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Is it possible to build two homes side by side that would share a closed loop geo thermal system?

Demrz7GqDV | Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on

Each house would have their own heat pump. We are building on smaller lots and wondered if it would work.

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    Kristine,
    Yes, it's possible. Here's an article about houses that share a loop:
    https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/homes/oregon-solar-cottage-shares-ground-source-heat-pump-its-neighbors

    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.

  2. Trina Masepohl | | #2

    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 http://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.

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