Replies

1. 
   David_Thomas | Jan 12, 2002 02:57am | #1

   *
   Ireland has a good climate for heat pumps, even air-source ones. A long heating season, but hot any really cold weather - which would require a large unit or other, back-up systems.

   Cost 1/4 as much to operate? Potentially. Depends on your cost of oil and cost of electricity. Very slightly on your climate for geothermal-source heat pumps. Post your energy costs and someone may be able to confirm or deny those claims. -David

1. 
   eddie | Jan 12, 2002 03:03am | #2

   *i'm happy with the reported energy savings i've seen, david, but i'm mainly interested in the idea and whether it really works in the field?thank for replygood stuff

1. 
   David_Thomas | Jan 12, 2002 03:39am | #3

   *Sure, it works. It ain't rocket science. Just a refrigerator turned inside out. Like any plumbing or heating system, it can be installed correctly or not. So get references on the installer and CALL THEM to check. Ask around on your own. Sizing, unobtrusive installation, and good support to the client can be independent of whether the manufacturer's instructions were followed.

1. 
   Mike_Smith | Jan 12, 2002 04:07am | #4

   *the problem with geothermal in the past is that the market share didn't support the industry..the equipment is fairly sophisticated... and is one level more complicated than standard air conditioning or even standard heat pumps that use ambient air as their heat source.. the installer and the serviceman have to know all about air.... AND WATER...everything has to be sized correctly, including ductwork, especially ductwork..the controls also include the ground water source pumps...and everything depends on the ability of the HVAC company to service the equipment... a lot of people who initially got involved in geothermal did not stay..and the mfr's either folded or dropped the line and the warranties became void....boiler service people are more numerous than hvac people who are more numerous than geothermal service people... so the cost of service goes up..all of my experience is from the '80's but i don't see any fundamental change in the economics nor in the industry.....someone else may have more current information... but i'd ask anyone you deal with how long they have been in business and i'd look at the financials of the mfr...most will not have the staying power...

1. 
   eddie | Jan 12, 2002 10:57am | #5

   *i appreciate the post's.mike, i'm in ireland so maybe the suppliers are not subject to what you have been saying, but i'll certainly check out what you suggested.in ireland, fuel cost's more than yours' does, so we have been searching out 'green' method's for a while now.yesterday, the go-ahead was given for the biggest windfarm in the world, which will be located 5 miles off shore of our coast, pretty cool.good stuff

2. 
   Cloud_Hidden | Jan 12, 2002 06:53pm | #6

   *I have one and agree with what David wrote. Now I've only had it for 1 1/2 yrs, but in the two heating seasons thus far, it's performed great. Take that for what it's worth. Not old enough to have Mike's experience from the 1880's , so can't provide historical perspective. Hard for me to compare efficiency be/c I don't have another system here to run side-by-side. But I do like the quiet and that there's no flame or fumes. Everything's in a nice neat box in the utility room with easy access.

3. 
   Mike_Smith | Jan 12, 2002 07:08pm | #7

   *cloud..if your's is geothermal.. what is your heat source ?did you bury a loop or use a well ?

4. 
   Cloud_Hidden | Jan 13, 2002 05:51am | #8

   *Closed loop in a well.

5. 
   Dave_Richeson | Jan 13, 2002 08:08am | #9

   *eddie, I had a WaterFurnace geothermal unit installed in my father in laws house when I built it ten years ago. Ground source vertical loops through clay and layers of rock, 165 foot bore for each ton of unit capacity. So far the unit has been very reliable, one service call in ten years. Thus far my FIL has retained bragging rights for energy cost in the development he built in. Electric rates are about 6 cent a kwh where he lives. As Mike has pointed out installation and service are the two prime detractors of geothermal. Eguipment and reliability have improved even in the tens years since we installed. The unit we installed was considered 300% efficient, but I think that is "ideal everything." I would reccomend you find a manufacture with the best product and sevice history in you area. Ask them for a list of referances from customers, and follow them up. Also ask for thier certified installer list, and find out how reliable they are on follow up service work. That is ussually the weak point in the installation contractors folder. If they have a good service response history, it will come at a premium price.As an aside, if you are use to gas, oil, or boiler type heat, forced air heat pump systems take some getting use too.Dave

6. 
   eddie | Jan 13, 2002 02:48pm | #10

   *thanks for the info guy's.good stuff