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Geothermal Calculator

  • 30-05-2008 12:11pm
    #1
    fitzie79
    Registered Users Posts: 350 ✭✭


    I have been spending the past few months thinking a lot about what heating system to use. I started off with thoughts of geothermal, then wood, then oil and now i'm back considering geo again!

    At the moment I can't make up my mind and in order to do so I'd like some hard facts and figures with which to make the decision. Has anyone ever put together some kind of Excel calculation where the various options are compared, both for the up front cost and also running costs. I know that there are lots of variables like size of house, how well insulated it is, performance of heat pump etc but surely it must be possible to put rough ballpark figures on everything?

    The house I will be building will be a 2000sq ft bungalow (wanted 1.5 story but that's a different issue :mad:) and will have space for upstairs bedrooms at a later stage. I also intend to install solar panels and a wood burning stove in the kitchen/dining/living area. Based on this information is it possible to calculate probable running costs for oil/wood/geo?


Comments

  • #2
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,860 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    yes, its called a Building Energy Rating calculation... BER

    this will produce a report showing
    cost compared to u values........ assuming heating system constant
    costs of running different systems... assuming u values constant
    costs with and without solar collectors

    etc


  • #3
    No6
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,489 ✭✭✭No6


    A BER dons't give you actual running costs, it looks at an averaged situation comapred to an average house?? Don't ask as theres probably some chineese formula to work it out. It can give you infomation on which technology will improve your rating by being more efficent (assuming its insalled correctly and works properly!!) If I had the choice of spending 20k on goethermal or on insulation I'd pick insulation every time, the more "Passive" you make your house the less heat you use, the lower the cost. feel free to pm me for more information.


  • #4
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,860 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    agreed, but actual calculations cant really be used for comparison purposes... only for actual results... thus the BER is a comparitive calculation tool that makes the necessary assumptions.....

    It may not tell the OP the actual costs if he and his family were living in the house, but it certainly can compare costs making the 'necessary' assumptions.

    he could always look at the phpp software and input actuals... but if you think the BER is confusing, wait till you see that!!!


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