On Mar 5, 5:57 pm, "Zephyr" an address @ some place .com wrote:
Hey group,

I'm contemplating going to Geo Thermal heat,
I've talked to a couple different installers and they say that I need 400
amp service to do this.
this would be split into 2 200 amp boxes, one for the geo and accessories,
(which qualify for a lower rate) and 1 for the rest of the house.

currently I have 2 meters on the house 1st is a 150 amp service and the
second is an interruptible service meter for my AC unit.
( I am in SE Michigan, use DTE energy)

If I need to go to 400 amp service is it as simple as having both meters
replaced with larger 200 amp units?
or would new wire need to be pulled from the road? a quick call to DTE
resulted in an

"I don't know, We've done geo therm before and never had to put in new
wire, but, I don't know everything"

Dave
i dont know. but: the electricians know your loads for the new pumps.
perhaps your new heating unit has auxilliary electric heat or air
conditioning and needs more electricity.
maybe you also need to consider a natural gas generator for emergency
hookup with an additional panel and auto disconnect.
code determines how many drops per type of dewlling/structure.
and you can't put in a service main panel any larger than the existing
service wires.
there is a hidden extra cost of each monthly meter charge in buffalo
ny around $16 per month.
as in buffalo, you have winter. in our climate be careful. if you
underestimate for energy efficiency, estimates of btu's required to
quickly reheat your home on a windchill day by many energy efficiency
calculations could be too chilly for too long.
these systems you may want to have control over could use lots of
zoning and temperature sensors if you want to see how the system is
working and to help pinpoint problems.
at the very least i'd want monitoring temperature gauges and indicator
lights for the running pumps. and show me underground water temp in
and out, and home zone temp in and out.