Is it possible to build two homes side by side that would share a closed loop geo thermal system?
Each house would have their own heat pump. We are building on smaller lots and wondered if it would work.
Asked by Kristine Eiffert
Posted Sun, 10/25/2009 - 19:55
Posted Sun, 10/25/2009 - 19:55
Yahoo
Technorati
Google
Facebook
Delicious
Digg
StumbleUpon
RedditOther Questions in Energy efficiency and durability
In Mechanicals | Asked by Litawyn Eco-Cottage | Feb 3, 12
In General questions | Asked by David Meiland | Jan 31, 12
In Green building techniques | Asked by Darren Smith | Feb 8, 12
In Energy efficiency and durability | Asked by jason hood | Feb 8, 12
In General questions | Asked by John Brooks | Feb 8, 12
Kristine,
Yes, it's possible. Here's an article about houses that share a loop:
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/homes/oregon-solar-cottage-shares-gr...
Remember, though, that you will need a very experienced designer to specify the pipe diameters, pumps, and other equipment for such a system. There is no type of heating system with more opportunities to make blunders and efficiency-robbing errors than a ground-source heat pump system.
Be sure your designer knows what he or she is doing.
Posted Mon, 10/26/2009 - 04:00
Kristine,
To echo Martin Holladay's posting, be sure to look for a qualified installer in your area. Ask lots of questions and get a list of prior projects/references -- and call them all. For a listing of local accredited contractors, you can visit the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association's web site: http://www.igshpa.okstate.edu/index.htm. You can search a similar directory on the GeoExchange web site: http://www.geoexchange.org/directory/. DOE maintains some very helpful and useful information on their web sites at www.eere.energy.gov. Just look under Geothermal, then Heat Pumps. The more versed you are in the language of geothermal heat pumps, the better questions you'll be able to ask a potential contractor.
Posted Fri, 11/06/2009 - 09:48