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FAQ - GEOTHERMAL
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Q: What is geothermal heating?
A: Geothermal heat is created by removing solar heat stored in the Earth’s
crust, 15 to 500’ deep, at ±50°, amplifying it with a ground source heat
pump and sending it into your house.
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Q: How can a temperature of +/- 50 degrees in the ground heat my house to 70 degrees?
A: 1. Below the depth of 15’ in the earth there is a vast resource of
±50° heat waiting to be tapped. This heat is transported from
the ground to the ground source heat pump in the building, using
loop water or well water.
2. The heat is transferred into the refrigerant in the heat pump.
This heat is amplified by compression into a hot refrigerant gas.
3. The ground source heat pump transfers this heat out of the
refrigerant and into water or air, which heats the building.
While this concept is simple, the system components and equipment
must be properly sized and set up for each installation to maximize
savings. Alpha Water Systems can help you go the cutting edge of
technology with the most efficient and cost effective geothermal heating
system available.
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Q: Can a geothermal heating system do all of my heating in a building?
A: Absolutely!
If your needs are properly evaluated the system can easily be tailored to
meet all of your needs.
The time spent and the thoroughness involved with the assessment
portion of your geothermal project will ultimately determine your level of
success: A system that delivers all you want but does not generate the
projected savings – is a failure!
A system that does not perform to projected standards, but
saves you some money – is a failure!
A system that gives you all that you are promised, saves you
money, keeps the fuel trucks away, and reduces your carbon
footprint and your impact on the Earth – is a success.
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Q: Can a geothermal heating system heat my domestic hot water?
A: Yes! But…..
This answer may vary depending on equipment choice and your definition
of “hot water”.
The equipment choice most heavily marketed is the “desuperheater”.
This device uses some of the super heat from the compressed refriger-
ant to heat domestic hot water only when the unit is running. Desuper-
heaters help the heat pump’s efficiency during the cooling cycle, but
compete with the home for heat during peak heating season. Due to the
intermittent nature of desuperheaters, the use of a hot water storage
tank and additional domestic hot water heating unit must be included in
the system design.
Another way of generating hot water that gives you domestic hot water
at any time, is to go to a combination unit. This type of ground source
heat pump will devote the entire tonnage to generate hot water when
needed, and will switch back to heat the building once the domestic hot
water storage tank has returned to temperature. A final domestic point
of use hot water heater may be desired, depending on your goals.
The assessment and design of this portion of a geothermal heating
system is of utmost importance. Choices made regarding domestic hot
water, and high expectations created during the sale can make the
difference between partial success and complete success. Carefully
explore all options before deciding on your best design. Alpha Water
Systems can help!
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Q: Is a geothermal heating system a good investment?
A: Yes. Very good!
A geothermal heating system is one of the best investments you will ever
find! Let me list the ways a geothermal system makes a good investment:
1. No more fuel trucks in your yard; you control your fuel source!
2. As of January, 2009 the Federal government is going to give you a
30% tax credit on the entire system cost!
3. Once you place your system in service you start to save on your fuel
cost on day one. Fuel oil would have to go to $1 a gallon and stay
there to compete.
4. This is green technology with “0” carbon emissions.
5. The ground source heat pump we use is built in the U. S. A.
6. Our circulation pump is the most efficient on the market.
7. Your home will likely sell at a premium and much faster if you do sell.
8. This system will help you stay in your home longer when you retire.
9. No other investment can offer returns like this!
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Q: Why should I use Alpha Water Systems instead of someone else?
A: We offer a complete package. We will help you evaluate the entire
system from start to finish. The first consultation is free. There are
many components and different trades involved. And they must all work
together for the most efficient system with the shortest pay back. Our
team has all of the state licenses and I am IGSHPA (International
Ground Source Heat Pump Association) certified. I have converted my
own home and we love it.
We install only the very highest quality equipment and have done
extensive research on all of the components. This will insure that you will
own the most efficient system available. This equates to the lowest
operating costs for a long time with very little maintenance. Call us for a
free demonstration.
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Q: How do I take care of my geothermal heating system?
A: Once our geothermal heating system is installed and adjusted, these
systems are very low maintenance. A periodic filter change and yearly
operations check-that’s it! There is no flame to go out, no mess of wood
or coal, no gas to leak or explode, no tanks of fuel to maintain or to leak
or spill. Our mechanical crew can handle any emergency.
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Q: How much will a geothermal system cost?
A: Geothermal heating systems are inexpensive over the long haul. Once
installed, the fuel is free. You pay only for the power to run the
unit and the circulation pump.
The cost of your system will be driven by your needs and the size and
efficiency of the building you wish to heat.
The range is likely to start at $20,000 and goes up as the home size
increases. We can help you assess your needs and the cost for your
your system.
Some contractors promote systems with open standing column wells.
Under the right circumstances these systems work, but they are more
expensive to run, more prone to problems, require more maintenance,
and have an increased rate of failure.
Saving initial cost on a geothermal heating system and having it fail is
not a good option.
We will explain all of the options and help you make the best choice. We
want you to be happy with and proud of your geothermal heating
system.
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Q: Can I get air conditioning for my building using geothermal equipment?
A: Yes!
You can, and we can do it for less cost than other systems. Most other
air conditioning systems depend on ambient air outside, sometimes at 90°
or 100°, to act as a heat sink-not very good. A geothermal system in
cooling mode has the Earth at 50° to 60° for a heat sink, and will save you
money over any other system. No more noisy window units to listen to. No
more lifting them into the window in June, then back to storage in September.
You will just enjoy the nice quiet comfort.
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Q: Why don’t more people have geothermal heating systems?
A: 1. Lack of knowledge-
Even in our technology savvy country, relatively few people under-
stand in detail how the earth can heat a building in the most
wonderfully green and cost saving way.
2. Most people have not had the benefit of knowing someone that
can inform them correctly of the pros and cons of these systems.
While most of the theory has been around for a long time, some
of the recent electric motor development and new pump designs are
on the cutting edge of technology and make these systems use
less power to run than ever before. You must have all of these
advancements in your system.
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Q: Why is contractor choice so important?
A: 1. Misguided best intentions-
Many contractors that know enough to make a system work overlook
some of the best features, and lack the theory and knowledge needed to
construct a system with the highest efficiency and shortest payback.
They will often offer a system that costs less, but unbeknownst to the
customer, doesn’t contain features that could give you the highest
efficiency and lowest operating cost. We can make your system
one that is on the leading edge of available technology, and costs less
to operate.
2. Knowledge is the key-
Get with the right team that is knowledgeable regarding all phases of
design and construction with geothermal systems, and with your type
of building. The folks at Alpha Water Systems will help you assess
your building needs. Make sure you get all your questions answered
before you spend your money. Geothermal heating systems must be
designed to be efficient and cost effective.
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Q: Are there any incentives to help me with the cost of my geothermal
heating system?
A: Yes!
As mentioned in question 5, the Federal government is giving a 30%
tax credit for the entire cost of the job. No limit!*
The caution is that you must use the right equipment. Alpha Water
Systems will install only the most efficient equipment, Energy Star
rated. So your system will qualify for all tax credits available. Call us
today to explore your best options.
Alpha Water Systems, Phil & Claudia Lowe, 207-838-3445
* "The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 covers systems in full that are in service between Jan. 1, 2009 - Dec. 31, 2016. If the federal tax credit exceeds tax liability, the excess amount can be carried forward to the succeeding taxable year."
www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/printincentive.cfm?incentive_code=vs37f
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