Anybody know about geothermal heating? (Dover, Barrington: mortgage, new home, heat pump)

[NJ2NH]

As we've been continuing our housing hunt along the Seacoast area, we've run across some new homes being built in Dover that advertise geothermal heating. Does anybody know anything how that works and if it really is possible to have no fuel bill? Given this winter, that honestly sounds too good to be true--but if it is possible....wow. I learned so much from the septic systems thread, that I'm hoping someone will know as much about this. Thanks!

[CometVoyager]

Originally Posted by NJ2NH

As we've been continuing our housing hunt along the Seacoast area, we've run across some new homes being built in Dover that advertise geothermal heating. Does anybody know anything how that works and if it really is possible to have no fuel bill? Given this winter, that honestly sounds too good to be true--but if it is possible....wow. I learned so much from the septic systems thread, that I'm hoping someone will know as much about this. Thanks!

I have attached the Dept of Energy Pamphlet regarding Geo Heat Pumps. The Tech has been around for many years and in some instances it can do a good job but it also has its draw backs as well. So far there is no silver bullet. Hope you can open the attachment. If you can't let me know and I will direct message it for you.

Attachment 20732

[WannaComeHome]

I don't know too much about them, although hubby wants to investigate (frankly, since we're going to have an in-ground house, I think geo-thermal heating won't really help much). I do have a friend in Barrington who has a geo-thermal heater. I spoke with her briefly last weekend, she says they absolutely love their heater, but not so much the guy who installed it when the house was being built . She's not completely up on how it works but says there is a part that is connected to their well, and usually a part that is installed in the ground. She said it was expensive to put in, and most people she knew that were interested usually changed their mind when they saw the cost, but they figured it was definately going to pay for itself and now their heating bills are considerably lower. They are very happy with it.

[GregW]

Geothermal heat in New England is also called Ground Source Heat Pump system. These use a Heat Pump (reversible refrigerator) to take heat out of the relatively warm subsurface and deliver it to the home as heated water or air. Heat Pumps move more heat than they use in electricity and if the heat source is not cold air are very efficient. These systems are expensive because a deep well or a fairly large plastic heat collection coil has to be installed in the ground as a heat source.

GSHPs are ideal for radiant heated floors because they are most efficient delivering relatively low temperature water from a relatively warm heat source. The lower the differential temperature form source to sink the greater the efficiency. GSHPs can also be used in conjunction with low temperature solar panels as a way of recovering solar energy without having to collect the solar energy at high temperature.

GSHPs can also, if arranged to circulate the household air, as summer air conditioners. The same refrigeration unit cools the air and transports the heat into the ground loop. This is more efficient than trying to cool hot air and reject the heat into the same hot air. The rejected heat can then, to a limited extent, be recaptured by the GSHPs during the winter.

These devices require electricity to operate and will not provide service if the power service is interrupted but a suitably sized emergency generator can keep the place warm during a power failure. All in all I am very favorably impressed with these systems. If the cost can be amortized as part of the mortgage they will be a relatively low cost long-term system.

[NJ2NH]

Thanks. The information you sent is very helpful. It makes sense to me now, and the addition of an emergency generator would be a simple safeguard. One thing I wonder about,though; if there is no hot or cold air blowing, how will my cat find the best space to hog?!

[GregW]

Cars are very creative about getting in the way. Don't worry it will find the sunlit patch or your lap. Ours certainly does.

[bryfry]

Originally Posted by GregW

Cars are very creative about getting in the way....

Move that index finger over one key, Greg.

[GregW]

Sorry, I see what I expect, not what is there, when I try to edit my miserable typing.

[lisa g]

We live on an aquapher(sp?) & have a shallow well (point well?) Does this condition facilitate the heat exchange of the geothermal system or hinder it in any way?
What exactly are the drawbacks?
Thanks for the pdf, Comet and for everyone's informative input.

[GregW]

I will suggest avoiding the aquifer based Geothermal and use the dry ground systems instead. Also suggest google New Endland Geothermal. They have a huge amount of information on these systems as well as an installer certification program.