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Forums > Green Building Technologies > Geothermal Heat Pumps > Subject: Is this cost right?

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conniepanganUser is Offline
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08/13/2008 4:28 PM  
I live in New Jersey. I am in the process of installing a geothermal at my home with about less than 2000SF. Our current heating system is oil and we don't have any ductwork.

The quote was $31.K for a retrofit home. It includes everything from acquiring permit, ductwork, desuperheater , a 2 stage heat pump.

We don't have enough land so I would say they will do a vertical closed loop system.

Given this info., is this price about right? Thanks
geo fanUser is Offline
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08/13/2008 5:17 PM  

Thats a fair price

joe.amiUser is Offline
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08/13/2008 10:49 PM  
I'm probably with geo fan. Can you tell us any more... ranch or two story, how many btu's, how many rooms.....
J
geodeanUser is Offline
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08/13/2008 10:51 PM  
The best thing you can do for peace of mind is get some more bids.

Dewayne Dean
PalaceGeothermal.com
Why settle for 90% when you can have 400%
We heat and cool with dirt!
visit- http://welserver.com/WEL0114/- to see my system
conniepanganUser is Offline
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08/13/2008 11:09 PM  
Thanks for the replies. Our house is 2 story with finished basement. We have 3 bedrooms upstairs with an unfinished attic (accessible by stairs). Second floor s is approximately 500 sf, downstairs is approximately 800 sf and basement is probably 400 sf.

With that price too ($31.5K), he will do split system for the A/C with condenser in the basement. The contractor will install 2 zone ductwork and returns for the entire house with 2 digital thermostat, desuperheater and back up electric heater included. So all electric, plumbing and HVAC is included in the price.

engineerUser is Offline
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08/13/2008 11:25 PM  
Absent specifics it doesn't seem too out of line.

$30k+ for a mid size house HVAC system does inspire sticker shock, but retrofitting ductwork into a non-ducted house is a tedious, difficult process.

Without data, you only have an opinion.
joe.amiUser is Offline
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08/13/2008 11:30 PM  
Yikes! Lots of tough work.
As Dewayne said multiple estimates are your best defense against high prices. As this is a labor intensive install it is an oppurtunity for contractors to be flexible (particularly in the slow season). Just remember geo will save you thaousands so don't shop the wheels off it.
Joe
By the way still don't know where you are located.
conniepanganUser is Offline
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08/13/2008 11:32 PM  
Initially the contractor it would cost around $22K but with the ductwork and has to rip the ceiling and put it back to previous condition...that made it more expensive
conniepanganUser is Offline
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08/13/2008 11:38 PM  
About shopping around, I ask a guy that uses the ECONAR, give a few informations like land size, location, retrofit etc...he is already giving me about $50K ballpark estimate on that.

The reason why I am a confident with this present one is because he's one of our reliable contractor and he had built one (commercial) in the last few months and will do about 5 more in the area.

Maybe I should still ask around although I may have to risk of not knowing the quality of work they do.
joe.amiUser is Offline
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08/13/2008 11:41 PM  
OK, there's your oppurtunity for sweat equity or savings. Heating contractors will pick their favorite drywaller/plasterer and not shop the bid. Think about doing or contracting the drywall or plaster yourself......in New Jersey (just noticed you started with that; oops :).





tuffluckdrillerUser is Offline
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08/14/2008 1:57 AM  
That sounds like a VERY reasonable price for all of the stuff you've listed.

Clark Timothy (clark@pinksdx.com)
VP sales, Tuff Luck Geothermal Drilling
Geothermal, Heating and Cooling that's Dirt Cheap!
conniepanganUser is Offline
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08/14/2008 10:06 AM  
Thanks for the input. The contractor said that he will increase his services by 10% after he build geothermal heat pump to the 5 houses this year.
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