System uses earth's energy, saves money
Jay Feuerstein's new home in Sussex will rely on energy from the earth to both cool and heat the dwelling, which will ultimately save him thousands of dollars a year.
Mark Doll of Professional Geothermal Systems based in Port Washington, installed the unit at Feuerstein's home, which is under construction. Doll said the system works in different ways, depending on the season. In winter, heat given off by the earth's energy runs through the system and is distributed throughout the house. During summer, heat is rejected, and a ground source heat exchanger is used to cool off the home.
Doll said the geothermal heat/cooling system is 400-percent efficient as compared to traditional fossil fuel systems that are 95-percent efficient or a propane system, which operates at 70-percent efficiency.
"Every $4 of energy you spend, you get $3 from the earth, and you get one unit of energy," Doll said. "Anywhere from 50 to 70 percent is what you're saving on your energy bill."
Although the upfront cost was double what he would have paid for a traditional heating and cooling system - about $25,000 to $30,000 for geothermal as opposed to around $13,000 for a traditional system - Feuerstein thought the geothermal unit was a good choice.
"It's a long-term cost-efficient system," Feuerstein said. "It's a much better alternative to other heating and cooling systems."
Doll said people can also save money another way because all they need to do is change the filters.
"The maintenance cost is zero," Doll said.
Installation began about a month ago, and five wells were drilled on the lot 180 feet down to install the pipe, which has a 50-year guarantee. Installation should be complete soon, Feuerstein said.
"Traditionally it takes about the same amount of time as a fossil fuel heating/cooling system," Feuerstein said of the installation.
A vertical or horizontal unit can be installed, depending on the size of the lot. Feuerstein said his new lot is a quarter acre with a vertical unit. Horizontal units require an 8-foot buried-loop field of piping, so more acreage is necessary.
Feuerstein said because less fuel is used, there are less carbon emissions given off, which is better for the environment. He thinks more people haven't started to use the technology because they are unsure whether it works or are apprehensive about the upfront cost.
"The unit begins to pay for itself," Feuerstein said. "Over the long run, it just makes sense."
Doll said Professional Geothermal Systems hasn't installed any other units in the Sussex area, and Feuerstein said it might be the first unit of its kind in the area or at least in a residential dwelling. Doll said he has seen more people and businesses move toward the units, including Lake Mills Middle School in Lake Mills.
A new cap and trade bill would tax people for excess greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions, which also may sway people to install the system if it becomes law. Currently the government is providing a 30-percent tax credit for the installation of a geothermal systems unit, electric installation costs and for the well system. So, if someone installs a $30,000, unit they save $9,000. Feuerstein said he also received a $1,500 Energy Star rebate, which is a government-supported energy-efficiency program.
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