On Going Case Study #1

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Harold & Jen Klassen

Fenwick, Ontario

Description

Harold and Jen are going to live in their dream rural Area of Fenwick, Ontario. The area experiences hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Their Two-level house has a 1,864 sq. ft. main floor and a future finished basement of equal size.

Concerns

The Klassen's decided to build a new home in 2007. The conventional heating option is very expensive using propane or oil. The Klassen's started researching geothermal energy prior to beginning construction. They were looking for a system with low operating costs, reliable worry free operation, and years of comfortable living.

Agenda

Installation took place in the summer of 2008. Planetpower.ca Geothermal Specialist designed and installed the system. A 4 Ton Envision water to air, with a 5 Ton Horizontal Loop System @ 1.25 inch HDPE Heat Hogg Geothermal Pipe, measuring 2,500 ft. in length was buried in the sloping backyard of the large property. The 1.25 inch loop pipe was buried in 2 trenches to conserve space. Since the house has just been built, the loop headers were run thru the side of the foundation wall into the basement to the unit. This way, access to pipe is always an option.

A 4 Ton Waterfurnace™ geothermal unit was installed in the basement. Ductwork was placed throughout the house. The unit provides heating and air conditioning to the house, as well as a portion of the hot water.

Conclusions

The Klassen's are going to enjoy great annual savings over the highefficiency Propane or Oil system. This was the best alternative and they also will have a reduced electrical bills from savings on air conditioning and hot water). The Waterfurnace geothermal system is also, of course, entirely non-polluting.

The Klassen's are going to track their utility bills over the next three years. They should pay, on average, $1,200 a year in total electrical bills. In comparison, the propane or oil system, would have cost an estimated $2,980. a year. The geothermal system should result in a reduction of 70 to 75% in annual operating costs. The Klassen's should recover the extra cost of installing their geothermal system in less than 4 to 5 years.

The Klassen's will enjoy a range of additional benefits from their geothermal system. The Value of their house has increased because of the greater value accorded to a geothermal installation. Since the system is completely safe, fire insurance is one-fifth of what it would be otherwise. The air quality is excellent, with the majority of particulates removed by the filter provided with the unit. The system will also maintain a consistent air temperature better than anything the Klassen's have experienced.

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