DIY Geothermal Ground Loop: How Much Can You Really Save?

Geothermal quotes often run 20,000 to 40,000 dollars, but the buried pipe is only one part of the bill. In this video we break down what a geothermal quote is made of, how much of it a DIY ground loop can really save, and why the most dangerous part of the project is the trench, not the plumbing. What we cover: The four costs inside a geothermal quote Horizontal vs vertical loops Why loop length is a design, not a number to copy Soil conductivity and why wet vs dry soil matters Heat pump sizing and Manual J load calculations HDPE heat fusion, pressure testing, and glycol Ground source vs cold climate air source heat pumps Incentives, licensing, and what the cheap headline leaves out A step by step order to follow before you buy any pipe Trench safety warning: trenches 5 feet deep or more can collapse and require sloping, shoring, or a trench box. Call 811 before you dig. This video is general information, not engineering advice. Consult a licensed professional for your specific project. Note: the federal 30 percent residential geothermal tax credit ended for installations after December 31, 2025. Check the IRS site and your state for current incentives. If you have the land, would you hire the whole job, hire only the excavation, or dig it yourself? Tell me in the comments with your state. New video every day on Passive House Technology. #geothermal #heatpump #passivehouse