Geothermal heating & cooling - pros and cons?? (dehumidifier, furnace, water heater)
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Husband and I are deciding between 2 new housing communities. One is priced higher because 1. the land lots are a little bigger (+ 1/2 acre) and 2. they all come with geothermal heating/cooling. (important to note that per my user name, we live in a cold climate, but summers are pretty hot too!)
the price difference is ~$30K more on the community with geothermal, but the property taxes are also lower in this town (about $1900 less per year).
We like both neighborhoods but are really STUCK on which community to choose.
Does anyone have insight into geothermal pros and cons?
Several years ago I was in an admin position during a ~$6m building renovation in central Wyoming. The project lead was interested/motivated by LEED Certified (very green) building practices and part of that for our building was installing a geothermal system (with aux heating, advanced air handling, etc...) The up front costs were significantly higher than a traditional HVAC system, but the office manager said that despite the building gaining ~3k more sq/ft (roughly a 1/3rd increase), the utilities dropped by about half. Since this is 100% electric, and we had more electrical loads (more lights, larger computer department/more computers), it's hard to know Exactly what the difference was (plus, new building, no prior records, and the overhaul was not minor).
Winter temps/comfort were absolutely fine, it was hard to tell much difference from any other forced-air system. I left the job (and town) in May of the following year before summer really rolled around but when I checked in that next fall, the business manager said it was completely unnoticeable for comfort (meaning that it worked just as well as traditional HVAC).
Now, this being in Wyoming, and WY being pretty dry because it's mostly high plains/desert, there's no need for dehumidifying the air. If you live somewhere with humidity issues, there's more to the equation. It may be a simple dehumidifier (which might be nice, independent control over temp and humidity... I can deal with warmer temps if the humidity is low and it "feels" warmer in the winter with a higher humidity), you'd have to ask.
There's also a "ground source heat pump" that can Sometimes be considered geothermal (it's an open loop, meaning well water comes into the unit, and either cool or warm is extracted, the the waste water is dumped). I'm not much of a fan of these waste-water systems myself, but they're common down here in Georgia.
In any case, the systems are well established and proven. Mostly it's just a higher up-front cost that keeps them from being even more common/popular.
Thanks for your insights, Brian. Definitely a MUCH higher up front costs. The advantage of choosing geothermal for us would be ~$1500-$2000 a yr saving in heating costs, and the lower property taxes, add another $1900 a yr. BUT, higher electric bills. Still though, we're probably looking $3K a year in savings, perhaps up to $3500.
We are looking into geothermal in Oklahoma. There does not seem to be a significant price difference but the lots are all small. My issue with a/c is the compressor noise and this may be my chance to get rid of it.
Does anyone have any input or personal experience on single family level 2500-3000sqf?
Thank you!
We are looking into geothermal in Oklahoma. There does not seem to be a significant price difference but the lots are all small. My issue with a/c is the compressor noise and this may be my chance to get rid of it.
Does anyone have any input or personal experience on single family level 2500-3000sqf?
Thank you!
Interesting - our CAC compressor unit is not loud at all. I only hear it when I am outside and close to it, I hear nothing inside w/windows shut.
If I could I'd go geothermal on principle.
That's an aspect I havent gotten into yet ,but I am into solar and wind,
solar water heater and passive thermal heating.
I need to do some research , thanks.
If I could I'd go geothermal on principle.
That's an aspect I havent gotten into yet ,but I am into solar and wind,
solar water heater and passive thermal heating.
I need to do some research , thanks.
solar + georthermal?? the utility companies heads would explode from anger
so it costs more, but will save you in taxes and utilities ...I'd just pick the house and location you like better
I am assuming the other house is using a 95%+ efficient boiler or furnace?
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