Ground Source Heat Pump

Hello everyone. We are building a new home in the next year and we want to be greener by installing a geothermal heat pump system, harvesting rainwater and solar panels on the roof.

Although we had loads (and loads) of information about this from companies that sell products, we would like is the opinions of real people (who do not work on commission) about These environmentally friendly alternatives.

They work well? Do they provide as much heat or water as expected? Are you pleased / disappointed that you have installed these green options? A problem during the installation or since?

To hear people who currently use one of these systems would be great.

The house we build is 4 bedrooms, and based in Wales, United Kingdom

Thank you.

What you build is wonderful. I have a heat pump, and it works very well, but still uses more power than I had hoped. I added a heating hot water (radiant floor heat) which I think is much more effective. Basically, this is a hot water system that supplies hot water under the floor of the room you are heating and not to any part you do not want to heat. This way you can control any temperature individually. Much better than heating a room you rarely use.

He heats the floors, walls, furniture, etc. instead of just the air and just feel comfortable. Since everything you touch is hot, you can turn down the thermostat and still feel comfortable. So you do not blow air and did not change air filters and dust particles swirling around. This system is ideal for Allergies. However, you should install air conditioning.

As it happens, I work in a great college. When they introduced this new building (3 floors) they put in a spring floor, 29 pipes, 300ft deep, and a heat pump system. It works in winter as the "base" (about 13 degrees) of a heating system, but in summer, as a fresh source for air conditioning. Just a thought .....

Have you attempted to contact the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Wales - they have tried and tested most of the heating systems, and can offer you the verdict on a lot of green between them.

As you build in Wales, you may also be able to pop along and have a look at green building systems in action.

Good luck with your version.

I work for a society that deals with renewable energy sources (only in the office). I'm not the commission! I was told that there are different types of these pumps, some who are on the market are garbage and do not extract enough heat from the ground to heat your water. I would be very careful when choosing these systems as unhappy there many cowboys out there have you tried looking on www.est.org.uk they tend to give honest advice. Be careful what type of solar panels you choose too, the vacuum tube systems are supposed to be the best.

First Solar, as I have a solar photovoltaic system. By Brand are the Sunny Boy inverters and panels are Siemens. The system is four years, and Martinez, California. It is rated at 6 kW and produces about 4.5 kilowatts. You could expect out of this decrease due to efficiency gains and other factors.

I generate about 20 kilowatt hours per day on average. Weather In Yahoo, you can get an idea of what is ours, as, and compare it to yours.

I explored the geothermal heat pumps, and have one installed, except for local laws. They require permits for wells going vertical rather than horizontal. I need seven, and the fee is discounted.

I would be happy to discuss if you come back to me.