I recently learned quite a bit about geothermal heating and cooling systems as the result of one being installed in a family member's house back east. With rising heating oil costs, finding a system that would be more fuel efficient was important. And finding an appropriate vendor was essential. Maybe some of you already know a lot about these systems but they were new for me. And I was so impressed with what I heard about the vendor that I felt it important to share with folks in the area. 

Geothermal systems work through a system of wells drilled in the earth (the 4 at the family member's house are each 300 feet deep) the purpose of which is for the circulating water (with antifreeze) to draw heat from the earth (about 55 degrees at this depth) to heat the home. A heat exchanger extracts the heat from the warmed water to heat the home through forced air rather than burning fuel, and the water continues to recycle and absorb the earth's heat. The former heating system, in this case an oil-based furnace, can be used for supplemental heat when it is particularly cold. Geothermal can also be used for cooling when the air temperature is warmed than the earth.

Finding the right vendor for an expensive installation such as this was important. Unique Indoor Comfort was the vendor selected to install once the estimates were provided and the family member couldn't be happier. 

The process was disappointing given the responsiveness, or lack of, in the case of several potential vendors.  Hard to believe when you are talking tens of thousands of dollars for installation (but supposedly there is a tax credit for this kind of system): 

• One never returned the call when asked to come in to conduct an estimate
• A second showed up and completed an extensive estimate process lasting hours but never followed up. Never
• A third also completed an exhaustive estimate over two days and followed up later with the estimate that was double the one selected - about two months later (sorry guys, the system was already installed and working - helloooooo!?). The only one who did a thorough and prompt estimate was Unique Indoor Comfort.

The crew reportedly did an excellent job over a several week period. A local driller was called in to complete the 4 300-foot-wells and thousands of feet of pipe were installed in the walls and throughout the basement of a 250 year old colonial home, including the high velocity pipes for certain rooms to maximize heating. All in all a complex system that works well. 

A number of private homes in the area as well as some schools and businesses are also installing these systems which are gaining in popularity due to long-term operating costs and efficiency, and they re becoming more popular in other parts of the country. These systems are good for the environment as well.

In the Philadelphia area (actually King of Prussia) Unique Indoor Comfort can be reached at (610) 491-9400 or email Nate Kukla at NKukla@phillyunique.com. There are 8 other affiliated companies/offices in other states including New York, Illinois, Maryland, Texas (Dallas) and Massachusetts (Boston). They install other major heating and cooling systems as well.

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If I can provide more information about San Marcos, Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2008 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits