

davesl708 · May 7, 2015

MacLawn said:
Estimate report: the guy came out yesterday morning, super nice man, and he lives very near me! He's been doing geothermal over 15 years. I have plenty of land space, 4.4 acres, good crawl space for unit, fairly straight forward installation it seems, except the current inside unit is in the only TINY closet space. So, I'd have to cut a 16" round hole in sub floor under closet and shore it up so the filter and coil (is that what the condensate thingamajig is called?) can go there - the return? I got price email from him just a minute ago, Total = $23,500.00 using the ditches, add $5,000 if doing the vertical loop drilling, which is what I would want. Then, take away the 30% tax credit of $7,050, total would be $16,450 + $5,000 for drilling = $21,450. Whew, I won't live long enough at my age to make up the difference I don't think, but I do like what I've learned about geothermal.

I've got to contact my credit unions about a loan, contact our local research hospital to see how much they are giving for hind legs:laughing:, just see how we can come up with financing. If it works out good, I'll have him do it as soon as I can... I do move slowly though.

Wow. My unit was vertical drilled and top of the line unit inside for $22,000. With state and fed tax credits it came to $13,000. Got a rate reduction from electric company.