LD1
Epic Contributor
Been doing tons of reading on geothermal as I will likely be installing one this spring. Have a few questions and want to see what some of you have done.
Main thing is DWH and the best way to get the most out of the system. Are you guys running a single tank, two tanks, something else?
Currently have a single 50gal tank. My understanding is that with a single tank, and in heating or cooling season the geo unit will do most of the "maintaining". But when everyone is taking a shower in the evening, and especially if the geo isnt calling for heating/cooling, the electric is going to be doing most of the heating of the cold incoming water. And even if the geo is running, electric is still going to run because the geo wont recover quick enough.
So, I like the theory behind the twin tanks. To keep a pre-heat tank nice and warm, and pull from the electric tank. The pre-heat tank supplies the electric tank so the elements likely wont come on, then whenever heating/cooling is needed for the house, the buffer tank works on heating back up. But with this, the roles are basically reversed. Geo heats incoming cold water, but rely on the electric to "maintain". So its not like one can "shut off" the electric. or the electric tank will go cold while the geo keeps the buffer tank warm.
Is there a way to make the desuperheater "maintain" both tanks? And if not, since I would have to buy another water heater anyway, I was kicking around the idea of a 13kw or 18kw on demand heater and using my existing tank for the desuperheater and unhooking the electric to it. My main concern doing this, is not having enough water heating capacity in spring and fall months when I am neither using heating or cooling. The storage tank, allthough insulated, should still somewhat serve as a pre-heat tank and take the ~40 degree tap water up to maybe 50-60 degrees. But I would still need a ~60 degree temp rise, and a 13kw is good for 1.5gpm, and the 18kw would be ~2gpm. Is that enough for a standard shower? What about 2 showers? (I know I should probably test the GPM of my shower heads) Cannot really go bigger than 18kw as house only has 200a service. So any of you guys running a tankless + buffer tank as opposed to twin tanks? and how big is your tankless heater, and how does it preform.
Next topic. I will likely be doing the install myself. Those that also did their own, who did you get your stuff from? good online sources? Got some quotes and did some chatting with these guys last year and Im kinda leaning towards them Geothermal Heating & Cooling Systems Dayton & Cincinatti, OH
Finally.....pressurized or non pressurized loops? I have read for hours about the pros and cons of both. Still undecided. Any usefull info you can add would be appreciated.
Main thing is DWH and the best way to get the most out of the system. Are you guys running a single tank, two tanks, something else?
Currently have a single 50gal tank. My understanding is that with a single tank, and in heating or cooling season the geo unit will do most of the "maintaining". But when everyone is taking a shower in the evening, and especially if the geo isnt calling for heating/cooling, the electric is going to be doing most of the heating of the cold incoming water. And even if the geo is running, electric is still going to run because the geo wont recover quick enough.
So, I like the theory behind the twin tanks. To keep a pre-heat tank nice and warm, and pull from the electric tank. The pre-heat tank supplies the electric tank so the elements likely wont come on, then whenever heating/cooling is needed for the house, the buffer tank works on heating back up. But with this, the roles are basically reversed. Geo heats incoming cold water, but rely on the electric to "maintain". So its not like one can "shut off" the electric. or the electric tank will go cold while the geo keeps the buffer tank warm.
Is there a way to make the desuperheater "maintain" both tanks? And if not, since I would have to buy another water heater anyway, I was kicking around the idea of a 13kw or 18kw on demand heater and using my existing tank for the desuperheater and unhooking the electric to it. My main concern doing this, is not having enough water heating capacity in spring and fall months when I am neither using heating or cooling. The storage tank, allthough insulated, should still somewhat serve as a pre-heat tank and take the ~40 degree tap water up to maybe 50-60 degrees. But I would still need a ~60 degree temp rise, and a 13kw is good for 1.5gpm, and the 18kw would be ~2gpm. Is that enough for a standard shower? What about 2 showers? (I know I should probably test the GPM of my shower heads) Cannot really go bigger than 18kw as house only has 200a service. So any of you guys running a tankless + buffer tank as opposed to twin tanks? and how big is your tankless heater, and how does it preform.
Next topic. I will likely be doing the install myself. Those that also did their own, who did you get your stuff from? good online sources? Got some quotes and did some chatting with these guys last year and Im kinda leaning towards them Geothermal Heating & Cooling Systems Dayton & Cincinatti, OH
Finally.....pressurized or non pressurized loops? I have read for hours about the pros and cons of both. Still undecided. Any usefull info you can add would be appreciated.
