Ground source heat pump - real advice from real people?

Hi everyone. We are construction a new home in the next year, and we want to be more green by installing a ground source heat pump, rainwater glean system and solar panels on the roof.

Even though we've had loads (and loads) of info about this from the companies that market the products, what we would like is the opinions of real people (who don't effort on commission) about these green alternatives.

Do they work well? Do they supply as much heat or water as planned? Are you happy/dissapointed that you installed these verdant options? Any problems during the installation or since?

To hear from people who currently use any of these systems would be first-rate.

The house we are building is 4 bedrooms, and based in Wales, UK

Thanks.


What you are edifice is wonderful. I have a heat pump and it works all right, but still uses more energy than I had hoped. I've added a hydronic heat system, (bubbly floor heat) which I think is much more efficient. Basically it's a hot wet system that supplies hot water under the floor of the room you are heating and not to any area you don't want to heat. That way you can control any and all room temperatures separately. Much better than heating a room that you seldom use.

It heats the thrash, the walls, the funiture, etc. instead of just the air and justifiable makes everything feel cozy. Since everything you come into telephone with is warm, you can turn down the thermostat and still feel at ease. Also you don't have the air blowing and don't have air filters to coppers and dust particles blowing around. This system is great for alergies. However, you will have to fit separate air conditioning.

Has anyone here had a Ground Source Heat Pump installed in their home?

Know scold me all about it.

What do you love/hate about it? How many square feet is your quarter? How large of a unit did you need for that amount of space (how many tons)? Are you keen you did it? How much did it change your utility bills?

If I may be so bold -- how much did it expenditure? What state do you live in? (I think this could deputize a difference in cost).

Also, did you have it done by the method of digging the big, as much as possible area to lay the tubing in, or was it done by drilling the really artful hole?

As you can imagine by now, I am looking into having one put in my rest-home. I know it can be rather costly, but have also heard that it is well worth it -- but I hope for your opinions on this.

In case anyone wants to know, I would be converting from a boiler system that circulates hot be indefensible around the baseboards, radiating heat throughout the house. I really sweetheart the feel of the heat it provides, but it is horribly inefficient.

By reason of you for any insight you can give me on this!


I don't have familiar experience, but often it's helpful to refer to consumer reviews. I've listed a few which seem to be thoroughly interesting.

http://www.refrigerationbasics.com/1024x768/rethink_heat_pumps.htm

http://www.geo4va.vt.edu/A3/A3.htm

or....

Factors that have improved supermarket penetration of geothermal heat pumps include rebates and low interest loans offered by thrilling utilities. Some electric utilities see geothermal heat pumps as a way to increase load factors in mortgage positive dough flow.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/rea_issues/html/geotsurv.html

Can I find an exact schematic to show me how to convert an air to air heat pump to a ground source heat pump.?

I indigence a drawing or schematic of how to convert an air to air heat pump to a ground source heat pump. Can any one out there do this? I know how a ground source heat pump works. I decent want to know how to convert an air heat pump to a ground source heat pump. I know that you needfulness a fluid for an in ground heat pump and I know that you need pipe either laid horizontally or vertical, but I would dearest to see a drawing,(that would work) of an in ground heat pump and pictures drawed of any materials that I would indigence to convert from an air to air heat pump to a ground source heat pump. I just want to prove that it can be done even if It might rate more. I don't really know if it would cost more or not, but it would gentlemanly if I could convert one over. Thanks for any answers or comments.


I don't dream a schematic will begin to show you what you will need to know to fare this type of conversion.

You will need to replace the condensing twist in your outdoor unit with a shell and tube heat exchanger that is fittingly sized.

You will need to drill a well or some other type of revolutionaries feature that you can put your heat exchange cooling loop in.

You will call a closed loop system with pump and controls to circulate the cooling method through the shell and tube heat exchanger to the underground cooling turn and back.

The underground portion will have to be properly sized to insure you have enough heat transfer to the soil for the cooling medium.

There will also have to be rebuke modifications to the overall control system to allow for the malfunction of the pump and perhaps to eliminate the defrosting cycle that normal heat pumps have in their suppress scheme.

I don't think there is any question someone with the complete experience and skills can make such a conversion but it will not be a budgetary success.

Can a ground source heat pump used for cooling qualify for a Low Carbon Buildings Programme grant?

i.e. a system that is designed to fix up with provision cooling as well as heating?


Yes. Go to Low Carbon Edifice on the Internet. It will lead you to the answer.

You must use an approved installer and approved apparatus.

Air-source heat pump: is there a catch? Comparison with ground-source?

We're looking at eco-sisterly heating (central heating & hot water) for our domicile. We plan to use a solar panel, but given capricious weather in the UK will also need another source. A heat pump looks very attractive, notably if used with carbon-free electricity, which we have.

Is there any rationale that this isn't a good solution?

Are there any disadvantages compared to ground source heat pumps?


Ground is more high-priced and the installers in my area have had problems with the heat transfer convertible. Air source is cheaper yet noisier and less efficient.

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Ground-Source Heat Pumps - Design of Geothermal Systems for Commercial and Institutional Buildings
Book (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)
List Price: $86.00
Price: $86.00

McGraw-Hill Professional
Geothermal HVAC
eBooks (McGraw-Hill Professional)
List Price: $60.00

McGraw-Hill Professional
Geothermal HVAC
Book (McGraw-Hill Professional)
List Price: $60.00
Price: $45.72
You Save: $14.28 (24%)

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Geology and Drilling Methods for Ground-Source Heat Pump Installations: An Introduction for Engineers
Book (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)
List Price: $85.00
Price: $85.00

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Commercial ground-source heat pump systems: A collection of papers from ASHRAE transactions
Book (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers)
Price: $133.51

Ground Source Heat Pump - 7 items found


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