Geothermal systems are  designed to make use of the earth’s constant temperature as an exchange medium instead of making use of the outside air temperature. This is why geothermal heat pumps maintain 300% to 600% efficiencies on very cold nights unlike the air-source heating systems that do not exceed 175% to 250% efficiency.

The buried pipe, or “ground loop” portion of a geothermal system, is the biggest technical advancement in heat pump technology to date. The idea to bury pipe in the ground that gathers heat energy began in the 1940s.  But only in recent years, with new heat pump designs and improved piping materials have  companies been able to improve geothermal systems, making them the most efficient heating and cooling modes available.

The warmed liquid from the loop in the ground is brought to the house by a flow center or pump mounted near the furnace on the inside of the house.  The flow center  transfers the warmed fluid  from the piping underground to  the heat exchanger in the geothermal furnace’s refrigeration system to warm the air.    From there the system disperses the heat throughout the home like a conventional system.  

One of the most  immediate benefits you will feel in a geothermally heated home  is  the  comfortable, round the clock, even heat as compared to  a blast of hot air and a cooling off period like you get with a traditional gas forced air furnace.

Hopefully this explanation has clarified a few basic things about a geothermal system.  As a geothermal homeowner myself for over 18 years I’m a true believer in the benefits of geothermal energy.

In 20 years of installing geothermal loop fields we have heard these complaints and interestingly, have rarely found the geothermal system itself to be at fault. Geothermal Heating is a complex system with several components. Expecting an HVAC contractor that has only installed gas furnaces and boilers to have expertise in geothermal heating and cooling is asking for trouble.

HVAC contractors must consider HVAC contractors must consider the exact heating and cooling load of your home, the type of loop system that will be installed, the design layout of that loop system, and the interior air flow requirements to get the heating and cooling where it’s needed. Choosing an HVAC installer with experience in the geothermal field and consistently happy customers is extremely important.

Be wary if a contractor says he can do the same job for much less. Cutting corners causes decreased energy savings. Variables to check include system and ductwork size for your home, loop length per ton of furnace , and proper installation and insulation of piping and circulating pumps. Attention to detail at the front end of a job will save money on your heating bills long term.

We at Yoder Drilling and Geothermal, Inc value continuing education to stay on the cutting edge of the industry. We are certified vertical loop installers, IGSHPA (International Ground Source Heat Pump Association) ,members, GEO (Geothermal Exchange) members, NGWA (National Groundwater Association) & Ohio Water Well Association members as well as owning a master driller certification with the National Groundwater Association.

Protect your Geothermal system from getting a bad Rap! Choose a reputable HVAC installer. If you live in the Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia area contact us to help make your choice. contact@yodergeothermal.com.

Should I really pay extra for a Geothermal Heat Pump System?  Is it worth that much more than an energy efficient gas furnace and air conditioner?
 
Emphatically yes!  A properly installed and sized geothermal system will heat for 1/4 the cost of propane and 1/2 the cost of natural gas.  It will also cool your home for 1/2 the cost of a new hi-efficiency 15 SEER air conditioner.   And don’t forget that a geo system also can heat your domestic hot water for a fraction of the cost of a gas system.

Dependability is also a plus.  A geothermal system should last about 25 years and the exterior piping is projected to last 50-100 years  and includes 50 year warranty.   These factors add up to very low maintenance costs. 

One caution as noted above a properly sized and installed system is VERY important.  Next week we will discuss  why that is and some examples we’ve dealt with when systems have been undersized by contractors trying to cut corners to make a sale or unfamiliar with geothermal systems. 

 Have a great week.  Stay warm  geothermally !!

     It would seem, at first glance, that abundant natural gas and geothermal heat pumps work in conflict with each other. I would propose that nothing is further from the truth. With the discovery of the incredible volume of natural gas in the Marcellus and Utica plays in PA, WV, and OH ones first impression is  geothermal heating will be pushed to the sidelines. Instead it has been our experience, here at Yoder Drilling and Geothermal, that this is not the case, in fact we are seeing an increase in sales as a direct result.

As a loop installer for many HVAC contractors in eastern OH, western PA and northern WV, we are in the heart of the  “ boom”.  Many land owners are benefiting with significant bonus lease payments from the natural gas industry and find themselves with a new found ability to upgrade their home.  Upgrading the heating and cooling system is a great option that can dramatically increase the equity of the home. They may even be able to build that new home they have been dreaming of. Ground source geothermal heat pumps are a perfect fit.

Geothermal is the most efficient heating and cooling system available and with a 30% federal tax credit on the entire installation cost –this system benefits the homeowner in multiple ways. By helping homeowners become aware of the tax credits and efficiency of geothermal we are benefitting from the good fortune of the local community.

 On a larger scale, long term availability of a low priced natural gas will likely keep electric rates in check and so will keep geothermal heat pumps the most economical option for homeowners for years to come.

                        Tim Yoder, President
                     Yoder Drilling & Geothermal, Inc
                     (330) 852-4342

             www.yodergeothermal.com

And to that end, we are proud to have Tim Yoder serving as a member of a workgroup comprised of the Ohio EPA, Ohio Dept of Health and the Ohio Dept of Natural Resources. 

This group just completed a regulatory recommendation draft for the geothermal industry.  After many conference calls and meetings, a technical document and a companion document were pulled together. 

The technical document lays out  geothermal installation best practices while the companion document addresses the need for state regulation of geothermal systems.  Currently there are no guideline for locating, permitting or registering a geothermal system in Ohio.  

Yoders is committed to abiding by geothermal installation best practice guidelines to help make geothermal heating and cooling the most desirable, safe, green option for heating and cooling your home.

 However, if that is not the case, and you live outside our service area,  here are a few recommendations thanks to our friends at www.geothermalgenius.org .

 Questions to ask an HVAC geothermal contractor:

• Can you show me a few of your geothermal customers before and after utility bills? (They should be able to prove long term savings)
• How many geothermal systems have you installed in the past 10 years?
• Can you provide customer testimonials from customers who’ve had one of your geothermal systems for over 5 few years?
• Do you have some before and after images I can see of a yard which had a system installed?
• Do you do a heat/loss study on my home designing a  system to maintain an indoor temp of 72 degrees when outdoor temp is between 0-10 degrees (winter heating) and 75 degrees when the exterior temp is up to 95 degrees (summer cooling).

 In addition, we at Yoders recommend gathering the following information  related to the exterior loop system

• Where in my yard will the loop system be placed?
• What loop installer will do the work?
• Has the loop installer installed more than 100 systems and been in the geothermal business more than 5 years –ask for references

Geothermal takes more time, effort, training, & experience to install correctly… its not for every HVAC company to do.   If the contractor you’re currently dealing with does not seem comfortable with the geothermal process, they might not be the right company for you.

 Before you get talked into a new high efficiency air conditioner or furnace speak with an experienced geothermal company, look at cost of operation numbers – this will help you collect the necessary information for  you to make the best heating/cooling decision for your family

There are several requirements that need to be met in order to collect the rebates. The first step is asking your HVAC dealer to enroll in the program. Marshall B Jennings of  CLEAResult  shared the details with Tim at Yoder Geothermal this week.   CLEAResult is helping to administer the rebate program for  AEP Ohio, IE Ohio Power and Columbia Southern Power.   After haveing a home  energy assessment,  homeowners can expect to receive: a $350.00 rebate for a ground source heat pump with an HSPF rating of 8.5 or higher and Seer of 14.5 higher, $150.00 for a variable speed air handler and a $150.00 bonus for system installation. Total the rebate equals $650 for a geothermal heating and cooling system. Nearly all geothermal systems qualify

If you’ve been thinking about pulling the plug on your old gas or oil system, now is a great time to start the process of installing a clean, green, economical geothermal heating and cooling system for your home. Contact your professional Geothermal installer for more information or click here

Questions asked by attendees included interest in laws and regulations for drilling and installing geothermal loop and systems, and of course comments on the huge impact the 30% tax cut (currently offered by the federal government) is making in encouraging geothermal system installation.

Discussion continued on how to protect residents property from normal drilling silt and water runoff during a project and the best way to educate homeowners about the process of geothermal loop installation. Yoder’s prides themselves on taking the extra step to communicate with and accommodate homeowners interested in installing geothermal systems using pictorial forms to demonstrate how a job site will look before during and after the project. There was also much interest expressed by attendees in geothermal residential sizing of systems including the newer hybrid systems. Nearly 700 people attended the conference. Read more at www.IGSHPA.OKSTATE.edu

Tim Yoder at IGSHPA Conference

IGSHPA Conference Panel

You will need an HVAC dealer to size and install your geothermal heat pump on the inside of your home. You will also need a quality geothermal loop installer to do the outside work and bring the piping in to your furnace.

Some important things to consider in choosing the right geothermal contractor:

•   The United States Dept of Energy states “because of the technical knowledge and equipment needed to properly install the piping of a geothermal heat pump system, installation is not a do it yourself project.

•  Don’t assume that all installers do work of equal quality.

•   Make sure your furnace installer has done a thorough heat/loss calculation on your home. This will take into consideration all factors –home location, number of windows, number of doors, depth of insulation, and other factors in determining the size furnace and loop field you will need.

•  Quality HVAC dealers run a detailed, computerized heat/loss program to determine size of loop and furnace that will most efficiently run in your home. If your HVAC dealer says “I can eyeball that” or “from my experience I believe your house needs a 4 ton” –Run away…far, far, away!Demand a quality loop contractor. Most loop contractors sub out to the homeowner or HVAC dealer and it can be your decision which loop contractor you would like to employ.

•  Check both the HVAC and Loop Contractor’s qualifications (IGSHPA – International Ground Source Heat Pump Association) and affiliations. Years in business, years in geo, number of installations, and customer testimonials are also very important.

•  Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most geothermal contractors are a wealth of information. Take a little time to do research online, jot down some notes and then spend time getting comfortable with your installer.Consider using Yoder Geothermal for your loop installation if you live in Ohio, WV, or western PA. They come highly recommended as professional and knowledgeable in the geothermal industry and have installed more than 5000 geothermal loop systems.

Hope these suggestions are helpful. You’ll be glad you did your “homework” as you enjoy a new, properly sized and installed, efficiently running, geothermal heating and cooling system.

Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Becky

1. Paying cash up front is always the best. This allows you the immediate comfort of a geothermal heating and cooling system. For most of us, cash is not an option and considering financing is the next step.

2. A home equity loan or adding to your existing home equity loan is the most popular way to pay for your geothermal system. Adding a green energy system to your home often adds value in addition to the monthly savings you enjoy.

3. When deciding if now is the time to purchase your geothermal system, take into account how long you plan to stay in your existing home. Also important is the age of your current furnace system. It may be time to switch out your gas/oil furnace in the near future anyway.

4. Consider an “Energy Efficient Mortgage” or EEM if buying or refinancing you home. According to the energystar.gov website, EEMs give borrowers the opportunity to finance cost-effective, energy-saving measures as part of a single mortgage and stretch debt-to-income qualifying ratios on loans thereby allowing borrowers to qualify for a larger loan amount and a better, more energy-efficient home. Learn more with EnergyStar

5. Furnace Manufacturers may offer financing for part or all of the project. Be sure to choose a reputable HVAC dealer and loop installer

6. The best financial reason to choose geothermal installation continues to be that 30% of your investment will be returned on your taxes!

Enjoying the comfort and savings of a geothermal system may be only a few creative financing decisions away. Good Luck!

Becky