The Homemade Heat Pump Manifesto

[AC_Hacker]

Originally Posted by Drake

For the less mechanically adventurous such as my self wish they made a water source HP domestic H2O heater.

It was me thinking thoughts like that, that started me on this very interesting journey.

• I had never brazed before...
• I had never opened a refrigerant line before...
• I had never bought any kind of pump before...
• I had never welded before...
• I had never built a power machine before...
• I had never dig a hole deeper than two and a half feet before...
• I had never dug a trench before...
• I had never built a plastic welding tool before...
• I had never welded plastic before...
• I had never blogged before...

It's time for you to start doing research and making drawings.

You could get very old waiting for "them" to do it.

-AC_Hacker

[Drake]

I have come across two GSHP system case studies that have said that their ground loops stabilized at 40+41 degree as well. Both were multi ton systems. One poorly designed system dropped to 32.

[Geo NR Gee]

I won't lie, just couldn't get thru all of pages before posting this.... Can someone give an overview of what we have learned here?

We are wanting to put in a geothermal ground loop for heating and cooling. I love the idea of DIY.

Years ago I put a car radiator in the attic and pumped the kiddie pool water up there and back to the pool. Never could get the adults out of the pool after that. House stayed cool too.

[AC_Hacker]

Originally Posted by Drake

I have come across two GSHP system case studies that have said that their ground loops stabilized at 40+41 degree as well. Both were multi ton systems. One poorly designed system dropped to 32.

Drake,

Good news.

It would be a good idea for future readers of this blog, if you edited in the links to the studies you are citing.

There are thousands of people reading this stuff.

-AC_Hacker

[AC_Hacker]

Originally Posted by braebyrn

Can someone give an overview of what we have learned here?

Hello braebyrn,

The summary is that yes you can to build a homemade ground source heat pump that can deliver cheap heat to your home.

You don't have to be a high-roller anymore.

I have spent thousands of hours experimenting, researching, going to professional installer seminars, collecting and making the information accessable, right here, to non-scientists, and non-technicians. There's no place else in the web where so much information about how to make your own GSHP can be found.

Although the information is all here, all free, with no hooks embedded and no strings attached, you still have to be motivated and resourceful.

...but if you weren't already motivated and resourceful, you probably wouldn't be reading these words.

Best Regards,

-AC_Hacker

[Drake]

How much should HDPE cost? Only source I can find for geothermal was $1,600. for 1,000'. Home store pipe is only 100' lengths.

[AC_Hacker]

Originally Posted by Drake

How much should HDPE cost? Only source I can find for geothermal was $1,600. for 1,000'. Home store pipe is only 100' lengths.

It shouldn't be nearly that expensive. I did some snooping around to find out where the local GSHP guys get their stuff, and it was way, way cheaper than that. I was using 3/4" diameter.

But I ended going to the local home store and also buying and using their HDPE, it worked just fine too. I even welded the two together and that also worked just fine.

PEX is not so good for GSHP because you can't weld it, you gotta use the metal couplings that can corrode. Welded HDPE is forever.

I don't remember the cost exactly, but I think 300 feet was around $100.

-AC_Hacker

[Piwoslaw]

Not sure if anyone has seen this forum:
Refrigeration Engineer
Looks like there's some interesting info there, but I haven't time to investigate.
Not that it's better than AC's thread...

[hurdman]

Hi I live in canada and up here the winters can be cold I am interested in your ideas and would like any information you can offer! I am building a house and want to be totaly green here are some things I am looking into you can google them for viewing 1st is the 17 foot wind turbine. also they say that vertical wind axis windmills are the best for home systems and I found a realy neet site it is "charlie's web site" which features heating tubes check it out realy neat stuff My I can let you know where I am at with my system and would like to know your oppinion on how to make it better.

[AC_Hacker]

Originally Posted by hurdman

Hi I live in canada and up here the winters can be cold I am interested in your ideas and would like any information you can offer!

Start with insulation, don't start with heating.

Conventional construction practices are to insulate to the minimum standard. If you are building a house, you should insulate your house to at least 2X of what standard insulation is in your area. You will not be taking a wild risk by doing so, you will not be lavish or foolish by doing so, you will be smart.

Build your walls thicker than standard for your area and fill them full with insulation.

Also, air infiltration is a huge loser of heat. Read up all you can about infiltration and build your house so that it is reduced as much as possible. One of the best ways to make tight walls is to use a layer of spray foam, on the inside of all exterior walls prior to insulation.

Make sure your doors and windows are the tightest and best insulated that you can obtain.

When you have reduced your heat loss and infiltration to the minimum, you will need a HRV (heat recovery ventilator) so that the house is comfortable and not stuffy... this is a health thing.

Make sure that the insulation in the attic & under the living areas is also 2X code for your area.

Wrap your house with a vapor barrier and then at least 1 inch ridged foam prior to installing siding.

When you have done all this, then it is time to think about ecological and green heating options, because when the house is super tight, then eco and green options will work.

One of the posters on this blog, North_Pole_Guy shared this great building resource for making a truly excellent house.

First the insulation...

Regards,

-AC_Hacker