Calling it quits.....

[xracer]

.....at least for the house.

After 5 seasons of burning corn, we've decided it is time to move on. The corn stove served it's purpose, saved us money to use for other improvements (my wife got her new kitchen), and overall was a good experience. However, to be honest, it has slowly evolved from enjoyment to a ball and chain. With no backup other than an unvented wall mount propane heater for emergencies, basically from October through April there was no freedom from the daily (well, maybe 2 days at the most on occasion) routine etc. everyone knows goes with the job. The control panel blew out from a storm in April, and that got the wheels turning.

The propane furnace hasn't run for at least 15 years, and given much thought (about 30 seconds) it won't ever again, even with new insulation or a more efficient furnace. Propane just, well, sucks. My neighbor spent over $2000 last year for heating alone, no thanks.

An outdoor wood furnace was an option, but the idea of cutting wood again....perish the thought. They aren't cheap either. I want a back to use in ten years when retirement approaches. In six years or so we'll have the house to ourselves, so that help will be gone. Anyone who's burned wood knows it is a very messy labor intensive venture, not to mention even when having your own trees for fuel is still not all that cost effective once everything is tallied up. That includes visits to the chiropractor and lost income from injuries. I have better things to do in the summer as well.

So, weighing all the options, we decided to take the plunge and go geo-thermal for heating, cooling and water heat. The prices have come down over the years and the payoff compared to propane or NG makes it no longer a novelty. Doing the digging ourselves brought costs down further. The math works out. We've always lived frugally, watched our bills closely and although the family has begged for central air for years we've resisted because of......added cost. With GT we're all happy.

Thanks to jabbott for starting this great forum, and the countless others who've contributed invaluable information and ideas. And thanks to my wife for support in this corn burning experiment, although her allergies "allowed" me to do all the work.
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St. Croix Auburn

[FirepotPete]

I wouldn't think that would mean you have to stop posting here. You have 5 years experience that could still help others. Also let us know how the GT system works for you. Which system/components and the such.
A friend of mine put one in 4 years ago and hates it, sounds like his system takes more tweaking than my corn burner, but just like stoves I'm sure each system and set up is different and yield different results.
Good luck and stop by now and then.
Pete
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Why is there more horses asses, than there is horses?

USSC 6039HF

[SidecarFlip]

I've considered GT here, the 2 well system but my corn is easy and dirt cheap so I'll continue to irritate those downwind with burn't popcorn smell all winter.

Good luck, I hear it's the way to go.
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Flipmeisters Specialty Products, LLC
www.flipmeisters.com

[ARGlock]

Even if I had a GT system, we would still burn corn or something to have a unit to back up to in winter. There ain't nothing like backing up to a "FAR" in winter.

I wouldn't just go to selling that SC Auburn just yet.

Stay Cool Amigos,
AR
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Quad 1200iCB since 04 Corn/Pellet Mix, New St. Croix Auburn 100% Corn, CornVac, 2010 John Deere X320

[SidecarFlip]

[ARGlock]

[xracer]

I'll still use it to heat the man cave, err, work shed for long promised projects never completed during cold months. The corn stove will accomplish that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RXUadcvr0k

My wife claimed the stove's spot immediately anyway. The computer desk is in the corner next to it......that part of it I suspect will be missed.
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St. Croix Auburn

[SidecarFlip]

You are right, none of us know the sex of 'it'. The screen name implies nothing. We do know that 'it' loves graphs and that 'it' believes in government motors, Obama and cap and trade.

I suspect that 'it' has Lilly white non-calloused hands with carefully manicured nails and that 'it' has never done any manual labor, probably has a lawn service and a cleaning service as well.

At least 'its' counterpart has a corn burner and leads a somewhat normal life though his counterpart seems infatuated with large caliber handguns, not that that is all bad.

'It' lists it's location as Toledo, Ohio but I can't see 'it' living in Toledo proper. There isn't much in the way of intellectual citizens in Toledo proper. I suspect he lives in an outlying 'burb like Sylvania or Maumee.

I enjoy poking at 'it'.
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Flipmeisters Specialty Products, LLC
www.flipmeisters.com

[kappel15]

so, you will still be using corn. so, you can still hang around with the rest of us junkies. wishin you the best with your venture with geo,.
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Quadra Fire
Trained Tech.
Sante Fe
Mt. Vernon AE
kan-burn shur-kleenII kap-kleaner

[tjnamtiw]

[quote="xracer"
So, weighing all the options, we decided to take the plunge and go geo-thermal for heating, cooling and water heat. The prices have come down over the years and the payoff compared to propane or NG makes it no longer a novelty. Doing the digging ourselves brought costs down further. The math works out. We've always lived frugally, watched our bills closely and although the family has begged for central air for years we've resisted because of......added cost. With GT we're all happy.

[/quote]

I think you've made a very good decision. I rue the day I didn't take the extra plunge instead of going to high efficiency heat pumps. Especially now that there's a 30% no limit fed rebate plus in Georgia there's an additional 35% rebate!
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Quadra-Fire Castile and Sante Fe inserts

Tom

[xracer]

[tjnamtiw]

That all makes sense about the stabilizing of ground temps. I would be VERY interested in your past/present electric bills to see if they really are much more efficient.
_________________
Quadra-Fire Castile and Sante Fe inserts

Tom

[B-Mod]

Yes, please keep us updated! Thanks..........Brian

[xracer]

Well we've had 3 full months of running the system. We had it installed in mid July but DTE didn't hook up the meter until mid August so the first month's data is not available.

Here are the bills for heating/cooling/hot water




Am I happy? DUH!

In November I finally got around to programming the tstat similar to the corn stove.
8am-1pm 65 fan on auto (off)
1pm-10pm 72 fan on
10pm-6am 68 fan on
6am-8am 72 fan on
weekends- 70-72 when home, 65 when leaving for long periods.
summer temps- 72 most of the time when home, 76 when away.

The last week or so 72 was changed to 70, but "someone" keeps bumping it up.

The crawl space is completely sealed (spray foam) since October and heated. One noticeable positive thing is with the crawl space so cold during hot weather, there were no spiders. No more cold floors in the winter either! The next bill should tell a lot, but thus far the <$500 yearly heating/cooling/hot water cost estimate looks to be on target.

BTW, here is the link for the furnace mfr.
http://www.waterfurnace.com/
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St. Croix Auburn

[Corny]

Hats off to you, xracer. Glad that you're still sharing your wisdom. Hope to see you on the new forum.
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Bixby 115 MaxFire.
My motto: "If it doesn't fit, make it fit."
My mantra: It's in the WIKI!: http://forum.iburncorn.com/wiki/index.php/Bixby