Geothermal heat
Last Post 29 Jul 2007 11:12 AM by megatek. 25 Replies.
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JohnCujieUser is Offline
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25 Feb 2007 06:11 PM
I'm looking for an actual cost for a geothrmal system.  Has anyone had one installed?  Internet research puts prices all over the map.  My new house will be ICF construction, 2100 square feet on one level, plenty of room for trenching.  I was hoping to do the system for $15,000 excluding the earthwork.  Does this seem reasonable?  I've gotten one quote at $21,500 which is disheartening.

Thanks,  John
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25 Feb 2007 08:45 PM
Posted By JohnCujie on 02/25/2007 6:11 PM
I'm looking for an actual cost for a geothrmal system.  Has anyone had one installed?
John,
You might ask over at OurCoolHouse(forum). You will find some GSHP proponents over there.

Good Luck!
....jc<br>If you're not building with OSB SIPS(or ICF's), why are you building?
EarthavenUser is Offline
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26 Feb 2007 07:54 AM
The estimate we just got, in the NE for a 3000 sf home, was $38,000. VERY disheartening. Have you heard of an "air source" heat pump? I am currently looking into this -- it's around 1/3 the cost: http://www.gotohallowell.com/
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26 Feb 2007 02:20 PM
Posted By Earthaven on 02/26/2007 7:54 AM
The estimate we just got, in the NE for a 3000 sf home, was $38,000. VERY disheartening. Have you heard of an "air source" heat pump?
Just say NO! An air source heat pump tries to extract heat from outside air. If it's fairly cold out, there's little heat to be had.

I would super insulate, and possibly look into active solar. Either way, if you super insulate, your fuel bills would be low.

Good Luck!
....jc<br>If you're not building with OSB SIPS(or ICF's), why are you building?
600rmkUser is Offline
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28 Feb 2007 01:25 PM
I just received a quote for $51,600 for a system for my 4500 sq ft house. Price includes complete installation of all components. System will provide heating and cooling for the entire house and radiant floor heat for 1000 sq ft garage. House and garage will be made with SIPs and the roof system will be a typical truss system with insulation. It was a little on the rough side to get that number but it will not stop my pursuit on this type of system.
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28 Feb 2007 09:25 PM
i will probably incure the wrath of the faithful but i would say that having an icf house and geothermal is overkill. with the airtight envelope of the icf house an airsource will more than do the job in most climates. the geothermal system will never save enough additional energy to pay for itself.
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01 Mar 2007 01:34 PM
I would look at arit.com they have geo kits that are plug and play for a lot less than you are looking at now!Vhehn look again do a heat calc. geo will pay for its self in 4 to 7 years. sips will not!
Changing How the World BUILDS!<br>Green , Done , Easy<br>Woulf c.c. of Wisconsin
vhehnUser is Offline
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01 Mar 2007 05:47 PM
i am not so sure about that. i live in a sip walled house with an air source heat pump. my american standard heating system retailed for about 8k. the op said his geo bid was 21k. my heat and cooling bills average 47 a month. if i could cut that in half with geo,doubtful,how long would it take for me to break even?
icfblocksUser is Offline
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10 Mar 2007 09:31 PM
Vhehn,
Take a look at this link. It clearly states a 50% savings over other heating and cooling systems, plus 50% of your hot water free with a dsuperheater added. http://www.georgiapower.com/residential/geoexchange.asp To you that's 23.50 plus hot water savings. depending upon how you buy your geo system it will save money. Look at th system on WWW.arit.com
Thanks,<br>Tom<br>www.advbuildingtech.com
jimUser is Offline
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15 Mar 2007 11:41 PM
For a 2000 square foot ICF house we paid $42k for a synergy 3 geo pump, all ducting, 3 vertical wells, warmboard on both floors, radiant in the basement slab and all radiant controls for 3 zones.

I think it's reasonable, and the house is very, very comfortable.
Bob IUser is Offline
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18 Mar 2007 01:13 PM
ergnut
What part of the country are you in & what is your roof insulation?
Bob Irving<br>RH Irving Homebuilders<br>Certified Passive House Consultant
barbara1User is Offline
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08 Apr 2007 07:37 PM
I live in an older brick home that is insulated. The heated area is 5600 square feet. The heat is supplied by a boiler that supplies a low pressure vapor to radiators. Is it practical to use geotherm to either assist the existing boiler or replace the boiler?

Jim Clemmons
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12 Apr 2007 01:02 PM
I just received another quote for my project in Central MN. The new quote for the same job was $36,700. The old quote was for $51,600. That's quite a difference! I guess it goes to show you that doing a little extra research can have big benefits.
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12 Apr 2007 01:35 PM
Ohio & blown cellulose - R44.
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12 Apr 2007 01:37 PM
What are the specs of the quote?
jbrown84User is Offline
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13 Apr 2007 08:23 PM

Our family also is planning an ICF house, with Warmboard radiant heat, and I'm considering geothermal heat.  1.  Who is best suited to coordinate all these interrelated trades?  2. What's the best way to do A/C with radiant and geothermal? 

Jeff
Mystic, CT

jimUser is Offline
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13 Apr 2007 11:25 PM
Obviously a good GC should be able to do this, but there's no reason a good geo contractor couldn't do the radiant and geo.  One thing is the warmboard - we bought it through the geo contractor, but the GC installed it because they needed it in order to have a surface from which to stack the ICF blocks for the upper floors.
You will ber happy with Geo, radiant and ICF.  It's an amazing combination.
jbrown84User is Offline
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14 Apr 2007 03:33 PM
Ergnut,

Thanks for the input. 2 follow-up questions. (1) Is the expense of geothermal justified for a house with an ICF basement and 1st floor (2nd floor is basically finished attic space under the roof)? (2) if yes, how would you find a qualified geothermal contractor in my area -- southeastern CT near Rhode Island.

Regards,

Jeff
Mystic, CT
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15 Apr 2007 05:37 PM
Posted By jbrown84 on 04/14/2007 3:33 PM
2 follow-up questions. (1) Is the expense of geothermal justified for a house with an ICF basement and 1st floor (2nd floor is basically finished attic space under the roof)?

Back at ya:
  • What is your Heat Loss?
  • Do you need A/C?
(2) if yes, how would you find a qualified geothermal contractor in my area -- southeastern CT near Rhode Island

Sorry, can't help you there.
....jc<br>If you're not building with OSB SIPS(or ICF's), why are you building?
jbrown84User is Offline
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18 Apr 2007 01:41 PM
I haven't done the calculation yet. But the house will include:
- 2000 sf ICF walled finished basement (all below grade with no openings, and radiant in the concrete floor),
- 2000 sf of ICF walled 1st floor, 9' high that includes nine 5' x 5' windows facing east with Warmboard radiant
- 2300 sf of conventionally framed 2nd floor (basically finished attic space under the roof) with Warmboard radiant
- A/C thoughout
- 6000 degree days per year in our area

1. Is geothermal worth considering?
2. What is the best way to do the A/C?

Thanks.

Jeff



? (2) if yes, how would you find a qualified geothermal contractor in my area -- southeastern CT near Rhode Island.

Regards,

Jeff
Mystic, CT
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