Heating or geothermal system?

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Permalink Reply by James W. Harbin on February 22, 2012 at 1:29pm

Hello Alessandro, Geothermal is a great system if you want radiant heat. You can cool your home as well. The initial costs can be considerable. The last system installed in Delaware was 28,000 dollars. Heat Pumps are quite efficient for your area and cost a lot less expensive. The heat pump system also acts as a dehumidifier which is important for southern locations. These systems cost 6,000 to 10,000 depending on size. Wood heat with heat pump back-up is very efficient.  Thanx, Jim and Pam Katahdin Cedar Log Homes

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Permalink Reply by Alessandro Garassino on February 23, 2012 at 3:30am

thanks a lot for your opinion and unfoturnately I have already supposed the expensive cost of geothermal system. I will try a green alternative cheaper.

Alessandro

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Permalink Reply by Raymond Wengerd on February 22, 2012 at 3:39pm

I have been hearing nothing but positive feedback about radiant heat, ecspecialy (hydronic) radiant floors. Geothermal came out of the gates strong, but alternatives are prooving themselves more benificial in numerous areas, especialy cost recovery. Also, there have been some break throughs in thermal foam in recent years. Money spent on thermal is usually easy to recover. In exposed roof structures it has become very feasable to achieve R-values of up to an R-84 in ceilings. So combine a great envelope with radiant heat and you virtually eliminate any possibility of regrets.

 

I have a client that has a solar company which attaches their systems to the grids and any excess energy created gets pumped back in the grid. In 5 years the system typically pays it's self back. So if you combine that solar or wind possibility to my proceeding thermal and heating scenario, and 5 years down the road you, not only find yourself heating for free. You will be getting paid for the energy you pump into the grid. So my biased opinion is radiant heat and do not under estimate the advantages of a great thermal envelope.

And then the alternative energy, or the supply source for the radiant system becomes a personal discretion. But I certainly condone solar and wind.

 

Ray Wengerd

www.ohiologhomes.net

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Permalink Reply by Alessandro Garassino on February 23, 2012 at 3:35am

thanks a lot for your useful opinion and I have already supposed the expensive cost of geothermal system and so I will try a green alternative solution. You suggest to use a radiant heat system and do you have more or less an idea of the cost of this system?

Alessandrio

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Permalink Reply by Raymond Wengerd on February 23, 2012 at 11:00am

I would say a home of your scale could range from $7,000 to $12,000.

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Permalink Reply by Alessandro Garassino on February 23, 2012 at 11:09am

thanks very interesting information. I think that I will install this heating system.

Alessandro

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Permalink Reply by John Duke on February 23, 2012 at 12:01am

We installed geothermal in our cabin. The place was frigid in the winter and sweltering in the summer before we did. In addition to the geothermal, we put in double pane windows, re-chinked, used foam insulation in the basement, and added insulation anywhere else we could, so not all of the change is just from the geothermal.

It was expensive, but the results are worth it. The cost will probably vary according to where you live and the challenges of your property, but we paid about $35,000 for everything. We also got a 30% tax credit, which made it easier to swallow. We haven't moved in yet, but whenever we drop in to check on progress it has proven to be a very comfortable system, both the winter and summer. I'm hoping to recover my costs in less than ten years -- maybe sooner if the cost of heating oil continues to rise. I think one of the keys is finding someone with experience who you trust.

I talk about the system and its installation in my blog. Do a search for "geothermal" and you should find the entries. There are lots of pictures if you click on the photo tab at the top, beneath the blog title. http://condemnationplantation.blogspot.com/.

Good luck!

John

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Permalink Reply by Alessandro Garassino on February 23, 2012 at 3:38am

thanks a lot for your reply and your useufl opinion. Unfortunately I have already supposed the expensive cost of the geothermal system and so I will find a green alternative solution since probably my budget will be not enough to cover both building and geothermal system.

Alessandro

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