WaterFurnace Geothermal - A Convenient Truth
This is a great and simple presentation on the benefits and comfort of a WaterFurnace geothermal heating, cooling and hot water system. I am on my second home with WaterFurnace in it and I would not have anything else in my home. My utility bills are typical half what my neighbors experience. In fact, my neighbors get tired of me asking them about their bills and then sharing mine with them. WaterFurnace is "Smarter from the Ground Up"!
About geothermal heating: Advantages
* Low heating costs.
* Uses significantly less electricity than conventional heating or cooling systems.
* Forty-eight percent more efficient than gas furnaces, 75 percent more efficient than oil furnaces.
* Uses the Earth’s natural heat, a renewable energy.
* Low level of greenhouse gas and other air emissions.
* System both heats and cools a house.
* Free hot water in summer, reduced cost the rest of the year.
* Quiet operation.
* Uniform heating, eliminates hot and cold spots.
* No furnace or chimney to clean.
* Maintenance is just changing the heat pump unit’s air filter.
* Can be retrofitted in existing homes, particularly those with forced air duct systems.
* Underground piping should last more than 50 years.
* High installation costs.
* Requires an appropriate site — a big yard for horizontal installation, bedrock-free ground for vertical installation or a well or pond.
* Must dig trenches or bore holes on property for pipes.
* Installation can be complicated.
* In the city, installation may not be possible because of small lots.
* Geothermal units often are not compatible with existing houses with hot water heat and radiators.
* Geothermal is not as green as solar energy in the Northland because geothermal heat pumps run on coal-based electricity.
* Payback on installation costs could be as long as 20 years.
* Need to hire a certified installer.
* Uses significantly less electricity than conventional heating or cooling systems.
* Forty-eight percent more efficient than gas furnaces, 75 percent more efficient than oil furnaces.
* Uses the Earth’s natural heat, a renewable energy.
* Low level of greenhouse gas and other air emissions.
* System both heats and cools a house.
* Free hot water in summer, reduced cost the rest of the year.
* Quiet operation.
* Uniform heating, eliminates hot and cold spots.
* No furnace or chimney to clean.
* Maintenance is just changing the heat pump unit’s air filter.
* Can be retrofitted in existing homes, particularly those with forced air duct systems.
* Underground piping should last more than 50 years.
* High installation costs.
* Requires an appropriate site — a big yard for horizontal installation, bedrock-free ground for vertical installation or a well or pond.
* Must dig trenches or bore holes on property for pipes.
* Installation can be complicated.
* In the city, installation may not be possible because of small lots.
* Geothermal units often are not compatible with existing houses with hot water heat and radiators.
* Geothermal is not as green as solar energy in the Northland because geothermal heat pumps run on coal-based electricity.
* Payback on installation costs could be as long as 20 years.
* Need to hire a certified installer.
Geothermal heat pumps FAQ - part 1
Definition of a Heat Pump
What is a geothermal heat pump?
How does the heat pump work?
How is the heat transferred between the earth and home?
You mentioned heating and cooling - does it do both?
Do I need separate ground loops for heating and cooling?
Do I need separate ground loops for heating and cooling?
What types of loops are available?
Does the underground pipe system really work?
What is a closed loop system?
Geothermal Heat Pumps: Closed loop systems
Geothermal heat pumps: Open loop systems
What is a geothermal heat pump?
How does the heat pump work?
How is the heat transferred between the earth and home?
You mentioned heating and cooling - does it do both?
Do I need separate ground loops for heating and cooling?
Do I need separate ground loops for heating and cooling?
What types of loops are available?
Does the underground pipe system really work?
What is a closed loop system?
Geothermal Heat Pumps: Closed loop systems
Geothermal heat pumps: Open loop systems
Geothermal energy will save money over time
AMY HOWELL, CINCINNATI ENQUIRER
Posted: 11/8/2007
If you can handle a hefty initial expense in exchange for long-term savings, it might be worth taking a deeper look at geothermal heating and cooling systems, which the Environmental Protection Agency has called one of the "most efficient and comfortable heating and cooling technologies currently available."
Most of us have experienced the underlying concept of geothermal heat simply by stepping into a cave. The earth maintains a year-round temperature of 50 to 70 degrees. A geothermal heating system uses a water/antifreeze solution, circulating through systems of buried polyethylene pipe, to transfer that energy throughout the home.
Most homeowners install vertical closed-loop systems, which reach depths of 150-300 feet. Horizontal systems are less expensive but don't transfer as much heat, says Mike Dempsey, owner of American Heating & Air Conditioning in Cincinnati.
How it works
In the winter, the liquid in the pipes absorbs the heat and carries it to coils in a heat exchanger. The heated air is distributed through the home via traditional ductwork. In the summer, the flow reverses, carrying hot air down and transferring cool air up to a condenser, compressor and evaporator where the air is chilled and dehumidified. Most systems also provide hot water for the home.
This transfer of heat is powered by an electric heat pump and generates four to five kilowatts of heat for every kilowatt of electricity used, according to ClimateMaster, a manufacturer of geothermal units.
A hefty investment
Drilling is the most expensive installation charge, and often the most stressful for homeowners.
"You've just got to accept that it's going to be a mess for a while," says Nancy Craig, who had a geothermal system installed for her Cincinnati home in August.
Both homeowners and installers stress that geothermal is a long-term investment.
"The drawback is that there is a large initial expense, but in my case it was worth it," says James B. Helmer Jr. In January, Helmer and his wife, Deborah, installed 20 vertical loops to support five geothermal systems in their home.
"The main reason you do something like this is, over time, it will pay for itself," Helmer says.
The (eventual) payoff
Geothermal systems start at about $20,000, versus $7,000-$10,000 for a high-efficiency natural-gas furnace and air conditioning system, says Dempsey, who installs both types.
The payback comes monthly. A comparison from ClimateMaster estimates the annual heating cost for a home using a basic geothermal system is $347, compared with $1,768 for a 91 percent-efficient gas furnace.
The EPA estimates it takes three to five years for the average homeowner's monthly savings to make up for the additional cost of a geothermal system. It took Helmer about 10 years to recoup the cost of his previous system, installed in 1995. It was expected to take seven to eight years.
Although there are incentives for geothermal energy, Helmer says the tax savings don't compare with the incentives offered by the federal government when he installed solar panels on a previous home in the late 1970s.
"We'll maybe save $300 in taxes" on this system, Helmer says. "That's not the reason to do it."
A new method in development by the Department of Energy's Building Technologies program could drop the price of geothermal systems by placing the geothermal loops in the home's foundation and eliminating the need for drilling.
"Geothermal is much more affordable if you can incorporate it into new construction rather than retrofitting," says Ed Pollock, residential team leader with the Building Technologies program.
Integrating a geothermal system into the home's construction also allows homeowners to finance it as part of their mortgage, Pollock says.
AP-NY-10-29-07 0938EDT
Posted: 11/8/2007
If you can handle a hefty initial expense in exchange for long-term savings, it might be worth taking a deeper look at geothermal heating and cooling systems, which the Environmental Protection Agency has called one of the "most efficient and comfortable heating and cooling technologies currently available."
Most of us have experienced the underlying concept of geothermal heat simply by stepping into a cave. The earth maintains a year-round temperature of 50 to 70 degrees. A geothermal heating system uses a water/antifreeze solution, circulating through systems of buried polyethylene pipe, to transfer that energy throughout the home.
Most homeowners install vertical closed-loop systems, which reach depths of 150-300 feet. Horizontal systems are less expensive but don't transfer as much heat, says Mike Dempsey, owner of American Heating & Air Conditioning in Cincinnati.
How it works
In the winter, the liquid in the pipes absorbs the heat and carries it to coils in a heat exchanger. The heated air is distributed through the home via traditional ductwork. In the summer, the flow reverses, carrying hot air down and transferring cool air up to a condenser, compressor and evaporator where the air is chilled and dehumidified. Most systems also provide hot water for the home.
This transfer of heat is powered by an electric heat pump and generates four to five kilowatts of heat for every kilowatt of electricity used, according to ClimateMaster, a manufacturer of geothermal units.
A hefty investment
Drilling is the most expensive installation charge, and often the most stressful for homeowners.
"You've just got to accept that it's going to be a mess for a while," says Nancy Craig, who had a geothermal system installed for her Cincinnati home in August.
Both homeowners and installers stress that geothermal is a long-term investment.
"The drawback is that there is a large initial expense, but in my case it was worth it," says James B. Helmer Jr. In January, Helmer and his wife, Deborah, installed 20 vertical loops to support five geothermal systems in their home.
"The main reason you do something like this is, over time, it will pay for itself," Helmer says.
The (eventual) payoff
Geothermal systems start at about $20,000, versus $7,000-$10,000 for a high-efficiency natural-gas furnace and air conditioning system, says Dempsey, who installs both types.
The payback comes monthly. A comparison from ClimateMaster estimates the annual heating cost for a home using a basic geothermal system is $347, compared with $1,768 for a 91 percent-efficient gas furnace.
The EPA estimates it takes three to five years for the average homeowner's monthly savings to make up for the additional cost of a geothermal system. It took Helmer about 10 years to recoup the cost of his previous system, installed in 1995. It was expected to take seven to eight years.
Although there are incentives for geothermal energy, Helmer says the tax savings don't compare with the incentives offered by the federal government when he installed solar panels on a previous home in the late 1970s.
"We'll maybe save $300 in taxes" on this system, Helmer says. "That's not the reason to do it."
A new method in development by the Department of Energy's Building Technologies program could drop the price of geothermal systems by placing the geothermal loops in the home's foundation and eliminating the need for drilling.
"Geothermal is much more affordable if you can incorporate it into new construction rather than retrofitting," says Ed Pollock, residential team leader with the Building Technologies program.
Integrating a geothermal system into the home's construction also allows homeowners to finance it as part of their mortgage, Pollock says.
AP-NY-10-29-07 0938EDT
FAQ: If I want to know more about geothermal heat pump systems, whom
YOUR ELECTRIC UTILITY. Most electric utilities have information about these systems. I you have a question they can't answer, they will put you in contact with someone who can. Remember! Your Electric Utility Wants You To Be An Informed, Efficient User Of Electricity. Contact Them Any Time You Have A Question About Heating And Cooling Systems.
FAQ: If a home has ceiling cable heat or baseboard heat, do air ducts need to
Not always. It may be desirable to install geothermal heat pump room units. For some small homes, one room unit would provide most of the heating and cooling needs. Ceiling cable or baseboard units could then be used for supplemental heat.
FAQ: How long is the payback period for your geothermal heat pump system?
To figure this accurately, you must know how much per year you'll save in energy costs with a geothermal system and the difference in costs between it and a conventional heating system and central air conditioner. As an example: If you'll save $700 per year with a geothermal system and the cost difference is $2,000, your payback will be less than three years.
Heat pumps FAQ - 2 questions
FAQ: Will open or closed-loop be best for you?
That depends on several factors, as stated earlier. A dealer should be willing to install what's best for you, not for him.
FAQ: Will the loop joints be heat fused?
The only acceptable method for joining sections of the special pipe used for closed-loop systems is heat fusion. Any other method will eventually result in failure of the loop.
That depends on several factors, as stated earlier. A dealer should be willing to install what's best for you, not for him.
FAQ: Will the loop joints be heat fused?
The only acceptable method for joining sections of the special pipe used for closed-loop systems is heat fusion. Any other method will eventually result in failure of the loop.
FAQ: Are the dealer and loop installers qualified?
Don't be afraid to ask for references from dealers. A reputable dealer won't hesitate to give you names and numbers to call to confirm his capabilities. The same with the loop installer.
FAQ: Will the minimum entering water temperature have an affect on which
Yes. If you have an open-loop system, your entering water temperatures may range from the 70s in the southern United States to the 40s in Canada. All heat pumps can handle temperatures in the moderate to warm ranges. A closed-loop system, on the other hand, will encounter EWT's below freezing. Not all geothermal heat pumps will operate efficiently at those temperatures. It's important for you to know what EWT's your heat pump will handle.
FAQ: Is the efficiency rating actual or just a manufacturer's average?
All types of heating and cooling systems have a rated efficiency. Fossil fuel furnaces have a percentage efficiency rating. Natural gas, propane and fuel oil furnaces have efficiency ratings based on laboratory conditions. To get an accurate installed efficiency rating, factors such as flue gas heat losses, cycling losses caused by over sizing, blower fan electrical usage, etc., must be included. Geothermal heat pumps, as well as all other types of heat pumps, have efficiencies rated according to their coefficient of performance or COP. It's a scientific way of determining how much energy the system produces versus how much it uses. Most geothermal heat pump systems have COP's of 2.5 - 3.5. That means for every one unit of energy used to power the system; two and one-half to three and one-half units are supplied as heat. Where a fossil fuel furnace may be 50-90 percent efficient, a geothermal heat pump is about 300 percent efficient. Some geothermal heat pump manufacturers and electric utilities use computers to accurately determine the operating efficiency of a system for your home.
FAQ: What is the Btu size of the furnace that's being proposed?
Furnaces are designed to provide specific amounts of heat energy per hour. The term 'Btuh’ refers to how much heat can be produced by the unit in an hour. Before you can know what size furnace you'll need, you must have a heat loss/heat gain calculation done on your home. From that, an accurate determination can be made on the size of the heating system you'll need. Most fossil fuel furnaces are substantially oversized for home heating requirements, resulting in increased operating costs.
Questions you should ask about a new heating system
Regardless of the type of heating system you may be considering for your home or business, there are specific questions you should ask the dealer installer. These questions deal with finding out the actual efficiency of the system, any operating limitations it may have, and the bottom line of operating costs. The answers here are meant as a guide for what you should try to find out with your questions.
FAQ: Which system is best, open - or closed loop?
The net results in operating cost and efficiency are virtually the same. Which system to choose depends mainly on whether you have an adequate groundwater supply and means of disposal. If you do, an open loop can be used very effectively. If not, either a horizontal or vertical closed-loop system is your best choice. Over a period of years, a closed-loop system will require less maintenance because it's sealed and pressurized, eliminating the possible buildup of minerals or iron deposits.
FAQ: Can I get a tax credit for installing this system?
It depends on where you live. Some states and provinces do have tax credits for installing geothermal systems. Check with your electric utility, Department of
Commerce or Ministry of Revenue for further details.
Commerce or Ministry of Revenue for further details.
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