Geothermal Mini Split Air Heat Pump works in -40'

[@hopechannelcat5462]

i believe this would be a great solution to rising cost we are now experiencing.

[@SimpleTek]

exactly!!!!!!

[@mzi6519]

Jear you are back . i realy missed your videos . Happy to see you more in 2023

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you sooo much for the kind words!

[@namaefumei]

Omg where have you been? Are you alright? Happy to see you back mate!

[@SimpleTek]

Working, thank you for the kind words!

[@sultanast]

Simple Tek is back! Nice to see a new and nice video.

[@SimpleTek]

Hey, thanks!

[@rjay5506]

Yeah I have some concerns about the airflow with this system, the BEST 6" mixed flow fans (like a hyper fan or even AC infinity) move 430cfm or so and thats with no load. The fan on the outdoor unit of your average 20 seer 2 ton mini split moves 2500-3000 cfm. And those 6" mixed flow fans are not going to move anywhere near that 430 cfm when blowing through 250ft of corrugated tube. The "duct booster" fans shown in the video are much less efficient and move much less air, like 150cfm or so.

[@SimpleTek]

you add a fan on both ends, one pushing and one pulling. you add tubes depending not he size of your mini split.

[@russiannpcbot6408]

This is why you Frankenstein it by installing water based geothermal lines and switch out the evaporator with a refrigerant to water heat exchanger.

[@oaklejant]

@@SimpleTek then it means 300W + 300W for the fans?

[@ernestlageman1553]

Is it not possible to use the ventilator from the heat pumps them selfs, I ask my self???

[@GMC-qo9xi]

@@ernestlageman1553 yes, I think you could push/pull through the tubes with that main blower. If in the insulated box you make, you can tightly fit it to separate the air in side from the air output side, it should be able to help with the job for the little inline duct blowers. I think in some scenarios, maybe a large higher efficiency duct blower might make sense on each end, like an 8-10”+ furnace blower... and make a manifold, where the 10” outlet/inlet splits off into the individual smaller lines. Would need to test it before burying it or hopefully find someone who’s already done the tweaking and proven what works best. (As you could add individual line blowers as well and/or control main furnace blowers with a variable speed control. An ‘Air balancer’ person might be able to help with optimizing the design.)

[@NL-gn2dl]

It would be even better if you can attach a draft of blueprint to illustrate your idea, or a simple step-by-step walkthrough. Great video!

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the kind words. I’ll post an install video this summer when I do it.

[@viniciusbraga5846]

I second that ! It would be great to watch a step by step process

[@danielnicholls6868]

in Sweden there's a house in a green house . any heat lost from house into green house can be returned cheaply with a mini split plus any solar gain win win

[@SimpleTek]

I've seen it, very cool

[@danielnicholls6868]

@@SimpleTek no very warm lol

[@SimpleTek]

@@danielnicholls6868 lol

[@middleway1885]

Boop... Happy New Years! Great episode...

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you soo much!

[@searlearnold2867]

Great system. Know of a house for sale with a geothermal system in it that was never commissioned. would be a good candidate for this.

[@SimpleTek]

that's awesome

[@KimberlyRPeacock]

If I am in a rural area with well water, then I would do a modified open loop and save myself the excavation costs. I would encase the outdoor unit in an insulated box like you show, and within the box, I would have it large enough that I can put in a tank connected to a radiator and a fan and a pump. You can use radiator fluid like in a car, the reason is if you use water and lose power then water might freeze. Alternatively if you have a shallow well, where water table is high you can use heat pipes and no need for a pump as the heat pipes are connected to the water below which is 10C on average and will convey the heat to the tank, and the fan blows air through the radiator which warms it. You can also couple this with flat plate solar collectors and heat pipes that extend to your working liquid fluid and warm it and mix it with the grounded liquid reservoir to elevate the temperature of the air. Or have a large enough reservoir tank for the solar thermal panel that you can mix throughout the evening when it’s normally colder at night. And if you have backup wood heat for the coldest nights say in January of February you can use a wood loop with a copper loop around the black stove pipe.

[@SimpleTek]

@@KimberlyRPeacock sweet

[@Swampwild1]

Great to see you back!!! We were concerned. This is the solution I like best so far. I rejected the earlier idea of cheap geo thermal because I wanted the year round function and convenience and asthetics of the mini-split. Not sure if I will do this in 2023 or 24 yet but love it. Thanks so much.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the kind words, glad I could help!

[@AbidAli-bv2gl]

Excellent video, Lot to learns. After long time

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you!

[@chammockutube]

Inlet airflow only need to be enclosed by a plenum connected with the underground ducts and “booster”fan, all computer modeled or manually calculated to size them. /eliminated reduction in airflow. Discharge of the condensing/evaporator unit (outdoor unit) does not need to be ducted, but merely discharged to ambient air.

[@SimpleTek]

Cool ideas

[@skylerdylan1005]

This is kind of brilliant in its simplicity.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you

[@williamwalter8554]

HUZZAH, Welcome back Scott.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you sooo much!

[@kevinh21labs]

In another video you mentioned that these corrugated pipes will crack because they're not designed for this type of use. If they fill with water and are unable to pass the air through them, it seems like I've only created a problem for myself. There's HEPA filters that can block out the bacteria that might travel through the forest air pipes so that's not a huge concern. But it is another option if there's a way to protect the pipes from cracking or allowing water in. Or use perforated pipe that at least lets the water out if it's buried in gravel similar to a septic system. But I'm building a house on the cheap so this may end up being the way that I go or maybe I'll run the liquid and the air in the same trench to leave myself options for later.

[@SimpleTek]

Interesting

[@mikelyon7748]

quite interesting but I would like more details of the enclosure around the mini split outdoors. Also a flow diagram would be very helpful for the airflow.

[@SimpleTek]

Noted! - it's just a large insulated box with corrugated pipes coming in and out of it on each end

[@mikelyon7748]

@@SimpleTekunderstood. The corrugated tubes bring in the air to the outside unit but then the air is exhausted to the atmosphere. How does the box allow the exhaust air to escape? Once the geothermal air passes thru the outside unit it needs to be gotten rid of, correct?

[@Dimrain13]

@@mikelyon7748 It would just pass into the tubes and go back around the loop. If its the correct size you should always have the same temperature coming in at the intake. In short it would be a closed system at that point with no need to exhaust.

[@anthonyspadafora1384]

@@Dimrain13 That would be ridiculous, the air being rejected from the evaporator is going to be 20 degrees colder than ambient. That would need to be put into the atmosphere and new fresh air that is 20 degrees warmer would reenter the ground loops. So really what you need is a half box encapsulating the inlet side of the evaporator and the inlet pipes outside the box in fresh air.

[@Dimrain13]

@@anthonyspadafora1384 I'm not so sure that it's crazy since the fan will be pulling cold air through the wam radiator then into the outdoor unit then out to the atmosphere. The radiator would drop the intake temperature but I'm not sure by how much since it likely based on the flow rate and size of the radiator. That said having the whole unit in a case would likely be more efficient since it's able to be kept a constant temperature, but having thinner piping has something to be said for it vs a air duct going to a second floor. Idk maybe it's possible with a 2in duct with two high power fans? I need a calculator for this.

[@TravelingTramps]

Informative video, Scott and we enjoyed it. Sadly, we don't live in a high rise apartment but a condo complex which would seem to fit in the same category with the space needed outside. The HOA wouldn't be happy. Be a great way to save some money! Met you on our Canadian road trip a while back and you certainly need some help in the cold weather your enjoying now! Great information. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@SimpleTek]

Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you come back again!

[@ajarivas72]

@@SimpleTek I already suscribed and liked your channel. Altough I like to watch videos about Kardishan too

[@SimpleTek]

@@ajarivas72 thank you sooo much!

[@ajarivas72]

@@SimpleTek I really learnt a lot about energy efficiency with your video. I am very motivated to implement the geothermal system

[@SimpleTek]

@@ajarivas72 that’s awesome

[@silentvoiceinthedark5665]

I custom made a system like this for my central AC in 2017, for a 5 ton AC I started with 600 feet of corrugated PVC pipe @ 40 inches under ground. It lowered my electric bill in the summer. In April 2021 I tripled the amount of underground pipe pushed it down to 60 inches. I intend to install a heat pump but for now I only have the central AC running. I dont have a closed system so I have to filter the intake of the air to the ducts system.

[@SimpleTek]

love to hear the results of the new system!!!!!

[@silentvoiceinthedark5665]

@@SimpleTek The first 600 ft is still at a depth of 40 inches I did not have the energy to shovel it out and risk damage. The new 1200 ft I hired a back hoe to dig the channel and a large 14 ft circular hole at about 15 feet depth. I don't have the acreage to do straight linear. What do you think about running these pipes through the attic for a heat pump? I heat my pool with hot air from the attic in the summer with 2 radiators from a junkyard

[@SimpleTek]

@@silentvoiceinthedark5665 interesting, I’d love to hear about the results of the attic

[@russiannpcbot6408]

I'm working on turning some window AC units into zoned geothermal radiant heat pumps. I think of the idea as geothermal mini splits. I'm going to dig my own vertical loops. I'll have 10+ 60' vertical loops. I plan on running geothermal lines to each AC. I'll switch out the radiators with refrigerant to water heat exchangers. I can switch water flow to alternate between heating and cooling. It's a complicated project, but it sounds fun to me.

[@SimpleTek]

that's a really interesting idea, thank you for sharing!

[@andreycham4797]

посмотри может у тебя вода близко и тогда все эти ..лупы бурить не надо, пару абессинок пробурил 10- 15 метров, самодельный вода- вода на них повесил, живи и радуйся почти бесплатному теплу в доме. Это мой примерный план на будушее лето, если воду не найду на глубине до 15 метров то десяток дырок под лупы наделаю с помощью абессинского буратино

[@SimpleTek]

@@andreycham4797 don’t speak that language

[@andreycham4797]

@@SimpleTek Ok, I was talking to Russian bot

[@SimpleTek]

@@andreycham4797 lol

[@monokheros5373]

HES BACK cheers mate stay warm im guessing your basing depth off 5 feet below frost line excavator instead of a trencher? interesting

[@SimpleTek]

depends on your location - here we need 8 feet or more

[@mkeyx82]

How to deal effectively with mildew buildup in the pipes? I expect condensation in the pipe, moisture will lead to fungal growth.

[@SimpleTek]

honestly - who cares? it doesn't translate to your house when using a mini split

[@mkeyx82]

@@SimpleTek I don't know man, that black mold spores can't be good for one's respiratory tract.

[@SimpleTek]

@@mkeyx82 once again, with a mini split none of that transfers into the house. It’s a heat transfer not an air transfer into the house

[@mkeyx82]

@@SimpleTek oh, yes, of course, silly me. I was thinking about those systems that use similar piping to get the air directly into the living area.

[@williambuckley7618]

But would it adversely affect the performance if you did use perforated pipe?

[@mattrestivo]

this is smart. thanks for sharing. excavation yeah is expensive but we’re thinking about putting in an adu and this could make sense for us tbh. any spreadsheet breaking down cost savings over time? it’s basically going to be an up front investment of the excavation, tubes and fans. that’s like an additional $5-7K call it. wonder how much electricity savings it takes to pay back over time or if we are just fine with solar if we live in colorado?

[@SimpleTek]

Good question

[@rvingonthego]

Glad to see your back

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the kind words

[@timothycopeland5988]

Do you ever have to worry about water or roots getting into the tubes?

[@SimpleTek]

good question - I haven't had an issue... if it's a sealed tube it shouldn't be a problem but stuff happens...

[@kathrynblecher5211]

Is there any concerns with radon with this technique?

[@SimpleTek]

not in a closed system, any radon issues would end at the mini split outside.

[@stevepailet8258]

Think an inverter style heat pump would be super efficient where I live. Adding the box and ground source would only make it work amazingly cheaply. Since I am basically looking at a delta T of about 15 degrees. Not sure why I would need to do much more than circulate the air thru the tubing and back into the box. This to me makes a great deal of sense since there seems zero reason in my thinking that one would need to pick up cold air from outside air rather than keep circulating the air thru a warmer ground source.

[@SimpleTek]

Well said.

[@mdabbaskhan]

What type of pump do we need to use when using the closed loop with antifreeze or windshield fluid?

[@SimpleTek]

a taco pump or similar brand

[@mdabbaskhan]

Thanks

[@paulmaxwell8851]

Several companies make suitable pumps. Grundfos, Taco, Bell and Gosset......but it takes knowledge to select the right pump based on desired flow rate, total resistance of the run, working temperature etc. There are many, many models to choose from but only a small number will be suitable for any one project.

[@SimpleTek]

@@paulmaxwell8851 test test test

[@Swampwild1]

You have to buy the right fluid from an industrial supply company. It’s not much more expensive but you don’t want to clean up the mess from using plumbing antifreeze, car or washer fluid.

[@herbertcharles8606]

This idea is very interesting, I think if you circulate this ground air into a box around an standard out door heat pump condenser, you could use your heat pump down to zero Fahrenheit for the winter, and design this encloser with openings for summer use.

[@SimpleTek]

Yep!!!

[@SimpleTek]

But understand it’s also colder air for summer use which means less energy to cool

[@stevepailet8258]

older heat pumps only operate down to 42 degree or so. so this is the reason for an inverter style heatpump

[@SimpleTek]

@@stevepailet8258 ok

[@herbertcharles8606]

@@stevepailet8258 I have a 10 year old heat pump a York it continues to supply heat at 20 Fahrenheit and lower,but there is less capacity and the electric kicks in to help, when stat see 2 degrees lower than the setting it brings on 1 stage of electricity to help out but the heat pump keeps going till the stat is satisfied, if the out sensor finds the temperature 0 Fahrenheit it will shut the heat pump off , at this temperature there is not enough heat to justify the cost of running the heat pump.

[@jeromeclatot1769]

Thank you for this video. I am not exactly sure how you actually have the tubing arriving in the insulated box where the condenser is. Do you really have to have the condenser inside the house? Why can’t it remain outside? Thanks

[@TheBlindBartimaeus]

Could this be done for a heat pump for the house overall with the same effect?

[@SimpleTek]

yes, first a mini split IS a heat pump, one that uses air. You could also do a liquid system with a liquid heat pump, which is the most common type of geothermal used for homes today but they are a lot more money

[@TheBlindBartimaeus]

@@SimpleTek that is why I was thinking this could be a more affordable solution

[@Greg-McIver]

Like the video. Are there any trenchers that go down 6-10 feet?

[@SimpleTek]

good question, the machinery is possible but the issue is sloughage falling in when you get that deep and you have to widen out the edges. unless your'e on solid rock

[@andrepage6552]

Hi hi dont understand the principe of the insulated box do you have plan of this i have 18000 btu mini split who many pipes and how many feet for this installation

[@SimpleTek]

it's different in every installation

[@imtheonevanhalen1557]

If you have a water well, simply buy a water source heat pump (geo-thermal...), and plumb it in. Think about how deep the water well is, and the stability of the temperature at that depth.......I have two, and both work amazingly well. Find great deals on the heat pumps on eBay!!

[@SimpleTek]

Yes those work great!

[@ajarivas72]

How do I search the heat pump in eBay? Under what name or brand? Where can I get a heat exchanger to increase the efficiency of the minisplit with cold water in summer and with hot water in winter? In my experience, when the air ambient temperature drops below 5 ºC my minisplits consumption goes from 230 watts to 800 watts

[@SimpleTek]

@@ajarivas72 everything is in short supply these days, keep trying eBay and Amazon

[@RISEUP220]

I have a mini split. But I don't think I have a large enough back yard for the tubing. Any suggestions?

[@SimpleTek]

You don’t have to run the lines in a straight line

[@michaelstarkey9745]

Love it smart smart quality information ******

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you

[@michaelstarkey9745]

Fully explained easy to follow EXACTLY WHAT I NEED AN WAS LOOKIN FOR TYTYTY

[@williambuckley7618]

Would it adversely affect the performance if perforated pipe was used?

[@SimpleTek]

greenhouses use perforated pipe all the time for this

[@searlearnold2867]

Perforated pipe will fill with sand and clay fines as it is designed for drainage. Standing water/ moisture in the pipe will have a negative effect on your equipment over time. Better to keep things dry in those pipes.

[@williambuckley7618]

Thanks for the reply guys. Interesting video.

[@paulmaxwell8851]

I think this is something that could work. However, getting it right could be a challenge. You need to get the total length of those flexible pipe runs just right, and bury them at least eight feet deep. And the fan shown as an example would not work at all; you need a proper squirrel-cage fan designed to move air through a high-resistance collection of flex-pipes. Still, I do think this idea has merit. I'm tempted to do a little experimenting myself.

[@SimpleTek]

Keep me updated!

[@Martinko_Pcik]

If you are digging up the whole yard, why not to use liquid based heat pump with more efficient heat transfer with ground as compared with air. The majority of the cost is digging and not in the heat pump unit as far as I know

[@SimpleTek]

The mini split allows for easy installation DIY in many cases. You need a full furnace setup with ducting for most liquid systems. Basically simplicity

[@Martinko_Pcik]

@@SimpleTek there is nothing simple about digging out 8 ft deep trenches and putting plumbing in them.

[@SimpleTek]

@@Martinko_Pcik simple for me

[@Swampwild1]

@@SimpleTek I like the idea of no box and balancing the CFMs between the mini split and ground tubes. Exhaust to outside. We need calculations. Would smooth larger pipe make that much difference? Your earthhouse friend invented a cheap way to make that type of air pipes by spraying inflated plastic. Risky!

[@dus10dnd]

They’re expensive. Even if you do the entire thing DIY, the geothermal heat pump will be at least $10k… then whatever other costs you may have. An air source heat pump DIY is $3-5k for a really good whole house central air unit.

[@Beaster456]

I have been imagining some system like this and trying to find some info on something, finally stumbled upon youe video! Would there be any difference in doing this on a regular heat pump?

[@SimpleTek]

@@Beaster456 it’s possible I think

[@Beaster456]

@@SimpleTek do you have many resources on designing such a system? Like how big does the insulated box need to be, how big pipe needs to be, how long etc?

[@SimpleTek]

@@Beaster456 sorry, no

[@chrismaxny4066]

We have a 5 ton Geothermal System and the final cost was $21,315 powered by our Solar System. Yes if someone already has a Minisplit System or doesn't have a forced air heating system this is something to consider. The only weakness I can see are the duct fans which might need replacement at some point.

[@SimpleTek]

that's CHEAP for a liquid geothermal system!!!!!

[@ssoffshore5111]

I've never heard of a complete GT system (especially a 5 ton system) only costing a hair over $21k installed. I'd love to hear more details as that's WAY cheaper than anything I've ever heard of. Maybe if it was DIY, but that might still be tough today.

[@SimpleTek]

@@ssoffshore5111 well said

[@chrismaxny4066]

@@ssoffshore5111 Actually it's not DIY installed by company. The system as quoted was $40,375 reductions: $1750 discount for cash payment, $9820 rebate from NY, Fed Tax Credit $7500 final cost : $21,315.70

[@BobPaul]

@@chrismaxny4066 This is what I want to do at our new home, but it's an old brick house; even the interior walls are brick. I can't run duct work. I have exactly 1 stud-frame wall I can use to access the 2nd floor and run either water or refrigerant tubes (through the floor or ceiling) to mini-split style head units in each room. Unfortunately all of the products I'm seeing seem to be ducted forced air systems (with an option for radiant floor heat). I'm hoping to get off both oil fueled radiators and window AC units at the same time.

[@jamessorensen7277]

Thank you!

[@SimpleTek]

I appreciate that!

[@rcole1952]

How about connecting the Heat pump directly to a green house? In the Pacific North West a well built green house very rarely gets below freezing. I would get more year around use from a green house than expensive hoses,

[@SimpleTek]

Good point

[@shdwbnndbyyt]

Just a note for US watchers... -40 C is equal to -40 F and it is the temperature where mercury freezes. +5 C (the ground warmed air) is equivalent +41 F. Another note for those who claim that Fahrenheit degrees are "unscientific" and Celsius degrees are. Both Fahrenheit and Celsius modified other people's existing scales. Fahrenheit multiplied the existing scales degrees by 4. So the zero point was an easily reproduced chemical salt/water/ice bath that could be made anywhere and the 100 degree point was the average body temperature of people at that time. As sanitation and health care improved over the centuries, people had fewer long term infoections and their average body temperature dropped from 100 F to 98.6 F by the 1960's and down to about 98.2 F today. Celsius modified the scale he borrowed by changing the number of degrees from the boiling point of water (the original zero point for the scale during his lifetime) to the freezing point of water, from 150 degrees to 100 degrees CENTIGRADE. Now as a chemist, I can tell you that measuring either the freezing point of water or its boiling point with any accuracy is extremely difficult and imprecise. The boiling point especially, as it is dependent on the current atmospheric pressure. As for the scale being reversed to what we have today, this occured only AFTER Celsius died. Thus Fahrenheit's scale was actually more rational and scientific than that of Celsius... and while we STILL use Fahrenheit's chemical salt/water/ice bath today for calibrating primary thermometers of any scale, the use of boiling water or freezing water is never used as being unreliable. Human body temperature is also no longer used due to the changes in sanitation making the old standard no longer reliable.

[@SimpleTek]

cool info, thank you

[@m23605]

Most heating engineers would use Kelvin. The Celsius scale tracks Kelvin perfectly (but is offset). 0 degrees Celsius is water's triple point in vacuum and water's freezing point at around 1000mbar pressure (sea level). SI units (and their derivatives such as Celsius) are objectively useful.

[@shdwbnndbyyt]

@@m23605 Likewise for measuring and planning chemical reactions for industrial processes, chemists like me often use Kelvin instead of Celsius... that way the graphing and predicting of the reaction rates is greatly simplified.

[@anthonyspadafora1384]

Are building a box around the entire outdoor unit?

[@SimpleTek]

yes

[@makoado6010]

what i did in hungary years ago... just brought a 20kW high (at least 35bar tested) pressure lamellar water-water heat exchanger its was about 90usd. removed the air exchanger from a cheap 6kw chinise ac replaced with the lamellar heat exchanger. i have a well in my garden i just drop a small ~100W diving pump into with a siolated 20mm kpe pipe to heat exchanger. its placed into basement, teh used water just go to communal waste network. no so legal but i dont care. only on safety thing need a fluid flow switch after the heat exchanger what turn off the ac if the pump do not proivde enough water. its working cc 5 years ago. and teh cost was about 1/3 of the similar water-water or water-art heatpump system.

[@SimpleTek]

That’s awesome! Thank you for sharing

[@stereotypo1]

Why not use the system on your video "Cheap Geo Thermal Air Conditioning"? Place the radiator on the air intake side of the outside unit and allow the fan of the unit to draw air through the radiator through the heat exchanger.

[@SimpleTek]

Lots of different ways to do it ;)

[@stereotypo1]

@@SimpleTek True. But in the aforementioned video, you gave reasons not to use corrugated tubing for space heating. Those reasons all seem valid for not using the corrugated tubing for evaporator heating.

[@davebenz8271]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@austintrees]

Bro, I just checked your channel 2 days ago, thought the Covid Mounties locked you up for not trying to eat the bugs. Welcome back!

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you! Caught covid once actually but I got lucky and it was a mild one.

[@smartelectriccar]

“COVID Mounties”?! What conspiracy theory websites are you watching?! Canada is the best place on earth and our government is sane…unlike conspiracy theory spouting fools

[@SimpleTek]

@@smartelectriccar it was a joke

[@Swampwild1]

If all your trying to do is not draw air from-40 then maybe having a smaller Chinese greenhouse close enough to the building? Maybe for lots that can’t do geothermal pipes.

[@SimpleTek]

good idea

[@dus10dnd]

Uh, so, if you use the condenser fan... you can use it to pull the air through the tubes... no need to acquire additional fans or power them, so that will save money and make everything simpler. Maybe you fix it simply by having a bigger diameter... but even if the air flow is somewhat restricted, the warmed air will improve efficiency.

[@SimpleTek]

Ok

[@grommie]

I agree with a lot what you say here. But in my opinion, using air as a medium throuw the garden is not the best idea. And the plastic is an isolator not a good conductor. It might be save, but a fluid conducts more anergy. Now, we have an airco, and i almost never turn it on when its lower than 5 decrees celsius outside. It really starts using 30% more energy between 0 and 5 degrees celsius.

[@SimpleTek]

one has to weight the best material vs the cost of the material sometimes. sometimes the best stuff isn't affordable

[@americanmanstan2381]

Is this what you'd use if you had a place in the mountains, off grid? I'm not sure what kind of energy I'd use. I know of a guy whose solar panels were destroyed by lightning.

[@SimpleTek]

Maybe

[@americanmanstan2381]

@@SimpleTek Maybe. Pls advise what else you had in mind and I'll look it up, thanks.

[@bamsebrumbamsebrumen5403]

so what about water in the ground, will it not ruin the efficency?

[@Kris-82]

So, what about bacterias and germs in the pipe? Since there will be some water condensation I believe it's kind of issue, right? There is no such problem with water heat pumps.

[@SimpleTek]

It doesn’t go into the house, so who cares?

[@Kris-82]

@@SimpleTek Sorry, but can't agree. Through analogy car AC has same tunnels and similar working conditions and you have to from time to time clean all the ducts (usually by ozoning process). Believe me you don't want to breath this stuff

[@SimpleTek]

@@Kris-82 your opinion

[@Buciasda33]

@@Kris-82 in the case of a mini split (with the sole exception of Daikin Ururu Sarara) the outside air stays outside. There is no air exchange. And you also did a bad analogy with the car's AC because that's designed to take outside air with the exception of Tesla Nuclear Defense Mode or whatever is called. Regular cars will draw some amount of outside air regardless of your settings.

[@Kris-82]

@@SimpleTek I think over entire system once again and you're right. This issue do not exist, sorry for confusion. I would have other question - since you pump the air through ground using A/C fan does this corrugated pipe makes sense? Doesn't it restrict the flow? I understand that the pipe must have specific diameter according to it's length, right? BTW I think it's awesome idea to avoid heat pump costs as you said.

[@robertmoran3589]

Yes I absolutely can see how this works. About 75% of my installs are ducted mini splits. I try to have my customers understand the benefits and differences of a mini split system. I absolutely do not like geothermal heat pump systems because they use glycol as the heat exchange. What I really like is your only using underground air temperature as a heat exchange this could be a game changer if the right people see this. FYI you can install a DC powers fan and a AC to DC inverter this cutting the power consumption a little bit more.

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@johnwyman6126]

Have you tried this yourself? And how did it work? A better option may be, instead of using air tubes and powering fans, just bypass the condenser, by burying a long coil of copper or stainless tubing and run the refrigerant tubes directly in the ground. A cheap to rent or hire mini excavator would probably be big enough to make the narrow trench needed. If you run into groundwater, all the better!

[@SimpleTek]

Copper is expensive!

[@johnwyman6126]

@SimpleTek And so is stainless steel, but electricity is much more expensive over time. Still, I think a roll of 100 to 200 feet of 3/8 inch tubing, refrigerant, and mini ex rental would cost much less than 1000 feet of corrugated pipe, fans, insulated box for the air system, and large excavator rental you're talking about.

[@trance0able]

This won't work if the external unit is in a box unless the box is very large. The ventilator on the external unit needs at least two meter clearance from the nearest obstacle to work properly.

[@SimpleTek]

yes it's can't be tight

[@ajarivas72]

What about using hot water from the boilers for the heat exchange?

[@SimpleTek]

@@ajarivas72 it’s an air system

[@ajarivas72]

@@SimpleTek It´s a great system. I want to implement the water system also

[@SimpleTek]

@@ajarivas72 the water system is more efficient but more expensive

[@gsmboutiqueable]

Genius

[@iamtmckendry]

tryin to find kardashian vlog, but too many people liking geotherman food stuff and cant find my big booty content so unfair what is this

[@SimpleTek]

Life isn’t fair!

[@garyherberson8119]

Interesting theory but i assume just theory? You have yet to build one?

[@SimpleTek]

I was about to install this fall, bought all the parts but the backhoe I rented failed, it's going in next summer now. But Russ Finch has been using it for 20 plus years now

[@jadenamber8378]

This sounds interesting, but I'm just not that handy. Is there a legit installer in Ontario I can talk to who would install a system like this? I'd gladly trade a little of the efficiency of water-based systems for a substantial up-front installation savings.

[@SimpleTek]

I wish I could help but I’m in Manitoba

[@jadenamber8378]

@@SimpleTek got it - thanks for the quick response. So here's a high level follow-up question: We've got ample rooms/basement spaces, including a 12'x12' closed "cold storage room" where the oil tank is. Couldn't I simply use that room as the "box" and run the air hoses into that (perhaps insulate it) and put two air collector units that run to the heat pumps? If I approached an HVAC company would they be able to install such a system?

[@SimpleTek]

@@jadenamber8378 maybe?

[@junkmail4613]

Narrator, Very difficult to listen to your rendition. Strange emphasis along with the herky-jerky start-stop reading. It would be a lot more useful if you read like you were reading from a book, rather than trying to sell it from a sales brochure that you were unfamiliar with.

[@SimpleTek]

Some people like robots, some humans

[@raydreamer7566]

I have been schooling people in the Philippines to do this BUT not with air. There is no BIG " O " pipe in the Philippines. To install a small car rad in front the outside heat exchange rad with a fan blowing through the rad into the heat exchanger rad. The fan and circulating pump will be controlled by the outside unite turning on and off . Your heat pump system can ether power your new geo system or you can supply a new power source and have a relay turn the electric power system of your heat pump turn the geo system on and off.. Very simple to install. If your back yard is small do not dig up your yard just dig a deep circle hole to accommodate a coil of 1 inch pipe as it comes coiled as new. Too easy. Ask if you want to know more. I lovee learning videos like this .

[@SimpleTek]

Thank you!!!

[@objektivone3209]

I have read that the noise level gets on people's nerves and that the neighbors complain about it.

[@matsv201]

A modern air source heat pump is fairly quiet. The one i got i can hardly hear when I walk around the corner.

[@SimpleTek]

do your neighbours have issues with air conditioners? similar noise

[@searlearnold2867]

Most Mini splits are very quiet and as such, are used on apartment/ hotel projects and are designed to not disturb the neighbors. If you are purchasing, ask for a db rating.

[@JoeA1974]

Where's yours? All I see is a bunch of stock footage of other people building stuff and working without you or a demonstration of this imaginary system you propose. You've been doing this for awhile, why wouldn't you film every step of this last build and demonstrate it? I know why.

[@SimpleTek]

I bought all the tubes and stuff this fall, and then the backhoe I rented broke.. so it goes in next spring/summer now. As I get excavators a few times a year for installing holding tanks at my resort and I’m too cheap to rent one for a single purpose

[@kevinh21labs]

Wow. It sounds to me like renting an excavator for $300 and saving $200 a month on heating electric bills just makes sense. But I'm sure you know what's best for you so no lectures for me. Thanks for the video.

[@mariusm3595]

LOL 😂😂😂

[@SimpleTek]

?

[@mikemotorbike4283]

Intro Waaay to long, nip it off short bud

[@SimpleTek]

I agree but if the video is less than 8 mins KZbin puts less ads and I make 1/2 the money

[@onlyscience7120]

A 4-ton geothermal unit cost $3,800 or about the same as a mini-split of the same size, just a bad idea.

[@SimpleTek]

love to know where you get your stuff

[@veenlopertje5532]

This is not simple. If you want to upgreat the start air temperture......use the warmth of the room. Jmtc

[@SimpleTek]

Idiot

[@veenlopertje5532]

@@SimpleTek he....so pitty your reaction. Better reaction and aprisiated is explaining why that shoot not work. Is it so strange if you want to ingrese the temperture arround the unit by your idea . Insteat to make a trange ect, to connect the isolated box with warm air from the house?

[@SimpleTek]

@@veenlopertje5532 why waste time on idiots?

[@veenlopertje5532]

@@SimpleTek thank youbso mutch for your reaction. Teĺls us a lot aboutb you. Have a nice life

[@SimpleTek]

@@veenlopertje5532 nice try trying to take the high road. Didn’t work, You’re still an idiot.

[@billsmith5166]

Absolutely will not work. Corrugated that long won't move air with the fans referenced, and almost nothing will. There is way too much turbulence caused by the ribs. The Air Heat Pump will take any warm air that does trickle through the corrugated pipe and remove the heat, exhausting super cold air after the heat is removed. This will almost immediately cause the air in the box to become even colder than the air OUTSIDE of the box unless it's vented with a hole as large as the grate on the outdoor unit. This will cause negative air pressure in the box that won't be satisfied by the almost stagnant air in the buried pipes and air will be forced backwards through the fan from outside of the box causing cavitation, and reduced air flow through the exchanger, so it's efficiency will be nil. It will also cause premature fan failure in the heat pump. If the presenter thinks that it's a great idea, he needs to build one and have the testing done by an independent party, not some hack that's trying to trick you with magic. Let's see it working.

[@SimpleTek]

I guess you should contact Russ Finch then, he’s been using it for over 20 years successfully

[@billsmith5166]

@@SimpleTek I've been looking for his. Maybe you could point me to a video of his magic. As great as this is, there must be thousands of examples out there.

[@SimpleTek]

@@billsmith5166 look up “citrus in the snow”

[@billsmith5166]

@@SimpleTek I don't think that's the video. There was nothing about heat pumps or little fans.

[@SimpleTek]

@@billsmith5166 look harder

[@Buciasda33]

WTF. Dude, if you're digging out your garden you might as well install the proper heat pump for the job. 2nd thing is that you didn't show us your heat pump installation. You should have 2 similar heat pumps and show the energy consumptions and heat output. Let's talk numbers. I want results before digging out a fucking graveyard. And the insulated box for the outdoor unit takes the cake. I saw a post, someone bought a heat pump designed for pools and had to install it inside the house and he was talking about improved efficiency, LoL. Looking at you're video I kind of imagine you turning a room into a freezer and still talk about efficiency like that guy did.

[@SimpleTek]

Omg maybe you should be making these videos since you know soo much lol

[@Buciasda33]

@@SimpleTek yeah, I should...