What is geothermal?
  Geothermal, also known as ground source heat pump (GSHP) is a system that uses the earth's constant temperature for cooling, heating and hot water.  The earth acts as a large heat sink, storing energy.
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How does geothermal work?
  During the winter months heat energy is pulled from the ground and amplified through a compressor and fan system located in the home, resulting in a warm comfortable environment.
  During the summer, heat energy is pulled from the home and deposited in the earth.  Part of this heat energy can be diverted to the hot water heater for basically free hot water.
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How are geothermal units rated?
  Similar to cars, there are various makes, models and options for geothermal units.  Each unit will be rated with a COP rating and EER rating so you can compare one unit to another for unit efficiency.
  The heating efficiency of ground-source heat pumps is rated by their coefficient of performance (COP), which is the ratio of heat provided in Btu per Btu of energy input.  Their cooling efficiency is indicated by the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER), which is the ratio of the heat removed (in Btu per hour) to the electricity required (in watts) to run the unit.
  Basically, the higher the number, the higher the efficiency.
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What options are available?
  The major one to consider is the hot water option.  There are various names for this option, including desuperheater.  During the summer months, heat pulled from the system by a plate, or coiled, heat exchanger and a small circulating pump.  This is basically free hot water.
  Some units have year round hot water, but we have seen some problems with the option.  Several companies are working on new designs for this option.
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How do conventional air to air heat pumps compare to geothermal?
  Geothermal is not affected by outside seasonal temperature changes.  Geothermal will give you free hot water all summer and this is not show in the EER rating.
  Air to air units use a noisy outdoor condensing unit which requires high maintenance and has a short life cycle. 
  Geothermal uses a below ground vertical loop field which requires no maintenance and should last over 100 years.
  Air temperature from a geothermal unit is much warmer than a conventional heat pump, with a temperature ranging from 95° to 105°F.
  The life cycle of a geothermal unit is twice that of a conventional system.
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Is geothermal cost effective?
  It is cost effective.  The operating and maintenance costs are less than any system on the market and with the longest life cycle.
  The initial cost of the system is typically higher than gas or air to air heat pumps, but is much more efficient, thereby saving you money every month.
  On a new construction home, the added cost of geothermal is reflected in a higher monthly mortgage payment which is offset by a higher amount of energy cost savings, resulting in a net positive cash flow to the owner.
  On a retrofit, the investment of geothermal will result in lower energy bills.  Typical annual energy savings may range from 40 to 60%, giving a very good return on investment.
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Are there incentive programs for geothermal?
  Yes, in many cases tax allowance, rebates and grants may be available from the Federal, state, local government or electric company.  Contact your local utility company or Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE).
  Some programs require that you apply before you install the system and some require the system to be installed before making application.
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How much room do I need for the in-ground loop field?
  The wells are typically placed 15' apart.  A 4-ton system can be placed in a 15' square with one well on each corner. 
  State well regulations and setbacks must be complied with.
  The area should be relatively flat and accessible by a drill rig.
  Underground utilities, large trees, sidewalks, and landscaping are a few of the features that must be considered when locating the geothermal wells.
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How do I find and choose a geothermal heating contractor?
  Most utility companies maintain a list of qualified installers. 
  The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association has an online listing of qualified installers for each state.  Equipment manufacturers will also have a list of their installers.
  It is very important that the heating contractor is able to size the building load using a "Manual J" process.  To service your unit the heating contractor should have a flush cart to purge the system of air and have heat fusion tooling and training to properly install the in-house piping.  Ask for references and/or a list of projects completed.
  In most cases we can refer you to highly qualified heating contractors in your area.
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How do I start the process of installing geothermal?
  1.  Call us and speak with one of our representatives to assess your needs and to answer any questions you may have.
  2.  We will recommend one or more heating contractors in your area.
  3.  The heating contractor will do a site visit and/or review floor plans.
  4.  Heating contractor will calculate equipment size needed and will contact us with the number of units and the size (tons) for each.  One ton equals 12,000 Btu's.
  5.  We will do a site visit - site plans showing property lines and septic fields are very helpful.  Before the site visit we will call Miss Utility to locate and mark underground utilities.
  6.  We will show you possible locations for the loop field.
  7.  Along with the heating contractor, we will write a proposal contract for the geothermal system.
  8.  Upon your approval and receipt of a deposit, we will order equipment, supplies and start the permit process.
  9.  Upon receiving permit approval, the loop filed drilling will be scheduled.  Any required site work (tree removal, etc.) should be completed prior to drilling date.
 10.  During the drilling process one or more in-ground pits will be dug to facilitate the drilling process.  The pits will be filled with water and the drill cuttings from the well will drop in the pit and be buried in place.
 11.  After the wells are completed, the horizontal trenching and piping are installed between the geothermal wells and the house.  The supply and return lines are typically 3 to 4 feet below grade.
 12.  As-built drawings will be made showing the location of each well by taking two measurements from the well to a fixed object on the site, such as the corner of the house, edge of a sidewalk, etc.
 13. After pressure testing the loop field, the trenches will be back-filled and returned to rough grade.  The loop field area will need to be landscaped.  The general contractor or homeowner will normally arrange for this service.  Depending on the type of soil, the loop filed should be allowed to settle in before final landscaping.
 14.  The heating contractor will connect to the supply and return lines at the wall penetration and run the lines to the flow center (circulating pumps mounted in a metal box) and from the flow center to the geothermal unit.
 15. The heating contractor will fill the system with water, purge the system of air with a flush cart and service the system with some type of antifreeze.
 16. After installing a matching thermostat, connecting ductwork to the unit, and piping to hot water heater, etc., the system is ready for service.
 17.  To compare your savings, look at last year's electric bill for the same month and look at kilowatt hours used then and now.
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Are geothermal units safe?
  Yes.  They have no open flames, or flammable fuels with potentially dangerous gases.
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Can geothermal be used in commercial and industrial applications?
  Yes.  In almost any application of heating, cooling and hot water, the system can be installed.
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Do the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and DOE (Department of Energy) recommend geothermal?
 Yes.  Both organizations promote the use and installation of geothermal.
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Will my existing ductwork function with a new geothermal system?
  Yes.  In most cases only minor modifications are needed to install the new geothermal unit.
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Does geothermal benefit our environment?
  Yes, the current systems installed are eliminating more than 3 million tons of carbon dioxide and that is equivalent to taking 650,000 cars off the road.  The units move heat energy that already exists, rather than burning fossil fuels to create it.
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Will the underground loop field adversely effect my lawn and trees?
  No.  Most of the piping is located in vertical wells 200' deep and the supply and return lines are buried at 3' to 4' depths.
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Can I add geothermal to my existing fossil fuel system?
  Yes.  Geothermal can be used as a dual system with fossil fuel, solar or supported by wind power.
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Are vertical loop fields more efficient than horizontal loop fields?
  Yes.  The major factor is the constant ground temperature below a 20' depth.  Because there is only 1° change per hundred foot of depth below 20', the loop field is not affected by annual rain fall, or high and low temperatures and soil moisture.  Also, circulating pumps for vertical systems are generally smaller and use less energy.
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How long will the system last?
  Air-source furnace and central air conditioners may need to be replaced every ten years, while geothermal units typically last twenty years and the in-ground loop field over 100 years.
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What type of pipe is used in the loop field?
  High density, polyethylene, PE 3408 that is specially made for its heat transfer qualities.
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Can I install the loop field myself?
  It is not recommended for a do-it-yourself project.  To insure proper flow through the system and equal flow for each well, design and piping configuration must be applied including pump sizing, pressure drops, Reynolds numbers for heat transfer and soil conditions for heat transfer.
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How are the pipes joined together in the loop field?
  The pipes are joined by heat fusion tools.  The fittings and pipe are heated to over 500° and forced together, welding the two pieces together.
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