Over the course of the past three weeks, I have learned more than I could have ever imagined. While I am a mechanical engineer, and have been involved with a few studies of geothermal for large federal facilities, these past couple weeks since I closed on a home contract was the first time I had ever looked at the residential side. I have learned an immense amount. I now feel like I am an informed consumer. Between this site and GEOexchange, I know the questions to ask. Between testimonials, IGSHPA and direct recommendations I now have a list of 5 contractors to start with:. Tri-County Aire; Continental Services; Earth River Geothermal; Owens Comfort Systems; Southern Pride Services........ If any who view this post are directly associated with the above, or others serving southern Maryland, I would very much enjoy starting a dialogue now. I close on my home April 30th and expect to have contractors out the week of May 1-4 to evaluate my home and offer solutions. I am anxious to find an established company with regional history in geothermal. Again my thanks for the expert wisdom scattered throughout these sites from: Curt Kinder; Eric Sackett; Joe Hardin; Dewayne Dean; Doc Jenser; Bill (the WELserver guy); Looby; and many many others and newbies like me who ask the stupid questions. Hope to have install completed in May/June and be able to give feedback and advice. Best and later, Trent

Trent,

Thanks for sharing. It is nice to know that what we do makes a difference. Good Luck and let us know how it all turns out.

Posted By mtrentw on 13 Mar 2012 09:27 PM
..  Again my thanks for the expert wisdom scattered throughout these sites from: Curt Kinder; Eric Sackett; Joe Hardin; Dewayne Dean; Doc Jenser; Bill (the WELserver guy); Looby; and many many others and newbies like me who ask the stupid questions. Hope to have install completed in May/June and be able to give feedback and advice. Best and later, Trent

Thank you for the compliment, and for the privilege to be included in your list of names - those other named are well established in their knowledge and expertise with geo thermal HVAC.

Take a look at my implementation to monitor a well functioning geo installation: http://www.welserver.com/WEL0043/ .  Use this to forumate expectations of design.  Keep in mind I'm in a Southern climate so my 'brutal' days are during the Summer.  I average $52/month for heating a cooling a 3400 sf home in the Dallas climate, over a 12 month rolling average period, at 10 ¢/kWh.

Good luck with your installation!

Best regards,

Bill

Appreciate the kind words. Hope you don't need our help with a service problem.
Good Luck,
J

Thank you
Eric

Joe,

While I truly hope I do not have service problems, the most important thing learned here was to focus not on the best equipment, but the best installer who will stand by their work and do all he can to make it right. If there are problems, I have learned what the best tools/techniques are to gather the data and share it here and wait for the myriad suggestions/opinions/solutions. When all else fails, what amazed me was how many people will go out of their way to help someone out - i.e.- "I will be on vacation, it's only a few hours out of my way to drive by and look" or, "I'll be up in B.C. next week. WIll look at it for a cup of coffee." Just this past weekend, I had a DIYer, Paul, who is a mile from my new home, spend an hour of his weekend showing me his system with all the cost breakdowns, etc and offer to come by and help if I decided to try a DIY install. This is the most robust and interactive forum I have seen with the most competent and professional advice.

Trent

Glad to have been of assistance.

What goes around, comes around.

Curt glad to hear from you. Notice your long abscences now that you've quit your professional job for the DARK SIDE of contracting....LOL
Hope it's going well.

I would highly recommend getting in touch with Mark Schultz, P.G., President of Earth River Geothermal Inc. You can contact him at [email protected]; The U.S. Department of Energy had written the following in 2010 about Earth River Geothermal Heating and Cooling: http://energy.gov/articles/residential-tax-credits-boost-maryland-geothermal-business

@ earthrivergeo,

I went to your site and was quite impressed. Do you handle the drilling in house or sub it out?
Eric