Taking my "plunge" down under...

[seedcorn]

You have back up in wood. Yes, I have a LP furnace that a 2000 watt invertor generator can run. Electric can go out here in sticks. 115 degree feels like whatever the thermostat is set at.....

If they want to be insulted, let them! They over sell those units-not that they aren't good. When it gets cold, it will work any unit. Have a few cords of wood ready for sub zero weather.

Glad u went with closed unit as others really work a well, plus need a place to get rid of a lot of water when you work system.

 

[Smart Red]

It's been a while since I posted about the geo-thermal heating system we have contracted for.

Good news! The horizontal drilling company guys arrived Thursday morning to start boring the five supply lines.

More good news! We sit on a property with plenty of room on all sides (30 acres total) to give them a choice on where to place the supplies.

Bad news! Despite my telling the gang there was a Limestone Quarry way to the west of our land, that seems to be the first choice for drilling. By noon everyone was gone, and the phone call I received late Thursday said the drillers couldn't get more than 4 feet down without hitting limestone. Go figure! Half a city block from a quarry [old and unused] and these professionals were surprised to hit limestone?

Uncertain news! I'm sitting here doubting that I will have my Christmas present (at that price, nothing else can be afforded here) in time for Christmas. I suspect they are gone until after Christmas or perhaps after the new year.

Good news! The weather predicted through the end of next week is a great for this type of work as anyone could expect at this time of year.

Bad news! I don't think they will be here to enjoy the 'moderate' temperatures and get the job done before 'normal' Wisconsin returns.

Good news! When we purchased this land, we decided where to put the house, dug an extra deep basement to compensate for what would have been shorter basement walls because of the sunken living room. With nine feet of concrete walls sitting on for feet of footings the basement digging went down 13 feet without hitting anything other than black dirt. Not even any rocks to mention were dug up here. Then we dug a sump pump hole another 4 feet down below the basement floor and only then started to hit a soft limestone-y sandy mixture that changed color from black dirt to rusty brown.

Bad news! So far the diggers haven't had the same type of luck. Hopefully, they will return and find another site for the system that matches our home site. Could it be that we built on the only spot of land without rock? Holy Glacial drift, Batman! I never thought of that possibility!

 

[thistlebloom]

Yikes! That's a roller coaster! I hope they get moving and don't take a bank holiday.
I am totally jealous of your soil! TOTALLY!

 

[Smart Red]

After the excitement earlier of having the diggers and all their machines arrive Wednesday, set up the drill and start working, we were disappointed once again when their machine broke down and most everyone went away.

The three remaining dug some test holes with their back hoe. Alas, they say all our land is solid limestone and horizontal digging for the heating system is out.

Today, Saturday we sat down to a lunch of homemade corn chowder. When we finished eating, DH looked out the window to see a large flatbed trailer and some new machines. Supposedly, we are going to get a vertical bore system now instead of the horizontal system. This means the contractor will be digging five vertical 'wells' or bore holes down into the water table. This 54 degree water temperature will be used to heat the fluid in our piping, pumped into our heating unit inside, and heat the house. There will be no contact between our system and the water beneath us so there is no danger to the water table.

The bed and cat are here, but we see no sign of people and no truck used to bring the flatbed. We were told "maybe" the newest addition to our project would start on Tuesday. Perhaps the workers are eager enough to start sooner.

I hope, I hope, I hope we will be getting our system soon!

 

[Smart Red]

Today is Tuesday, January 20th. The drilling crew is HERE! They are getting ready to start my bore holes. Not only that, but they said they LOVE limestone and the sooner they hit rock, the better they like it. I expect I have plenty for them to love!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Red, did they say why they like limestone? Maybe it is because it is not granite. Granite is hard. Maybe it is because they like something consistent so they don't have to be worrying about changing bits. I'm guessing it is because it is not exceptionally hard so it is fairly easy to drill through, but since it is rock the hole will stay open and not collapse on them. They don't have to worry about running casing to keep the hole open. Running casing (pipe) is hard work.

Just curious. Thanks.

Forgot to add, glad they are there.

 

[Smart Red]

I'm not sure, @Ridgerunner. The horizontal boring crew didn't like the limestone. Being so hard, it would push their drill bits off a straight line and cause a lot of breakage. These are more well-drillers than anything else.

I suspect you are right about the hole keeping its shape. The stone IS hard, but it is also consistent so once they get going, they know what to expect -- at least until they break through to water.

 

[ninnymary]

What is they hit oil? You'll be rich!

Mary

 

[Smart Red]

What if they hit oil? You'll be rich!

Mary

I fear that if they hit oil, my geothermal system will face another delay. Sigh! Fortunately(?) or unfortunately south-est, central-est Wisconsin isn't known for its many oil wells.

There supposed to be 5 bore holes plus a hole for the manifold that connects the pipes from the bores and sends the fluid into the house unit. I think they finished one bore hole from 12:30 to 2:30. That means they can drill a hole about every two hours. At that rate -- and figuring they will be starting earlier than 12:30 tomorrow -- the drilling should be done in two days.

Finally a light at the end of the tunnel. And really needed. Monday morning it took over 25 minutes to get the aged furnace started and running again. I tried all my tricks, but when I wasn't looking DH tried something that did work. I really want that furnace gone and the new system up and working.

 

[ninnymary]

If it's possible that they may finish drilling in 2 days,when will the entire project be completed?

Mary