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Is a Geothermal Heat Pump Worth It? My Net Zero Home
Posted on 10/3/23 at 4:48 pm
Posted on 10/3/23 at 4:48 pm
I'm posting this because a old friend's father who is an engineer, built his own geothermal heat pump system decades ago in Massachusetts. He said it was great.
A big 50 degree reservoir below the frost line is warm for winter and a really great resource in the South on those 100 degree days.
There was a low interest long term federal loan program for financing to go with the tax credit he mentioned. The stuff really works and makes a lot of sense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onmLrUh2cHU
A big 50 degree reservoir below the frost line is warm for winter and a really great resource in the South on those 100 degree days.
There was a low interest long term federal loan program for financing to go with the tax credit he mentioned. The stuff really works and makes a lot of sense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onmLrUh2cHU
13
Posted on 10/3/23 at 4:50 pm to Auburn1968
Only thing I have ever been told by someone who had one was "It can never get the house cold in the summer and never get it hot in the winter"
Grew up with a once through water cooled heat pump and that thing never had a single issue. Never got to turn it below 78 though.
Grew up with a once through water cooled heat pump and that thing never had a single issue. Never got to turn it below 78 though.
This post was edited on 10/3/23 at 4:51 pm
Posted on 10/3/23 at 4:51 pm to Auburn1968
That wont do shite.
How is it net zero when it has an electric pump and fan sorta like a typical HVAC?
How is it net zero when it has an electric pump and fan sorta like a typical HVAC?
This post was edited on 10/3/23 at 4:55 pm
Posted on 10/3/23 at 4:56 pm to Cosmo
I'm guessing the gain is efficiency.
So fewer panels/batteries to source if you keep your draw lower.
So fewer panels/batteries to source if you keep your draw lower.
Posted on 10/3/23 at 4:59 pm to Cosmo
quote:
How is it net zero when it has an electric pump and fan sorta like a typical HVAC?
Oh come on, don't be obtuse (that is best left to the professionals).
A net zero home doesn't have to have every subsystem zero out individually, that is the reason for the world net.
Posted on 10/3/23 at 5:02 pm to Auburn1968
The way I understand it, the climate in the south is too hot and too humid.
Posted on 10/3/23 at 5:02 pm to Obtuse1
quote:
A net zero home doesn't have to have every subsystem zero out individually, that is the reason for the world net.
Well where do you get to zero with a system that uses only slightly less?
None of this would matter if we were mostly nuclear
This post was edited on 10/3/23 at 5:03 pm
Posted on 10/3/23 at 5:05 pm to Auburn1968
If you want to piss your money away just send it to me
Posted on 10/3/23 at 5:14 pm to Cosmo
quote:
Well where do you get to zero with a system that uses only slightly less?
You are not this slow. To get to net zero you have to have multiple sub-systems some of the individual systems will be net positive and some will be net negative individually, the idea is when all combined and totaled over time you reach roughly net zero. For the entire thing to work you have to look at the efficiency of each part and do your best to optimize it within your budget.
quote:
None of this would matter if we were mostly nuclear
I don't see that as making sense. Even if nuclear energy was cheaper and far more abundant than what we have now it still doesn't mean people aren't going to look into ways to spend less money on energy. While some people and some ideas regarding energy savings are mainly driven by the environment I would say the vast majority of energy efficiency we build into our homes is driven by saving money and comfort.
Posted on 10/3/23 at 5:25 pm to Obtuse1
Oh I thought we were talking about net zero carbon or some bullshite
Posted on 10/3/23 at 5:26 pm to Auburn1968
I put it on a house I built when I still lived in Iowa. It was amazing, the heat and cool function were spot on and cheap. I also had free hot water while the heat or a/c was running. I forget which now.
I would definitely put one in again.
I would definitely put one in again.
Posted on 10/3/23 at 6:19 pm to Auburn1968
Depends on where u live. If in the south it will lose efficiency over time as the ground temp will rise over time since you are mostly rejecting heat into the ground instead of drawing it out.
Did some research years back for a project to see if feasible. Was a white paper project at fort Polk that showed over time the ground temp increased. Also the required spread in the wells was higher as well.
Up north, you reject heat in summer and draw in heat during the winter so good
Did some research years back for a project to see if feasible. Was a white paper project at fort Polk that showed over time the ground temp increased. Also the required spread in the wells was higher as well.
Up north, you reject heat in summer and draw in heat during the winter so good
Posted on 10/3/23 at 6:21 pm to Auburn1968
Or I’ll just continue to use my HVAC system that works fine
Posted on 10/3/23 at 6:22 pm to Auburn1968
quote:
The stuff really works and makes a lot of sense.
It makes sense in regions where it is feasible. Geothermal systems as a whole are only applicable to a very small percentage of the Earth where people actually live.
Posted on 10/3/23 at 6:29 pm to Auburn1968
It seems like even if it just lowered the house temperature to high 70s in the typical southern summer you could still get by with a small wall mounted AC in a main room or bedroom. Would have to save you significant money.
I also have spray foam insulation in my entire home (walls and roof) and my summer power bill for 3100 square feet was never more than $200. My neighbors power bill was $900 in August for a similar home.
I also have spray foam insulation in my entire home (walls and roof) and my summer power bill for 3100 square feet was never more than $200. My neighbors power bill was $900 in August for a similar home.
Posted on 10/3/23 at 7:01 pm to Obtuse1
Tests on these kinds of systems properly installed are said to reduce power consumption to about 25% of conventional heating and cool costs.
Posted on 10/3/23 at 7:04 pm to Clames
quote:
It makes sense in regions where it is feasible. Geothermal systems as a whole are only applicable to a very small percentage of the Earth where people actually live.
It won't work in NYC! There is no room. The suburbs and rural areas with a lot of land have something to work with.
One of the draw backs currently is the cost of copper. Copper pipes work best to exchange underground heat.
Posted on 10/3/23 at 7:07 pm to TygerTyger
They’re actually fantastic in the south. The ground temp is nearly constant and it is a much more efficient heat exchange than air, especially when the air is 95 in the summer and you’re trying to cool off hot refrigerant. If your wells are spaced correctly there is no worry about losing efficiency.
30% tax credit this year on new equipment, but not sure what it will be next year. They cost a lot more up front, but with the tax credit they end up about the same as a 16-17 seer conventional unit. And no exterior condensing unit to rust/leak refrigerant.
30% tax credit this year on new equipment, but not sure what it will be next year. They cost a lot more up front, but with the tax credit they end up about the same as a 16-17 seer conventional unit. And no exterior condensing unit to rust/leak refrigerant.
This post was edited on 10/3/23 at 7:09 pm
Posted on 10/3/23 at 7:34 pm to halleburton
quote:
They’re actually fantastic in the south
As noted my friend's engineer father built and installed his own in Taxachusettes decades ago. Worked great.
I suspect that anyone with construction experience or do-it-yourself skills could save a lot by installing the heat exchanger themselves.
"Net Zero" may be a BS goal, but reducing energy costs to 25% is a good thing.
Posted on 10/3/23 at 7:39 pm to Auburn1968
I don't know a lot about geothermal heat pumps but I have a good experience with my hybrid heat pump water if your looking to make your home more energy efficient( the home I bought had a Rheem hybrid already installed).
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