Paul, I would also like to see pictures of your drill rig and grout pump. What are you using for a drill bit? What is your borehole size? Using any drilling fluid? At what rate are you drilling?

Thanks, Bob

My Email is [email protected]

If anyone else wants to see the pics go here.

http://pjcgeo.synthasite.com/

Thanks for the replies, Paul

The ice in a barrel idea will not provide enough BTUs as engineer stated. A residential hot water heater would be your best bet.  I think you can be confident that an 8 x 100' field will be more than sufficient for a 3.5 ton unit as long as the bores are separated by at least 10 feet. To be truthful, with that many boreholes you could probably get by with 8 foot separation, maybe even less.   The general rule of thumb (good for a ball park estimate only - not for actual design) is about 175-200 feet vertical per ton, especially if conductive soil. 

Keep in mind that heat transfer and loop capability depends on more than just bore lenght. it also depends upon water flow rates.

Question for you, how long does it take for you to bore a hole with your rig?

Best of luck to you.

Alex

Alex, because of the improvements that were being made in the middle drilling, and lack of experience, total drilling time per bore was not accurate. I believe my 3rd bore will take no more than 13 hrs.. The drilling time itself should be at minimum 20'/hr., which translates to only 5+ hrs. The balance of the time is flushing the bore, adding drill stem, mixing drill mud, removing cuttings from the tank, etc..