We will be building a house in the next couple of years. We are doing most of the work ourselves, trying to pay for most of it as we go so as not to have a big loan. We are considering the geothermal heat, I'm just wondering if anyone has this, and is it worth it? How much did it cost, and how much do you think you're saving on your heating bill? I think it would pay for itself in $$ saved, but it is also a lot of money to pay out to get it set up. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

-- Tracey in Alabama (trjlanier@cs.com), November 24, 2001

Answers

i don't have it, but there is a neighborhood nearby that uses it exclusively.

i have a local newspaper article about it, it is costing from 1 to 2 dollars a day to heat and cool and make hot water for each house.

a company here in okc makes the geothermal units, i'm not sure but i think they may possibly be the only manufacturer.

this entire neighborhood only uses geothermal. i intend to find out more about it.

gene

-- gene ward (gward34847@aol.com), November 25, 2001.

Are you far enough south to use and air type unit. Here in the desert the winter temps can get down into the 20's and air units (here called heat pumps) work just fine. The added advantage is they provide summer central air conditioning.

-- Joe (CactusJoe001@AOL.com), November 25, 2001.

Tracey, Check out www.waterfurnace.com That is the type of geothermal furnace we have had in our home for the past 4 years and we are very satisfied with it. A dollar a day is stretching it but its not too far off!

-- Emily in central Ky. (BellyAcresFarm@kyk.net), November 25, 2001.

Tracey~

Visit www.dougrye.com. He is a former FHA architect who now specializes in helping people build energy efficient homes. He has a lot of info on geothermal and how to properly insulate a home for the lowest energy bills. I have seen him in person and he is very knowledgeable. Also, he has a radio program and regularly comments about calls he has received during the week and answered personally. His number is listed on his website. Good Luck.

-- Ivy in NW AR (balch84@cox-internet.com), November 25, 2001.

Can anyone say how much it costs to put in such a system?? I heard they were expensive, but so was my last utility bill!!! And yes, we ARE well insulated!!

-- terri (hooperterri@prodigy.net), November 25, 2001.

Last month, I went to a house that has geothermal (Water Furnace) -- it was a tour of alternative energy homes. The owner reported that a conventional system (hot water heater, furnace, a/c, and ductwork) would have cost around $8000, and the system they installed cost around $16,000. I'm not sure if all the additional money went into the tubing and it's installation in the ground, or if the Water Furnace itself was a bit more expensive. Also, this was a large house, around 2500 sq. feet I believe. Perhaps it would be less expensive for a smaller house, as in less tubing and ductwork needed and a smaller furnace. And of course, if you already have ductwork in place, that would not be an expense. I think you can also get it to work with hot water heating devices (such as baseboard heaters), but you wouldn't be able to use it for cooling in the hot months.

-- Joy F [in So. Wisconsin] (CatFlunky@excite.com), November 25, 2001.

Terri ~

We showed our house plans to the heating guy and asked for a rough guess on the price of geothermal. He said it would probably be about $12,000 BUT it depends on so many different variables, such as: the square footage of your house, the number and size of windows, the height of your ceilings, type and amount of insulation, and some other stuff I can't remember. He plugs all of that into some type of formula and comes up with a price.

Our floor plan was around 1900 square feet but I'm changing it (for the 9th time) so it's going to be smaller and hopefully bring the price of the geothermal down a little as well as the overall cost of the house. We also have very few windows and 8-foot ceilings. Our electric bill now is around $100 a month, and up to $200 in summer months. Last year we used 400 gallons of gas per winter @ $1.19/gallon but last year it was up to $2.09 at one point. Assuming that those prices will only go up, it is seeming like a good idea, it's just the initial cost that makes it hard to swallow.

-- Tracey in Alabama (trjlanier@cs.com), November 25, 2001.