Does geothermal make sense for me?

Greg_17

I am in the process of installing a solar system that will replace baseboard electric heat in my home and includes ten 4 ft x 8 ft panels and a TBD storage tank. The system will be used to provide heat for:
The home interior (radiant floor 1st floor and forced air basement + Hot water + Swimming Pool (30,000 gal) + Hot Tub (450 gal)

I am considering replacing my home Air conditioning system, which is almost 30 years old with a heat pump. The house is a rancher with a calculated heat loss of about 56,400 btus/hr. It is located about 20 miles NW of Baltimore, MD and sits on 1 acre (level). Would a high efficiency heat pump (SEER 14 or higher) make more sense than a geothermal?
The two gentlemen that have given me prelimary quotes either did not know about geothermal or felt that "design bugs need to be worked out yet".

J Matthers_2

Geothermal has been around for a long time. The bugs are gone. A geothermal heat pump or ground source heat pump is much the same as your current compressor unit. It just uses the grounds constant 55* as the heat source or heat sink instead of the air. To do this it uses ground water (open system) or a loop running through the ground or a pond or lake (closed system). Maybe you know all this. It is a very efficient way to cool your home but your upfront cost will be more. Geo and radiant floor heat are good partners as long as your supply temp needs are below 120*. 120* is about the max temp you can get without giving up efficient operation. You will need a backup heat source for those really cold nights when the geo can't keep up. Your savings on heat depends on your electric rate.

Jack_23

If it was my house

I'd get a high eff conventional cooling system. Geothermal units aredefinitely very efficient but, as noted, front end costs can be prohibitive. The question is...where is the geothermal energy coming from. Do you have to drill one or possibly two (re-injection) wells. Are you going to dump the water (not nice). You need a very good man to design and install these units. I think they are best on new construction where the whole site and system plan can be put together at the beginning. If you choose to go ahead then check with the unit manuf and get their references on "the right guy(s)" to do the job. Best wishes. BTW. I isntalled a bunch of these systems in the late 70's early 80's. We used the swimming pool for the heat sink and used the collectors to replenish the pool heat. You need a good pool cover for this app. Rejected heat to the pool in the summer

Tony_8

I'd go with it

If the upfront doesn't scare you, it'll pay off in short order. Since the transfer media temp is constant, a backup isn't necessary for extra cold nights. Size it for max load for your area and relax. Geo HP's are used in a lot colder climates than MD.

Brian_24

direct exchange geothermal

I have been installing ecr's direct exchange geothermal systems. www.ecrtech.com It uses refrigerant circulated through copper coils. No water quality issues or pump and filter maintence. Average payback calculations using elite's audit program are 2.5 to 3 years. I have a customer with a 1800 square foot ranch paying an average of $30.00 a month for heat and ac. Currently installing one on my own sisters house that will do radiant heat and ac through a unico and also do domestic hot water. This is the way I would go just my opinion. Good luck,
Brian

Wayco Wayne_2

I know

a contractoer that does geothermal in your area. Call me if you want another look at your project and I'll give you his name. Geothermal is a winner. I worked with this contractor on a project in Damascus, MD. He installed the goe and I installed the radiant floors. System was a beauty eh? WW

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Ranger

Sounds like a plan....

....closed loop (buried) I believe you need 850 linear feet
per ton.The good news is I believe one option is someone makes a heat-exchanger that's coiled up so its like installing a septic tank.My good friend Ed Janowiak (Mr.Heat Pump) from Bramante Energy Lives for those things.He can be reached at 609-660-9617.I'm sure he'd be happy to answer any of your questions you may have.(He also happens to have a Waterfurnace in his house)
Ranger