Does geothermal "Work?"
Absolutely. And, it will probably save you a lot of money. The main thing that determines the “workability” of a geothermal system is the installer. Make sure you hire someone who really knows what they are doing or the system wont “work,” and you will be out a lot of time and money.
How much does a geothermal system cost?
An installed geothermal system usually costs around $5,000 a ton. Geothermal is normally 30% more up front than a conventional system, but after the 30% federal tax credit and local electric company rebates the upfront cost usually evens out.
How long does a geothermal system last?
Longer than a conventional… Geothermal HVAC systems are rated to last around 25 years. We have some customers with systems that have been working for more than 30.
What is a ton of heating and cooling?
A ton of heating and cooling is equal to 12,000 British Thermal Units (Btu.)
How much money will I save?
It depends, but most homeowners will save around half off of their annual heating and cooling bills.
How long does the well field last?
100+ years. So, a really long time.
What are geothermal “wells,” and what do they do?
Geothermal (closed loop) wells aren’t really wells, they are just called that. A geothermal well is just a small diameter hole with high-density polyethylene pipe inside of it. It is not a well in the sense that most people think of water wells. This series of pipe transfers heat from the ground into your home.
Why do you charge for a heat load analysis/duct design?
Because we actually do them. On retrofits we literally come to your home and take measurements and gather the right data in order to calculate your home’s heat load. On new home builds we communicate with your builder and gather all of the inputs so we can run a heat load and perform duct design and layout according to industry (Manual J and Manual D) specifications. We do a heat load analysis before we install any system because your comfort is our business, and we stand behind our work.
Why should I choose Sunrise Alternative Energy as my geothermal installer?
Because we know what we are doing. We only install and service geothermal, so we can focus on geothermal and its unique set of solutions. We have been installing geothermal in Oklahoma for 30 years and consider ourselves experts in the field.
Why does my electric company promote geothermal?
Local electric companies love geothermal because geothermal users consume so much less electricity than their conventional counterparts, and they are all electric systems. Geothermal allows electric companies to reduce their peak demand loads in the summer, which will hopefully keep them from having to build another obscenely expensive power plant.
How much does a system cost?
Usually around $7 a watt installed.
How long does a system last?
A really long time. Most solar panels are performance rated to 25 years. We have some solar panels older than 30 years that are still producing near their factory ratings.
How much money will I save?
That all depends on how many solar panels you install. On average a 2 kilowatt solar array will produce around $30 worth of electricity a month at $.08/kilowatt-hour.
Why should I hire an installer instead of doing it myself?
You hire an installer for their expertise, their compliance to all local codes, their understanding and awareness of the dangers of electricity and roof work etc. We strongly recommend hiring someone to install a PV system instead of doing it yourself. But, if you are skilled enough and willing to put in the time and research to learn everything on your own, it can be done. However, only about 15% of the total installed cost of a solar system is devoted to labor, the rest of it is simply parts.
Can I solar power my house?
Yes. With enough solar panels and an energy efficient home it can be done. But, if you don’t want to spend an absurd amount of money to do it, you need to get your monthly kilowatt-hour average usage down below 700. Think efficiency first, renewables second.
Can I run my domestic water well off of solar?
Yes. But in order to size the solar array needed to power the well we will have to have the well pump’s electrical specs. Without it we are just guessing.
Can I get off of the grid?
Yes. If you are willing to reduce your energy appetite it is quite feasible. If you aren’t …it will cost you an absurd amount of money.
Can I use car batteries with my solar array?
No, you should only use deep cycle batteries. Car batteries just aren’t designed for use with solar.
What is a kilowatt?
One thousand watts.
What is a kilowatt-hour?
It is one thousand watts used for an hour. So, two 500-watt blenders running for an hour would be one kilowatt-hour, or 1kWh.
Where can I find how much power I use every month on my electric bill?
Your electric bill should have a tab that basically says, “kilowatt hours used.” Find that and see what the value is. If it is 1200, you used 1200 kilowatt hours last month. There will also, more than likely, be a chart showing your monthly kilowatt hour usage. That will give you a good idea as to how much power you use during the different seasons of the year.
Should I buy no name, unknown brand solar panels?
No.
Should I use wooden racking for my solar array?
No.
Will a roof mounted solar array cause my roof to leak?
No, unless it is installed incorrectly. If a company that doesn’t normally install solar does it, then all bets are off.
Do I need an inverter?
If you want to power any AC loads, then yes, you will.
What are micro-inverters?
A micro-inverter is a small inverter that attaches to the solar panel and inverts the electrical current from DC to AC at the solar panel.
Can I build my own solar (PV) panels?
Yes, but you probably shouldn’t try. In our experience it is cheaper to simply buy manufactured panels.
How much does a wind system cost?
Approximately $18,000 for a 1.7 Kilowatt turbine
How long does a wind turbine last
About 25 years with regular maintenance. Most turbines require annual maintenance checks...
How much money will I save
A 1.7 Kilowatt rated turbine in Oklahoma will save about $45 to 50 month. This is based on 12 mph steady winds (Our rating in OK) and an $0.08 per kilowatt hour electric rate.
What about vertical axis turbines?
They do not work well. They have inherent balance and bearing issues.
How much land do I need?
We recommend at least one acre of land, preferably more.
Can I install it on my roof?
No, the vibration would drive you crazy. Also for good operation, the turbine must be 20 feet higher than anything within 200 feet.
Are they loud?
No, not really loud, but they do make noise.
What about birds?
Birds are not an issue for residential turbines.
Does the size of the turbine matter?
Yes, the amount of power is a function of the diameter of the blades. Sorry, but it is physics and it’s a law.
Does the height of the tower matter?
Yes, for the same reason as the size. The height of the turbine will determine the apparent wind speed, which in turns determines the power output.
What are the different kinds of towers?
There are basically two types. Guyed wire towers have cables to the ground to balance and secure. Monopole towers are installed in a foundation, usually a pretty stout one. All towers should have a method to raise and lower the turbine for maintenance.
What about maintenance?
The turbine needs to be check annually for mechanical integrity and lubrication maintenance. The tower needs to also be checked annually for structural integrity.
What are mag-lev bearings?
They are bearings based on the principle of electromagnetics. They are typically used in electro motors and centrifuges. Some are being used in high speed trains. However, they are often quoted as being used in residential wind turbines, when in fact they are not. It just sounds cool to say that.
Where are some trustworthy resources on the Internet?
The best two are the American Wind Energy Association and the National Renewable Energy Lab.
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