Here are the answers to a lot  of the questions that are asked by newcomers to this board.


AN INFORMATION SURVIVAL KIT
FOR THE PROSPECTIVE
GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP OWNER

Great info, Dean. Very helpful to me since I begin meeting with contractors tomorrow morning.

I'm starting with a Earthlinked DX installer that has only been carrying the product for about a year and he's done 4 installations. I asked him to include references and he confessed none of the 4 installs have been through a full cycle yet. My question is about the questions I should be asking the installers? This is a full retro fit that will need duct work. Should I focus on these guys doing Manual J, D calculations? Any other calculations? Should I expect the number to vary between the contractors?

At this point I think it will be a water to air, 6 ton system and I'm more in favor of an open loop vertical well. Although I have city water I would like to have the lawn sprinklers tied to the well and (this might sound weird) in the event of a Katrina style break down in civil service I like the idea having a back-up water supply.

Thanks in advance.