(Body Text) The facts - we currently have a failing, air-source heat pump. There are two components to an air-source heat pump: the outside compressor and the inside air handler. Our house is 19 years old. The compressor was replaced ten years ago when the system was 9 years old for about $3500. The air handler is original, and has been leaking and making a terrible racket for several years. We've spent over $1500 in the last five years trying to keep the air handler limping along until the compressor failed. At 10-years-old, the compressor is now failing.
The primary reason for doing this diary is because when I was researching geothermal heat pumps, I couldn't find any information as to what to expect during the whole process - from start to finish. I was warned that getting a geothermal was messy, very messy. I thought I was prepared.
Hopefully, when others decide to go green, after reading this diary, they'll understand this whole process better, and find it as fascinating as I have.
(List style sample) Some of our cost crunching included: