Replies

1. 
   Walter_Nelms | Dec 15, 1998 07:38pm | #1

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   A few weeks ago, I located a local supplier and installer of geothermal heatpumps. Based out of Pocahontas, AR, Hydro-Temp Corporation both manufacturers and installs a high quality geothermal system. These units are provided to contractors throughout the USA. He is also a contractor in this region of the country. I am located in Germantown, TN and know that he services here as well as over into middle Tennessee, so it depends where you are located. If he doesn't directly service your area, he'll know someone who does and will be able to provide the product. The contact name is Mike Jones at 800.382.3113. Good Luck with your new installation.

1. 
   Andrew_A._(in_La.) | Dec 18, 1998 12:04am | #2

   *Don,I just moved in to my 2500 sq. ft. conditioned space 2 story. Since this is family property & we dont ever plan to sell, we put in 2 geothermal units, which we figure will pay for themselves (@ 7% interest) in approx. 20 years. We went with Climatemaster, which is tops in the industry. Cost was right at $15 grand. Email me for the tonnage & other specs if desired. VERY happy to say the least with our choice.

2. 
   Guest_ | Dec 20, 1998 02:22am | #3

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   Don,

   A friend of mine just finished his first year in a new home serviced by two WaterFurnace GHP's. As we did extensive design and installation work on the GHP's (duct sizing, zoning, addition of ERV's), we were very curious to see how they performed. So far we are extremely pleased. The supplier and initial installer estimated $700/yr heating and cooling costs (house is 8000+ ft, using 1 3-ton and 1 4-ton.) Looks like estimate was very close. Units are quiet, can be idled for full-time circulation when not heating or cooling, and duct zoning helps deal with cathedral ceilings and open stair pit.

   The only real downer of the experience was the ground-loop trenching. We had serious problems with collapse (SE Ohio clay) and had to step up to a trackhoe ($$$). In retrospect we should have drilled. Due to depth and width of stepped trenches, we had to landscape twice to recover with grass. Good luck.

3. 
   Elwood | Dec 26, 1998 11:13pm | #4

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   Figure about 400 sq ft per ton. I suppose in your climate you'll mostly be using it for cooling loads. Definatley go with the boreholes. 100ft per ton. Do you have any drill logs available from some local government entity? Gravely shale is tougher to drill thru, wet sand is a perfect medium. Are you thinking of a "pump and dump" system? The grit from these gums up the works after a few years, better to go with a closed loop system. Careful what kind of anti-freeze solution you use, One kind out there mixes with the flux from the solder used on copper pipes, after five years you'll spring leaks at all threaded connections and about a year after that, the smooth connections will go:( All in all--groundsource heat pumps are the way to go. I'm involved with a commercial application at the moment, 30,000sq ft three-story office building. about 95 tons worth. We will be using 3 to 5 ton ceiling mounted units to zone 3 to 4 offices at a time. Good luck!!

4. 
   Don_ | Dec 26, 1998 11:15pm | #5

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   I am considering installing a geothermal heatpump system in my new home. I plan on using the ground loop system buried in the ground. Hopefully I will also be able to use the system for hot water heating in the summer. My home will be around 3500sqft and two story. The cost for two standard electric heat pumps in my area of tennessee is around$8,000 Including duct work. Any information from anyone who owns, or installs these systems would be greatly appreciated. I am particularly interested in cost of system and potential energy savings