Greener Homes in So. NH? (Hollis: house, heat pump, buying)

[boscoo]

Has anybody got experience on converting an existing home, (1980 or older) to one that is truely environmentally friendly? I'm thinking beyond the new floroscent bulbs and controlled thermostats. I would like to hear about geothermal heat, P.V. and/or solar power sources. Has anybody looked into or actually completed any of these bigger conversions in the Southern N.H. area and was it cost effective from a savings point or increased value to your home? Do you have websites or contractors that can give estimates?



Thanks for any info you have

[BF66389]

We're thinking of looking into geothermal heat pumps for the place that we're *hopefully* buying in Hollis. Realistically I imagine energy costs & records to prove it would be a big selling point; but again- no good examples for you.

We did look at homes in a new development called "conservation drive", but it ended up to be more of a marketing ploy than a real conservation-minded home effort.

[jeepnh311]

did you end up going geo at the house you're hopefully buying?

[BF66389]

We actually didn't, but it ended up being because of other things we need to address first that will have a more immediate impact on value and energy savings.

I got one quote for an open loop system (needs two high performing wells) and the price was insane $50-$75k; and it required replacement of all our existing heating/cooling ducts (we have forced air already).

I think there are better Geothermal solutions than that (closed vertical loop) though which would have lower costs, likewise with the duct issue as popularity grows a more "retrofit" based system will appear.

I have been looking into cold-weather heat pumps lately...$14k or so installed for pump & air handler. The only issue is that the company is small so if they go out of business- no parts. So we're waiting for that to become more popular. They are efficient down to -30 or so and are very efficient at heating and cooling as well...

[CometVoyager]

Originally Posted by boscoo

Has anybody got experience on converting an existing home, (1980 or older) to one that is truely environmentally friendly? I'm thinking beyond the new floroscent bulbs and controlled thermostats. I would like to hear about geothermal heat, P.V. and/or solar power sources. Has anybody looked into or actually completed any of these bigger conversions in the Southern N.H. area and was it cost effective from a savings point or increased value to your home? Do you have websites or contractors that can give estimates?
Thanks for any info you have

The best way to construct a green home anywhere is to never have any solar panels and never those toxic mercury light bulbs! If you really want to trash the environment then have your mercury filled light bulbs and toxic solar systems!

Anthracite stoker stoves are by far the most efficient and environmentally friendly energy sources for any home! However, sometimes you may have problems acquiring enough anthracite coal.

[BF66389]

Comet- they make CFLs with significantly lower levels of mercury now.

Likewise they now have solar panels that are build using more environmentally responsible practices and don't contain metals like lead.

Of course purchasing either also relies on the research of the individual doing the purchasing...but if you're going to drop the $$$ on solar panels, I assume you'd do this.