Wisconsin My DIY GEO Install

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LDE0QQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01

I've used this for a year. The readings from it are very close to what my WEL sensors show (pulls double duty at the bbq grill too)

BTW - I bought one of those TP101's for use at work. Guess I should check it first...

 

Thanks just ordered that one and this one also.

 

Andy - the picture in this thread of your flow center fluid shows the level very near completely full. Mine is about halfway up the cylinder. Do you know what the recommended level is?

 

The picture was taken while I was purging the air out. I have them set at about 3/4 now. I anticipated a little more air to purge out. No idea what they recommend for level. I'm guessing above the return pipe to 3/4 full?

 

After a week of 90-95deg hot humid days here. The geo is keeping us very comfortable!

I was wondering though, I have seen a high of 86 deg on the loop EWT. Wondering if I should have added the extra loop my contractor told me was not needed. Is 86 high?

 

86° is at the upper end of what you would like to see.

 

Thanks. Might be tearing up more yard for another loop. But let's see how this winter goes.

 

good to wait a few seasons and see how it settles in

 

In the first year horizontal loops only perform about 85%, 95% in the second year, 100% from there on. Also you never took heat out, although that might have a lesser effect. With your climate, you should expect about 70F max in cooling season, 30F min in heating season.

 

Remind us again, A/C load, loop field design, depth, # of circuits etc? Since when are you cooling?

 

3 loops of 1" @ 800' long each buried 7' down. Slinky. I belive it's been 10 days of hot and humid now. 3 ton Bosch w2w.

Loops mostly in the 79-80 deg Temps after long run in. But the hbx recorded a max temp on the ground loop of 86 deg.

 

Your load might be higher than your manual J report indicates. Your loops swings too much, a clear indication for a horizontal loop which is either not connected well to the ground yet, or to short for the load. At the end of the day it cannot get rid of the heat well enough. Let it settle over the winter and go from there. You are still well within the operating range of the heatpump.

 

Thanks for the sound advise.

My old heat pump was 2.5 ton and didn't run none stop. So my load should be ok.

I noticed the thermostat has a 2 deg dead band. It waits to kick on until 1 deg over setpoint and runs until 1 deg below setpoint. This makes for some very long run times. But this is normal for gshp correct? Slow and steady wins the race?

Thermostat doesn't appear to have a adjustable dead band. If it dose I haven't found out how to change it.

 

Few days ago we had a good rain.

Long story short I installed 5 yards of black dirt into the sink holes.

I also took down the kids pool and drained that into the trenches. And was amazed how far they sunk in. 2 feet in spots.

Guessing the loop was under performing due to the poor soil contact.

When i originally installed the loops I was very gun shy of packing the dirt back into the trenches so as not to damage the pipes. Later found out how strong that pipe is.

If I was to do it again I would take more time back filling and use a good amount of water.

 

Glad things are improving.

 

Fantastic build! I can't wait to do my system.

 

We it's a little early to know for sure, but in heating mode this system works very very well in mild weather anyway.

I've been busy taking care of other projects that where pushed off while doing the geo install. So I have not been able to install the logger or insulate under the infloor system. Even with that said the system like I said is performing very well.

And so far the little heating we have done is been with about 85 deg buffer setpoint and about 90 deg water at the manifolds thanks to the buffer tank tee setup. Very impressed with the tee setup in both cooling and the mild heating so far.

Just saw last month's electric bill and was happy with how low it was considering we cooled for about half the month.
My small solar payed back more then enough to cover the geo cost.

Happy camper so far! Hope it performs as good when it's very cold this winter!

Again thanks to all that helped me make this happen!

 

Since you have been putting heat into the ground for a month and you said the EWT was around 80*, it will be at it's most efficient in heating now because the ground is warm around the loops.

Same with the beginning of cooling season next year.

You have a very nice set up there, looking forward to the welserver data.

ChrisJ

 

Thanks Chris. My loop Temps are around 62 deg right now.

I forgot to mention the even heat thought the house is what I like most. So far anyway the cold rooms are the same as the rest of the house. Thanks in part to zoning and radiant in general!

I'm looking forward to seeing the system perform this winter!

 

Hey Andy:

Good work, sorry I faded. It has been a long painful six months for me.

As we creep into winter the next thing on my plate if I lived at your house would be to turn the radiant ceiling into a radiant floor. Add the insulation soon.

Mark