Are you stating that your system is temperamental because the wells may be too close together and not deep enough, because your contractor didn't know how to control the system properly, because the balance point may not be satisfactory, and because aux heat didn't engage until the thermostat is 8 degrees below set point?

It sounds like all of this is installer related (design, installation, and setup.) I just want to clarify if you are saying that the technology is temperamental, or your installation is temperamental?

Our WF system is running extremely well. The only hiccup we had so far was 1 lockout, most likely flow (from the loop) related. No problems since I increased it slightly. Glad you are saving a bundle - wow.

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WF Envision NDV038 (packaged) & NDZ026 (split), one 3000' 4 pipe closed horizontal ground loop, Prestige thermostats, desuperheaters, 85 gal. Marathon.

You make the decision. Here are some things I have observed as an hvac tech. Some of the "new" energy efficient gas furnaces can aggravate you to death. How about a service call when the furnace will not light off because of rust under a ground? How about a service call because a wasp started to build a nest in the flue and thus the air proving switch didn't / won't close?

Air to air heat pumps these days are highly reliable; albeit they have a few defrost issues.

I personally have a 18,000 - 23,000 water source Climate Master / Carrier. I have had to replace two expensive Taco valves, ($160.00 a piece) but I have also discovered much cheaper replacements from irrigation manufacturers and Belimo. I have had some low temp trip out issues which I am addressing by smaller night set backs and a 2-3 minutes time delay.

In general water source is relatively simple, especially with the newer fault indicator electronic boards. No defrost system, fewer motors.

My house is 1400 square feet, fairly well insulated. (I will be replacing single pane windows next year with high efficiency double pane ones). I am patching fallen insulation underneath the house. My July 2010 electric bill was $160.00 during 96 F - 104 F temperatures here in South Carolina. I use a Honeywell Pro 8000 thermostat. They cost a little more. You get what you pay for.

That electric bill includes household water, electric cooking & baking, (which I tell my wife to skip in the summer). hot water produced by the desuperheater, lighting, one refrigerator, one freezer, desktop computers, and digital television. If we subtract $30.00 for water usage, the bill is then $130.00. I plan to purchase the GE Hybrid hot water heater which uses 650 watts at 230 volts instead of 19 amps at 230 volts with my present water heater serving as only a preheater tank in the near future. ( This would probably help me even more in spring and fall )

My medical technician friend at the medical school where I work has a 1500 sq foot house and paid $250.00 to the power company last month using air to air AC. His water bill was on top of that.

There is nothing wrong in hanging on to good equipment, particularly if you have something like the old HEAVY DUTY Armstrong cast iron heat exchangers. Run it till it breaks if you want. Meanwhile water source is getting better and better. Copeland scroll compressors have never been better.

Funny thing - I used a $10 Home Depot irrigation valve as the leaving water control for my artesian open loop system. Shortly after I learned here that the TACO is the industry standard and regretted my ignorance, as well as holding my breath waiting for the HoDepot valve to die

I did have the providence to plumb two outlets in parallel, each with its own $10 valve so as to be able to switch to the other if one fails. So far (2.5 years) no problems.

On my to-do list is to mount a switch so my wife can quickly activate the other valve in the event of a low flow lockout while I am out of state on job travel, but I haven't done that yet.

Given HVAC Tech's post, I now feel much better about my rig.

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Curt Kinder

www.hoviscustombuilders.com

Without data, you have but an opinion.
No thing done well is as simple as it seems

Hey Kurt,

I got the idea on the Hunter irrigation valve from a post on geoexchange.org. The interesting thing is that the "cheaper " valve costs $18.00 locally and is guaranteed 2 years over the counter replacement. I used this on the second stage. 3 seconds open /close? It opens pretty quickly but not SLAM / BANG open and closes the same way. The unit doesn't know the difference. They also have a $80.00 version guaranteed 5 years over the counter which is higher quality and may be a little more slow opening closing 4 - 7 seconds ??

I may try a Belimo model which is positivel spring closed with an end switch (for compressor run) if I have further problems with the replaced TACO on stage one but I am NOT going to replace the taco every 27 months at $160.00 a pop.

Maybee they are ok for closed loop.

I haven't noticed excessive valve closure noise, but my system operates at just 10 psi or so - artesian pressure

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Curt Kinder

www.hoviscustombuilders.com

Without data, you have but an opinion.
No thing done well is as simple as it seems