Jerry,

From what I understand, geothermal loops can go straight down and back up; it's more expensive than a shallow, serpentine horizontal loop but it can be done.

A former boss built a new house with a geothermal heat pump. He calculated that it would pay off, then after moving in discovered that our utility provides a really great rate for electricity in excess of a certain amount used in the winter, when the generators would otherwise be idle. He's laughing all the way to the bank...

 

The problem that I have with geothermal is a problem of logistics. Because of the placement of my house on the lot, I can not get a drilling rig behind my house and drilling in front is simply not an option. I will look into a shallow loop, but again, I am not sure that I can get this to be effective here.

Thanks for the info.

I currently have oil, but I also have gas into the house, so I might look at moving to gas, the efficiencies for gas fired are significantly higher, and I think there is an assistance program for eff. over 90%.

 

The expense vs return of geothermal does not make it a viable solution for me at this time. I use around 300 gallons of oil a year and to save enough $ via the geo install it will take a lot of years to re-coup my cost. I dont plan on being in this home that many years.

 

Okay, now that we are closer to cold weather, I am getting ready (I think).

I had a guy in and we have settled on the Buderus (after a couple of strong recommendations). The efficiency is 95%, it vents through PVC!

I am still trying get the price down a bit, but the Feds are giving up to $1500 for high efficiency heaters and our local gas company is giving up $400, which does help.

This should be resolved in the next couple of weeks.

 

Ken, is there any income restriction on the Federal assistance?

 

nope

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?...edits.tx_index

and i think you can double dip with a mass rebate as well but you need to do a free energy audit first

Energy Star Rebates

In the Northeast, participating electric utilities and energy efficiency service providers offer instant coupons for ENERGY STAR qualified lighting and mail-in rebates on ENERGY STAR qualified appliances to encourage purchases of these products and to help save customers money.

http://www.masssave.com/links/


High-Efficiency Oil / Propane Equipment*
Rebates on high-efficiency oil or propane heating systems, water heaters, and weather-responsive controls.
High-Efficiency Oil or Propane Heating System
New furnace or boiler can reduce your heating fuel usage
Up to $500 in rebates for high efficiency oil or propane heating system
High-Efficiency Oil or Propane Indirect Water Heater
Saves energy by allowing the boiler to cycle less frequently
Qualified installations are eligible for a $300 rebate
Weather Responsive Controls for Oil or Propane Forced Hot Water Heating Systems
Also known as a boiler reset or boiler water temperature control
Adjusts your heating system water temperature in relation to the outdoor temperature
Helps your home maintain a constant temperature for better comfort
10-20% reduction in heating fuel usage
Less wear and tear on your boiler
$100 rebate per weather responsive heating system control

 

And I'm in forced air fired by natural gas country, but I love my 96.5% efficient Carrier which was new in 11/07, and this year, coming new in 11/09 is the Rinnai Tankless On-demand water heater.

Good luck with your boiler, now is indeed the time to go more efficient.

 

What Steve said. I have been looking at this for a while and have not seen any loopholes. They will credit you for 30% of the cost of equipment and installation, up to $1500.

 

Oil burner only, or natural gas too?

 

both oil and gas

However i think you'd be hard pressed to find an oil burner with a 90% efficiently rating as required (mine was 85% and that was the best they sold three years ago)