Don't put the geo in front of the house!

If you're considering installing a GCHP system in you home, congratulations...it's one of the most efficient systems you can find to heat and cool your home. It can also provide domestic hot water or heat a swimming pool. But before you start asking for estimates or quotations, it's in your best interest to ensure your home is as efficient as possible.

• Windows have improved greatly in the last 10-20 years. Window coatings and double and triple pane glass, with insulated fiberglass or plastic frames can greatly reduce the heat loss through the glass and window frames. If you have large windows on the west wall of your home, reflective coatings are available that can block much of the solar gain in your home if you are in a hot climate. There are windows being developed that can be adjusted to allow more or less solar energy into the home...if you wish to decrease the solar gains you can adjust the tint of the glass...if you want more solar heat in the home you can decrease the tint and allow more in.
• Insulation values and air tightness of doors has improved over the last number of years to allow less of the heat (or cooling) to escape from your home.
• The air tightness of your home can be improved. In many regions there are companies that offer a "blower door test" to  find air leaks. Air infiltration from the outside can greatly increase the heat loss of your home...or the cooling load in a hot climate...and should be sealed.
• Insulation in the walls, roof and basement of your home may be built to older standards. Improving the insulation values where you can will greatly reduce the transfer of energy to and from your home.
• If you are considering an addition to your home, now would be a good time to consider the energy efficiency of your home.

By improving the energy efficiency of your home, the size of heat pump and, more importantly, the size and cost of the ground heat exchanger (GHX) may be reduced significantly. The cost savings realized in the size of the GHX and equipment will help offset the cost of the improvements of your home. 

And by reducing the capacity of the heat pump you need, the cost of ductwork and/or the hydronic heating system you need should be reduced as well. Overall energy costs for your home will be reduced, first because the home is more efficient to start with, and the heat pump will reduce the lower costs by an additional 65% to 75%.

Another major benefit you will realize by tightening up your home is that the home will be more comfortable. There will be fewer drafts and cold spots. The home will be quieter. 

By making your home more efficient you will increase the value of your home. In many regions, utilities and government agencies offer incentives to install a GCHP system. This can help defray the upfront cost of installing a system. When you ask a contractor for a quotation or estimate, ask for a detailed heat loss / heat gain calculation...and ask him or her what will happen if you make improvements to your home. They should be able to provide detailed calculations for the size of your system and GHX before and after you make improvements to your home.