Geothermal Heat Pumps - Cost - Savings - Rebates - Pond Closed Loops

Geothermal Heat Pumps - Cost - Savings - Rebates - Pond Closed Loops

From: MARY

"Hi Carl, I am building a log home on our property (approximately 3000 sq.ft.)

I Was wondering if geothermal was the way to go. We are going to put a pond in at the same time as the new build and thought about the pond for the coils.

We also were checking to see if there are any rebates from the government for the energy saving geothermal heating system? I can't find anything online about this question.

Thanks a lot for your time,
Mary"

Hi Mary,

There are a lot of things to consider here. I assume you have read my info on geothermal heat pumps. If not, it’s located on my category list under GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS.

It has the most thorough, unbiased research I have seen from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

As you can see from the NAHB research that went into that article, GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS are very energy efficient, and although their initial cost is 50% to 100% more than an air to air heat pump, they often pay for themselves in 10 years.

For many people, a 10 year "payback is the criteria used for determining if an energy saving device is worth it. Other people may not care about payback periods; they are interested only in the altruistic value of the device.

Where you are building, and the energy efficiency of your house, will determine how much energy/money you will save; the more frigid the weather, the bigger the savings, the more energy efficient the house, the smaller the savings. Ironic, isn’t it?

By the way, a well built log home is one of the most energy efficient homes you can build!

Keep in mind; we are mainly talking about the “heating phase” of the GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP system, as the cooling phase will not provide energy efficiency savings as drastic.

GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS use the relatively constant temperature of the ground or water several feet below the earth's surface as source of heating and cooling.

As for your idea of using your pond for the coils, it would depend on what is allowed by your building inspection department in your locale.

Here is what the California Energy Commission has to say about Pond Closed Loops:

“This type of loop design may be the most economical when a home is near a body of water such as a shallow pond or lake. Fluid circulates underwater through polyethylene piping in a closed system, just as it does through ground loops.

The pipes may be coiled in a slinky shape to fit more of it into a given amount of space. Since it is a closed system, it results in no adverse impacts on the aquatic system.”

However, this idea, as well as all potential energy savings and technical questions, is something I, as a General Contractor would be expected to research by talking to the experts in the GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP industry.

These experts would be (but not limited to) GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP manufacturers, dealers recommended by the manufacturer, my building inspection department, & my local electricity supplier (power company) to determine money saved by each system I want to compare. And yes, they (the power company) will, or should, do this for free.

As for rebates, they are out there, but they vary from state to state, and yes, rebates for GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS are available in many states.

Here is a link to DSIRE. DSIRE is an excellent comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives ($) that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.

I hope I have helped.

Thanks for your interest in www.byoh.com.

Carl