Preble, NY
Square Footage: 2,400
Year Built: 1909
The homeowner had previously installed photovoltaic panels and a heat pump water heater for the home. However, when an oil furnace failed in the middle of winter 2018-2019, the decision to convert to a ground source heat pump became clear. The installation happened in the dead of winter, with geothermal drilling happening during a Polar Votex. It was drilled by Nothnagel drilling, in sub-zero temperatures, proving that these systems can be installed year-round. The homeowners are happy with the performance from the ground source heat pump so far and are excited for its further use. Although short of net zero, they plan on increasing the amount of renewable energy used by the house in the future. Homeowners have stated that in the winter the room-to-room heat is much more consistent and costs less than the previous oil furnace.
The home was built in 1909 and has had some repair and maintenance done in the past. This includes photovoltaic panels on the roof, 7.28 Kw array, installed in 2015 by Halco. Furthermore, a heat pump water heater and a ground source heat pump were added, making the house close to but not quite net zero. The insulation in the home is a combination of closed cell foam (around roof, basement and crawlspace) and cellulose on the walls. The homeowners do plan on adding more solar panels to try and reach the goal of net zero.
“We are pleased with the outcome. During winter, air temperature is much more comfortable and consistent than with the past system.” - Peter and Ricki
Installation and Energy Details
Prior Energy system: Oil-fired forced air furnace. No air conditioning.
Prior Insulation or Sealing: Yes
New Energy System: Ground source heat pump (GSHP), heat pump water heater (HPWH), solar photovoltaic electricity (PV)
New Insulation or Sealing: Cellulose added to walls and closed cell foam to underside of main roof structure, basement, and crawlspace.
System Specifications:
- Ground Source Heat Pump: Water to air system for space heating/cooling whole house. Make/model: Geostar Sycamore, five ton capacity. Loop field: five vertical wells 150 feet deep. Driller/excavator: Nothnagel. Installed by Halco 2019.
- Heat Pump Water Heater: Heats domestic hot water. Installed by Halco 2015.
- Solar PV: Roof-mounted 7.28 kW array. Installed by Halco in 2015.
Net Zero? No. Close to net zero prior to installation of GSHP. Plan to add more solar PV generation as well as investigate potential for wind power.
Results
- Pleased with the outcome. During winter, air temperature is much more comfortable and consistent than with the past system.
- Geothermal system has not yet been operating long enough to evaluate current energy consumption compared to that of the past.
- Expectation is that indoor air will be cleaner due to updating and cleaning of ductwork as part of the installation.
- With increased electrical demand because of the installation of the ground source heat pump, the homeowners are hoping they can eventually get to net zero by adding more solar PV and/or wind power.
Motivation for Heat Pump Technology
- Concern about climate change.
- Availability of federal tax incentives and other government rebates.
- Possibility of adding whole house air conditioning provided by the same system used for heating.
- Emergency need to replace oil furnace.
Expenses
| Cost Category | Initial Cost | Incentives | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Source Heat Pump | $43,500 | NYSERDA Rebate: $7,005 20% federal tax credit: $10,948 | $25,547 |
| Solar PV System | $23,932 | NYSERDA rebate: $2,640 30% federal tax credit: $6,087 25% NYS tax credit: $5,000 | $9,205 |
| Grand Total | $67,432 | $32,680 (49% of total) | $34,752 |