Connellsville

Can't really attribute increase last 3 months to any change in usage. We keep temp. constant at 67 Oct. thru March and 76 during summer months (VERY COMFORTABLY COOL). The hotter or cooler it is outside the better the unit works. Lowest bill ever was $180 a few years ago during fall and highest $489 during winter. SMECO sometimes does estimated bills. Avg. bill past year $315.

Our geo is a Water Furnace 6 ton horizontal loop with 3 zone thermostats that was installed 11 years ago when we built our house. Would like more savings but I am totally pleased with the unit's performance. These units are supposed to last 25 years or more.

Tri-County Aire in Mechanicsville installed ours but their service personnel are not as good as they used to be so we changed to Continental HVAC in Calvert Co. Continental said a new unit only would cost $13,000 now.

Thanks so much for your great response regarding the geothermal system. The information you provided was really helpful. Do you attribute the $100/month increase over the last 3 months to the fact that the temperatures were getting colder, so you were using more electricity to heat the house? Or do you think the rates went up, and that caused the increase? What are your summer bills like to keep the house at 67? Who did your installation? Are you happy with the system to the point that you would make the same choice if you had it to do again? I really appreciate your input. I have done a ton of research, and it all sounds good - I am just trying to round up some data or anecdotal evidence from people in the local climate before I take this plunge. The oil is crazy expensive, and horrible for the environment - I really want to get rid of it, but I want to be smart about a new system. Thank you again for the response!