Debunking 3 Geothermal Myths

I’ve had two GSHP systems over the last 7 years. The first was a retrofit on a conventional AC and gas heat system. Installer did horizontal boring to get the pipes into the house. Hit the pre dug hole perfectly! In my system the manifold for three wells was outside, only the supply and return pipes came into the house. When I built a new home 4 years ago, did the same system. 3 ton system with three wells. Used the same WaterFurnace System 7. 12 stage variable speed pump, compressor and fan. Also, takes off the waste heat and preheats my hot water which is stored in a separate tank. Absolutely awesome system! I pay less than a dollar a day all year to heat and cool a 4,000 square foot home. Eastern Nebraska. Last year total cost was $210. Couldn’t be happier. I advocate for it when ever I can.

We've been on GSHP for 10 years now in MN. 3200sq ft 4 level split and I have 4 closed loop vertical wells 200' deep. Gives us 4 tons of cooling. Electrical utility gave us an all-electric discounted rate so $0.05/KWHr. Dual stage compressor w/10KW 3rd stage electric strip. Avg monthly heating/cooling/hot water costs is $149. House is MUCH more comfortable and ZERO CO risk. We were quoted $12k for a 80% efficient natural gas furnace and new outdoor air coil vs. $24k for the GSHP including wells. With 30% tax credits we were looking @ $17k vs. $12k. Best decision we've made.

Here’s another advantage. It doesn’t matter if outside air is 130 degrees or -40 degrees. The geothermal well will never know it. Amazing technology.

Mech Engr. Here: I have this installed in my own home on the coast of SC. One benefit they do not tell you is that your air temp. will be colder with GSHP and heating air heating greater with GSHP than conventional heat pump. Having done several geothermal systems I see a temperature rise in water temperatures when the units run for a long time such as either really cold days or really hot days. Transferring heat from pipe to earth or earth to pipe is a slow process even with the best improved grouts. Consequently, adding additional wells during construction is not a significant cost, particularly with Fed/State credits, and will improve the long term satisfaction of the owners. I would never, never, never, do one of these systems without an engineer involved. My interest is a system done right, and not profit for well guy or contractor. In the video, they tell you about the valves they put in. Where are the supply and return temp. gauges. Where are the pressure gauges?

2:00 PRICE 4:00 RELIABILITY 5:55 LONGEVITY

8:00 lou's face as matt over pronunciates his exit catch phrase. we feel you lou..

My house was built in 1982 with an open loop geothermal system. It finally malfunctioned in 2013 when the pump malfunctioned because the return well clogged up. I was quoted 5 grand for drilling a new open loop return well and new pump, but I still would be using a 31 year old system. I opted for a new closed loop system with 5 wells drilled in my yard. Around 18 thousand for the wells and system combined, and 7 years later I have a 2000 sq ft all electric home that costs about $175.00 / month year round to heat or cool. Best investment ever. The old system lasted 31 years, let's see if the new one does too!

This may be in the works, but for a video like this, a very brief overview at the beginning on how these systems work (and perhaps why you'd want one) would be helpful.

I love my geothermal system!! very reliable for nearly 14 years so far.

Anti corrosion properties and clean fluid are very important to note, not pumping fine sand will definitely make any pumps and stuff last much longer. Good video guys, thanks

Enjoyed this video. Great content. I did chuckle that the two builders are in jeans, long sleeve tees and vests... and the HVAC guy is in shorts and a short sleeve shirt. The content on this channel mirrors areas of interest and helps answer questions by having experts explain in plain English the systems and why they designed or completed the project the way they did. Always interesting - keep up the good work.

It's so important to debunk the myths. Thank you for sharing!

Thanks for this video - I've always wanted to know more about geothermal workings.

I’d say that one of the biggest misconceptions is that it’s too complicated for regular HVAC guys to maintain. Apart from the ground loop itself, the components are the same. The only major difference, electrically and mechanically speaking, is that the condenser fan is replaced by a water pump, but it serves the exact same purpose.

Thank you from Ireland I have geothermal heating 14 years now. Done it when no one believed it would work. It's been working great even though the installation contractor and the supplier left a lot to be desired. Thank you for the excellent video wish I had you guys doing the job.

Great video as always Matt but I would love to see the heat and circulation pumps too.

I have four ground source systems, three open loop GSHP’s on two wells, pump and dump at my shop (two buildings and office). Heating is in the floor with conventional air conditioning. The fourth closed loop with 2,000 ft of plastic tubing in a pond nearby for my 3,000 sq ft house. I buy the GSHP’s direct from the factory and subcontract the installation to the appropriate trades. My HVAC guy had never seen a GSHP before we started. Today he takes care of everything in the unit, my shop guys maintain the water pumps. Did my house first for half the price our local GSHP guru quoted. Fixin to make an addition to the shop, will add another unit to the one well. I will admit, Mother Nature gives up her water easier than what she takes it back. The first try was 75 ft of perforated 4 inch drain pipe which plugged up after a couple of years. Now I use a 125 ft trench 10 ft deep covered with 3 ft of pea gravel. The numbers I use are 1 gal per min per ton on the open loop system, 500 ft of 3/4” plastic tubing per ton at my house and circulate with 1/6 hp.

My Trane closed loop system is 18 years old and still going. Worried about getting parts now if I have issues since they no longer make this system. My loop is horizontal, and my hot water is heated from it in the summer. 3200 sq ft in North east Ohio.

great video - some more on geo thermal would be appreciated

Superb presentation. This IS the answer. I have been advocating it for years. Both on small scale domestic statems, and large scale commercial systems. A couple of points. Less of the tech speak. The system is very simple, it is almost water mill conceptually. It is easy to explain in simple language. The more tech speak, the more complicated the perception becomes. System longevity. In a closed loop, it is only the pump which is vulnerable. One small part in the system. Your brief came across that the system will last for 25 years. In a more conventional sense it is the equivalent of "your gas central heating system will last for 25 years." Nope, just the boiler, the rest of the system could easily last for a hundred. I think you could have put emphasis on the point that if a turbine is installed it will provide free electricity, with hot water as a by-product, for the life of the turbine pump (25 years), which more than offsets the cost of the well drilling. I believe that as geothermal drilling becomes more common, it will drive the price down of the drilling operation. This could be advertised, not just as a way of generating home electricity and heating, but as a way of generating electricity and selling it, from your own back yard. An investment opportunity. I strongly believe that it is then that geothermal will really take off. Overall a great job guys. I will definitely be using your presentation as a reference.