E.Shell
Ultimate Member
Things have changed for the better with geothermal, but not much. The technology is more refined and there is more competition between suppliers/installers.
A geothermal system still costs more than double a conventional system, plus wells ($3k each x 2 wells per 3 tons) and payback/break-even point is still close to the end-of-life for many parts.
You still have to have space for the wells, as well as space to isolate the geothermal exchange wells from the potable water well, septic areas and any lot line setbacks.
We ARE doing more and more of these systems on upscale homes though, and they still save a LOT of money in monthly operating costs as energy costs have spiked lately.
Were I building new or replacing an entire system now, I'd still want to go with a high-efficiency heat pump system with a gas-fired furnace for backup heat. My age has some bearing on this, since I doubt I'd live long enough to see any return. If energy costs keep going up, this dynamic WILL change and when payback comes sooner, it will make more sense to go geothermal.
A geothermal system still costs more than double a conventional system, plus wells ($3k each x 2 wells per 3 tons) and payback/break-even point is still close to the end-of-life for many parts.
You still have to have space for the wells, as well as space to isolate the geothermal exchange wells from the potable water well, septic areas and any lot line setbacks.
We ARE doing more and more of these systems on upscale homes though, and they still save a LOT of money in monthly operating costs as energy costs have spiked lately.
Were I building new or replacing an entire system now, I'd still want to go with a high-efficiency heat pump system with a gas-fired furnace for backup heat. My age has some bearing on this, since I doubt I'd live long enough to see any return. If energy costs keep going up, this dynamic WILL change and when payback comes sooner, it will make more sense to go geothermal.
