Geothermal - Snap Survey

bauderline

Folks,

There has been a fair amount of discussion regarding geoterm on here in the past. However I don't think I have seen much in the way of evaluation of the system from people who actually have it installed and use it on a daily basis.

Due to the way oil and gas prices are currently going I am seriously considering going down the geotherm road in conjunction with UFH.

So those of you who have it installed, fess up, spill the beans, and give me an honest evaluation.

.... Anyone ? Anyone at all ?!

Best regards, Baud.

sinnerboy

Not much help ... 1 client installed ground bore - to water heat pump last year and loves it . Another client ( with a lot properties ) did it once and says never again - favours high effeiciency gas boiler

I did consiter installing a heat pump, but the initial costs involved were too high so went for an oil boiler instead (short term solution). Our house would be perfect for it as we have high levels of insulation & UFH.

I was also worried about having everything relient on electricity.

In the longer term I intend to install a multifuel boiler & solar panels on the (yet to be built) garage and just have oil as a backup.

Mellor

bauderline wrote: »

Due to the way oil and gas prices are currently going I am seriously considering going down the geotherm road in conjunction with UFH.

This is where most people are mislead on heat pumps. They run on electricty, which you are probably aware is the "dirtiest" form of energy in this country. Electricity prices will also rise along side fuel price unless the method of generation is switched.


Most people who did go the route of a heat pump falsely believe that it reduced the heating bill for their new house, but in fact the new house was likely insulated to a higher level than their old so the bill was comin down any way.
As it stands at the minute, a heat pump and a good fuel boiler have about the same carbon emmissions, and also about the same cost

bauderline

Mellor,

I would contend that the modern generation of CCGT stations being built, such as huntstown are considerably more efficient than Ireland's old (coal, oil and turf?!) powered stations the vast majority of which are slated to be run down in the near future.

Add to this the increasing number of renewable sources coming on stream (yes I know the contribution is relatively small at the moment) I believe that electricity will be a cheaper and cleaner solution looking to the future.

Its an interesting argument though.... a possibly even a valid one... for the moment.

Best regards, Baud.

Mellor

bauderline wrote: »

Mellor,

I would contend that the modern generation of CCGT stations being built, such as huntstown are considerably more efficient than Ireland's old (coal, oil and turf?!) powered stations the vast majority of which are slated to be run down in the near future.

Add to this the increasing number of renewable sources coming on stream (yes I know the contribution is relatively small at the moment) I believe that electricity will be a cheaper and cleaner solution looking to the future.

Its an interesting argument though.... a possibly even a valid one... for the moment.

Best regards, Baud.

Of course, its cetainly not my long term view of electricty generation. There is so much room for CO2 to be reduced.
BUT it isn't happening yet, many green sources have been complete for a number of years and are still to be connected to the grid. Its moving at a snails pace.