We are planing on building a new home in the next few months. We are going to be using geothermal heating and we were looking and there may be a tax credit we can claim on that.
We were wondering what else we could get which may have a tax credit capable of offsetting the extra cost? for example a solar water heater we saw was like $6k but they said it had like a $2k tax credit which made a bit less hard to consider on our new home.

Just a few details on the home, its roughly 2100 sq ft on the main level, basement will be unfinished although we will run the water pipes for heating the floor. The main level is going to have 2x6 walls. We haven't decided on the insulation yet. 

Thanks,

--Carlos

You could upgrade to SIPS or ICF's, Super Insulate, and you wouldn't need Geo. You would save lots-o-money!

Ps. And please remember Geo uses copious amounts of electricity...

Really?  Yeah, I guess if you compare to a propane, NG or wood stove geo does use more electricity, but what counts is not the electricty but the total cost of heating/cooling.  Every bit of research I've found says the total cost will be much less than any other system given current pricing of the various fuels.

 

After talking to a lot of people who have changed to geo I am convinced its better than gas or electric, and our electric is cheap here.
As for doing SIPs or ICF, well that stuff just hasn't been around here too much so its still significantly more expensive. For ICF there is like 1 or 2 builders and for SIPs there was just one.

I guess that you forgot that I stated Super Insulating. Try researching that...And, then try to justify spending $30-$40k(+ electricity)...

My overall experience with geothermal has been very good. No major horror stories as yet. However, I am no longer recommending the use of geothermal for one reason. Costs. I have compared several similar projects that were built using the same basic systems (ICF, SIPS, etc.) and I have found that the cost savings for geo over conventional heat pumps averages only a few dollars per month in utility costs. Considering the rather large cost difference between the two systems, the payback period is over 20 years.
Unfortunately, most of the HVAC people can't get a geo system to last 20 years without major repairs. Therefore, while I love the concept, the practical aspects are not there. With the introduction of conventional heat pumps with SEER ratings of 16+, they become a far more realistic and competetive option.

I was questioning the use of "copious" in your description, you made it sound like geo is not efficient. You may be correct that in a highly efficient envelope the payback for geo may be extended or non-existant but that would be a case by case analysis and should be considered. Given the tax credit for geo now, 30% w/no cap vs $300 - $500 for other systems that certainly makes for a faster payback.

True. But I think that people need to be aware that Geo systems do use a lot of electricity, and in some places electricity is expensive. I do like the concept, but the cost is usually high. And, if you upgrade your envelope to 'Super Insulating'(whatever method that you choose) your heating and cooling needs will be so low, that Geo no longer makes economic sense, and you'll save a lot more energy.

I suspect we are talking about different things here. The system we were proposed uses well water (we are already going to have a well regardless of the heat pump technology), and it disposes the water at our pond. So we were basically told it would be very cheap for us to get it compared to getting a traditional system. I haven't seen the numbers yet but its not going to be 30 or 40K more, and if it is then well we just won't be doing that.
Also electricity where I am at is extremely cheap, much cheaper than gas at least.

We are somewhat. I was talking about a underground 'closed' system.

MntGoat,
I would not recommend a 'pump & dump' open loop system. I have had two clients who opted for that system. One seems OK, but the other had to install a second, and then a third well in order to get enough water to keep his system operating. Be very careful to make sure you have an adequate supply of well water to work with. The last geo system we had installed was about 50% than a conventional heat pump and that did not include the loop system.

Wes,

I agree with your advice.

Back in the 70's when we were doing open loops, the well driller after hitting water had a way of calculating how many gallons per minute the well would furnish.  Do well drillers not do this anymore or are they stopping when they hit a small pocket of water?

Well we are probably going with well water for the home as well so we are probably going to make the driller hits a good source of water.

There seems to be large variability in the initial cost of a geothermal system. We went geo on our home, 4-ton, dual speed unit installed including the ground loop for just over $16K. That said, my energy bills are about 30% of those in a similar sized home. It is an ICF home.

A non geo system would have cost $11K, so, I paid a $5K premium. I am guessing that I save about $1000 per year with my geo system at current energy rates. Since energy costs will only increase, more so for gas and oil, my savings should increase over time.

I also really like that I do not have a noisy compressor sitting outside my home. I like to say that is worth $1000 in peace and quite.

If you want geo, shop around and get references. It may not be as expensive in your area as in others.

Have any of you seen the Z-Max system. I heard rumors about it being a ground up re-tech of standard Geo Thermal systems. I beleive it is being developed by a man in Maine. I haven't checked into it in a while but thought it was worth looking at.