Badger Boy I just hit 36 for EWT here in Green Bay (Wisconsin). It will be interesting to see what happens when we get cold next week. I have exiting water at 32-33 and returning at 36-37 right now. I did see a touch of frost last week on the outgoing line.

Last spring when we turned the system on we hit a low of 31F with outgoing at 27F, lots of ice, but the system was running 24x7 for two weeks warming up 16,000 gallons from 40F to 90F.

My system was put in by Vans Refridgeration in Oneida not too far from you. I talked to Mike from Vans last week and he said he had several systems that he measured at 33° EWT already. You've seen my field description on page 1 of this post. Is my depth typical around the area and is it the same as yours ? He also said that the first year is always the worst because the field hasn't settled yet, but what does that mean in practical terms. Do the EWT's stay much higher the second year ? I'm logging my temps and will report again in a month or so. Right now the EWT is back to 37°.

I know our depth is 9-10 feet, not sure how normal that is. But I ahd heard the same thing from our installer, Alternate Energy's from Wrightstown, he said it isn't uncommon for a systems EWT to get below freezing. Although the more I know, the more I think they shouldn't get that low.

Yes the field settling should help; our field was installed in late summer 07 and sat all winter during construction, then started in spring of 08. I haven't noticed a difference, but then again starting our system put a lot of cold out in the field right away.

But our systems have similar EWT's, so that’s something anyway and apparently a bit above what is considered “normal”. So far so good.

for Badger Boy,  you had asked about the cost to install our system.

The total cost was about 20000. Three quotes all were about the same. Went with the company that seems to do the most instalations.
The grant program here currently provides up to about 8000 when upgrading from a fossil fuel system. Mine was propane.
We have to do an ecoEnergy audit to get into the system which involves a blower door test and inspection of the the exisiting structure and components. Various grants available for upgrades such as insulation, doors, windows and mostly the waterfurnace. It is a federal program but the province has matched the amounts so it is fairly signifigant.
3500 feds 3500 provincial PST refund 6% of total cost and some energy rebate of a few hundred bucks.
The audit itself costs about 500 but the province refunds 175 of that. I insulated the basement, added a low flow toilet and a new door in addition to the new furnace.
The Canadian dollar currently sits around 82 cent US.
Still trying to evaluate my hydro costs. They estimate for three months where I am at so the jury is still out on it effectiveness.
I have had one actual reading of the meter and seems better. Nov5-Dec5 bill up 130 from last year. Propane cost for same period last year was about 450. You can see why I swithched. Mind you the insulation I added may have helped as well.
So far I am quite happy with it over all. I also have been leaving the thermostat at a constant 69 or 70. Would be nice to drop it  abit at night for comfort alone.
So as long as my loop does get too much colder..... all is well.
I wonder if you can add length to a loop after the initial installation.

Regards

Jason

Jason,
Lots of information there. Does that exchange rate mean that your $20,000 canadian equals $16,400 american...or is my math bad ? :)) Sounds like you get a pretty good deal.
just to let you know.....our EWT is moving down to 35° today. We're getting colder, headed to -20° this week but my system is still on stage 1 most of the time. When it gets below 0° at night it kicks into stage 2 once or twice in an hour for 5 or 10 minutes.

Thats about right with the exchange rate. It has been a bit volatile lately.
The grant program seems like a great deal. not sure I would have done it otherwise.

I need to buy a better thermometer to put in the ports. The meat one seems to only go down to 32. EWT yesteday was actually up to 34 from 32. We will see what this next cold snap brings. How do you know when you second stage kicks. Is it just the sound of the compressor?
My thermostat only has a light to indicate third stage.
Thanks again for the info.

Jason

My thermostat is the TP32W02 and it indicates "stage 1" when in stage 1 and "stage 1 + 2" when in stage 2. "stage 1 + 2" flashes when it wants to kick in the auxilary heating strip, but I have that disabled by means of the dip switch and I'm waiting to see if I can get by without it. I use an inexpensive Springfield thermometer with a 10 foot remote probe that transmits wirelessly to a console upstairs. I inserted the sensor underneath the insulation on the field input line to measure EWT. I can also tell when stage 2 kicks in by the speed of the fan. The air flow increases. I don't hear the compressor.

Ask your installer the design temp for the loops. Your u tubes don't put a huge amount of exchange in the ground. I suspect your installer designs for low temps making for an economical installation but slightly higher operation costs.
Good luck,
Joe

Thanks for the comments. So far the installer has only said it is normal for the EWT to get a bit below freezing. Currently my EWT is at 29F. I am also seeing the 3rd stage kick in in the early morning periodically during a couple hour period. Outside air temp is currently -4F. About 8 inches of snow on the ground.

Given the extra cold winter weather, it sounds like you are in pretty good shape

I agree, doesn't sound crazy. We are definately experiencing an unusually cold stretch in the Detroit area.
J