Now that you have your heat gain/loss calculation, here's a link to finding a qualified installer in your area.

Good luck & post back.

SR

International Ground Source Heat Pump Association at Oklahoma State University

would you suggest only going with a IGSHPA accredited installer? The current HVAC company our GC is looking at is not on this list.

I am always suspicious of a load calculation that shows zero heat gain or loss for the duct work. It may be small, but it is not zero.

The second floor is 2484 sq feet but only has a heating load of 37K BTU. This is a little hard to believe if the outside design temperature is -8F degrees. The cooling load is 2.5 tons with an outside temperature of 96F degrees.

The volume number of the second floor implies there is a 9 foot ceiling throughout the second floor. This makes the number even harder to believe.

"would you suggest only going with a IGSHPA accredited installer?"

According to the provided link, this is an industry advocacy organization, not an independent licensing or accrediting body. Membership is voluntary and is granted to any person or business paying the membership fee.

I don't know if i'm skipping proper forum etiquette by recommending another forum, but I would have to suggest you post your question at geoexchange.org. Having had my system installed several years ago, I wish I would have found out about both of these forums in advance. I understand now that proper design and implementation of that design are crucial to successful GSHP operation. Good luck.

“Would you
suggest only going with a IGSHPA accredited installer?”

IGSHPA is a non-profit organization that provides in depth geothermal
training for professional engineers, HVAC contractors, consultants, municipal
planners, utilities, geologists, hydrologists, and well drillers among others.
Those that earn this organization’s accreditation are those that have attended
the courses (at great expense, time, effort and monetary) and passed the exams
having learnt ‘best practices’ and can demonstrate that they work in related industry.

“Membership is voluntary and is granted to any person or
business paying the membership fee.”

Only an ignorant fool would make such a statement.

Must you hire an IGSHPA trained contractor? Not necessarily, you
might find a highly experienced and knowledgeable one that hasn’t had their training
– but hiring one that has would be prudent.

IMPO

SR

Those accustomed to communicating with puffery don't like being called on what they say. Your comments and style are self-defeating. Every industry and profession has trade organizations to promote their businesses. Every one. Only a naive person would mistake membership in one as any form of accomplishment or accreditation.

I took a history class at the local community college this term. That qualifies me to join the IGSHPA because membership is open to "any student of higher education".

My installer was IGSHPA certified and had an A rating with BBB. They were in business for a total of approximately 2 years before they left a trail of devastation for many homeowners in my region (http://longisland.news12.com/news/sherman-industry-s-license-suspended-after-complaints-over-heating-and-cooling-system-installations-1.8672185). Any project that requires that you invite someone into your house/life comes with the risk of disappointment. But what's the alternative option, DIY? That's why I believe referrals from friends, family, etc... outweigh any advertisement.

Exactly, stickman. BBB is another voluntary organization that "members" pay a fee to join. It's meaningless.

The alternative is to ask friends and neighbors, ask the business for recommendations from prior customers, due a review of Yelp-like comments (but take those with skepticism, they're easily manipulated) and, ultimately, hope that a business that has been around for more years than others has skill and integrity.

A few years ago, I had a refreshing experience when getting quotes to tear off and replace the large roof on my ranch style house. One of my calls was reluctantly to the biggest roofing company in town, the one that does the most advertising. The owner came out, walked the roof, and gave me a quote on the spot. I asked for references, and he gave me about 8 pages of a small-font spreadsheet printout of jobs they'd done in the past 18 months. It had addresses, names and phone numbers. He said "Go see what our work looks like, and feel free to call any of them". With that, he got the job although he wasn't the lowest bidder. And, with no surprise, they exceeded our expectations with the conduct of the work and the end result.

If you live in an area that's large enough to offer a choice of contractors, the ones who are good at what they do and at running their businesses are easy to spot.

" ask the business for recommendations from prior customers"

I did exactly that and got glowing reviews. Maybe they were satisfied customers before the contractor got screwy or maybe they were actors. I'll never know. Someone on another forum made what I believe to be a good suggestion: ask for referrals to clients who HAVE had problems and get insight into how the issue was resolved by the contractor.