DIY Home Made Energy

By Mr. G on Aug 15, 2006 | Reply

square footage is not relevant, as long as it is all on one level. the important thing is if you have the area outside to put the system in. the most effective is if you can run horizontal laterals better in water such as a pond or in a field that is level ( cuts down on the digging) or vertical, takes up less room but cost more to install ( may need to be quite deep ) , to answer your question, we were told in Midwest area, 14,000 to 16,000 dollars

By Maryland Auto Instructor on Aug 15, 2006 | Reply

$24,000 to heat/cool my 4100 sq/ft home with a single unit. If the house was larger, I would have needed two exchanger/handlers. I had 8 horizontal loops trenched in my field instead of the minimum 6 needed that way I could upgrade my system to serve my basement and the finished attic in the future. The pumps are in the basement, but I had the air handler mounted in the attic because the second floor is 2500 sq/ft and the first floor is 1600 sq/ft (1200 sq/ft garage is in rear section of 1st floor and not served with geothermal) and it would be easier to blow air a longer distance for a smaller floor than the larger floor.

I have sprayed foam insulation plus r12-r19 fiberglass batts in the walls, 2×6 construction, and low-e double pane windows. The estimate for my monthly electric bill (geo-thermal is all electric) is $200-225, but I have not moved in yet to verify that.

A standard oil/propane furnace with central air was quoted at $14,000 with a monthly operating cost of over $500. I invested in the geothermal for the lower monthly costs and how quickly it would pay itself off.

I used my propane fired boiler to provide backup heat to the exchanger coils in case the unit goes down in the winter.

I have 4 zones in the house, too. My garage floor and basement floor have radiant heat from the propane boiler, and the tiled or hard-wood floors also have radiant heat just in case I want to warm them.

By John C on Aug 15, 2006 | Reply

The cost can very greatly depending on your your particular heat load calculation. I would advise you before buying a geothermal to look into just a conventional air to air heat pump. You can purchase up to an 18 seer model now from some manufactures and with that high of a seer rating there starting to come pretty close to rivaling the efficiency you get from a geothermal, not mention a whole lot cheaper on the upfront costs !

By Bill on Aug 18, 2006 | Reply

I am paying just under $20,000 for a 4 ton two stage Tranquelity unit by Climate master. My house is 2,400 sf. I have 2 zones. One upstairs one downstairs. I am having horozontal trnches dug. 600 feet 2 feet wide 4 feet deep 4 pipes in each trench for a total of 2400 ft. All the connections are going to be made inside my basement. I’m getting off the fuel oil. love that idea.