Replies

1. 
   Randy_M | Feb 01, 2002 06:09am | #1

   *
   I was just wondering if anyone recomends going with geothermal or if it is more cost efficient to insulate with icelyne and just put a high efficient furnace and air conditoner. I'm located in central Iowa.

   Thanks for the input

1. 
   The_Tennis_Court_Builder_...on_t | Feb 01, 2002 06:27am | #2

   *Cloud Hidden is your man....Do you have off peak electric rates... and special rates for those that heat with electric? You should check this with your utility and give us your rates.near the stream,ajGeothermal will cut your bill to 1/4-1/5 so I hear.

1. 
   Randy_M | Feb 01, 2002 06:40am | #3

   *I would get a rebate in the beginning for installing the geothermal heat pump of about 2000 I will get rates from the Utility

1. 
   Cloud_Hidden | Feb 01, 2002 05:14pm | #4

   *I'd insulate well regardless of what I use to produce heat. Nothin' feels worse than paying to make heat and watching it go out the walls faster 'n you can make it.Lots of recent discussion on this with aj, David Thomas, et al if you search on "geothermal" (I just checked, and the search seemed to hit all the good threads). If they don't answer your questions, give a yell.I'm envious you'll get a rebate! NC has incentives for wind, solar, etc, but not geo. At least CPL has decent rates...

1. 
   Art_B. | Feb 01, 2002 07:44pm | #5

   *Insulation always pays, Cloud liked the attached chart before, since have added the geothermal line (bottom, but not incl initial cost), based on COP of 3.9 @ 53F ground temp. Adjust for Iowa, this one is for Seattle, 5000 sq ft heated, 5500 deg days. Needs to get below 45F air before the lines for air-air and ground source diverge, not very often too much colder than that here. See following chart.

2. 
   Art_B. | Feb 01, 2002 07:48pm | #6

   *This chart was used in conjunction with previous chart to get overall yearly cost delta when I did my trade a few years back (went with air-air as there was only a $56 a year saving with ground source due to relatively mild PNW weather. These type charts are available on the NOAA.gov web site for all locales, good for estimating yearly heat load.