ClimateMaster TT-038 Tranquility 27 2-Stage Heat Pump

Summary of Results:

•The total cost in oil for the preceding 12 months was $1,707.79. The total increase in our electrical bills after the installation of the Geothermal system was $915.64. This gives a net savings on utility payments of $792.15 for the year (46%). Update: I paid $0.72/L at the time for heating oil. Current prices are ~$1.06/L - savings are now in the area of 60% per year.
•While the installed cost for the system was $23,076.48, we received a GST rebate of $692.29 and a grant under the Energuide for Houses program of $957.00 for a total installed cost of $21,427.19. Present buyers of geothermal systems in Ontario are entitled to a grant of $7,000 (combined federal & provincial)
•If we were to build a new house we would definitely equip it with a Geothermal system instead of a conventional combustion system (oil, gas, etc.). It is important to note that builders of new homes should not be trying to justify the purchase by saving $25,000 in utility bill savings, the cost of these systems. Rather the difference between this system and a conventional system (in our case $21,427.19 minus $10,550 = $10,877.19) is the appropriate target. Energy savings alone, at today’s rates, would see this paid back in ~14 years, but this ignores lifetime and maintenance costs which offer further savings with the Geothermal system. Furthermore, for those building or renovating a house with intention to sell, the question to ask is whether or not the home value will be improved by more than the extra investment. The bank considers our home worth much more, but market conditions are the ultimate driver for this analysis.
•The 10kW electric heater was only observed once in the first winter. It happened when we tried to increase the temperature indoors while it was -28C outside. It only operated for seconds at a time and the home was up to desired temperature minutes later. The heat pump kept us comfortable throughout the winter.
•The indoor temperature selected on the Geothermal system was 21C and was not turned down at night to avoid using the 10kW heater in the mornings (i.e. this system is more energy efficient if it is not turned down at night, unlike combustion furnaces which save money when used with programmable thermostats). The oil consumption from the previous year benefited from a programmable thermostat with lower temperatures at night (16C) and while away during the day (15C).


Conclusion:

The Geothermal system was an excellent investment. The increased value to our home is not something we focused on because we intend to keep this house for many years, though it is comforting to know we could make this investment back. The utility savings are in-line with the model predictions from Atel Air and amounted to a 46% improvement this past year. The extra we put towards our mortgage each month is offset by these utility savings.
A Geothermal system is a worthwhile consideration for anybody upgrading their old furnace, building a new home, or renovating a home for resale purposes. All factors considered, it was the most economical choice we could have made.

Just installed and put on line my Geothermal Climatemaster TT038. I purchased it through the internet from a DIY site. (very fast service). Installation involved removing my present system (forced air electric) and putting the TT in the same location so I could connect to existing air plenum.  With a trip to my local HVAC dealer, I got an adapter to make the unit to plenum connection. My well driller put a new constant pressure 15gl/m pump at the bottom of my 500' deep well. The static water level is about 60' from the surface and with a test pump of 5 gallons per minute for 30 minutes decided to place the water return at 150.' (recommended 100' per ton) Had to dig up the yard from the well to the house to run the new to and from lines to the house.  Lines were put 8' down with 4 inches of insulation over the top of the pipes for additional protection from the frost line which here in Vermont can go 4 feet on snow covered ground. All lines from the well to the house were made with 160psi 1.25" plastic pipe. I made all connection to the unit with plastic 100psi 1" pipe and have a slow closing valve and water control valve (to adjust water flow) on the return line from the unit. Specs say you want 8-10 degree drop in temperature through the unit so being able to adjust water flow, I feel, is important for max efficiency.

The unit is quiet and the fan has no perceptible noise. The most noise is made from the adjustable water flow valve. The TT038 has been on line now since August 1st and so far it is working perfectly in cooling mode only so far. Current draw is just under 5 amps at 220VAC. That should put my winter heating bill about 1/6 of what it was last year.  The only power draw I still have to measure is the water pump draw (about 6 gallons per minute) when the unit is in the second stage of heating which won't come for a while yet maybe January or February.

Purchased a new electric water heater last year and I am having some problems with it leaking and Sears not wanting to cover it under warranty. So the water heater (desuperheater) is not connected yet. I also purchased the aux heater (10KW) which will come on if the unit is not capable of producing enough heat, but hope it never comes on, we will see when it hit -35F this winter.

I was quoted $15,000 from a local dealer for the unit and installation. DIY was the only way to go.