Geothermal?

Anyone have experience installing geothermal in a Brooklyn Brownstone? Would love ideas for contractors, experiences, advice. Thank you!

518c

in Heating and Cooling 4 years and 5 months ago

21

Please log in, in order to post replies!

21 replies

Newest Oldest

silas | 3 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5135 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5123 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "180761"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "silas"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BjYEKSP.aRZ3h16.ditnYTyTmh/Gii/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "silas"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(13) "bm571@nyu.edu"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:06:38"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "silas"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(180761)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

@eman137 I don’t mean just in the front yard, I mean running from the front yard under the house through to the back yard. The guy in the linked article only did 85-foot trenches, and most lots here are about 18×100. Of course he needed 4 trenches and only got a 3-ton system out of it so… probably not feasible here. 🙂

chemosphere | 3 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5134 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5133 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "180501"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "chemosphere"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bym7xqSisQdtaWFx8p2q7DWXNAtg0D/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "chemosphere"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "jg@jacobgarchik.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:09:44"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "chemosphere"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(180501)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

FWIW they have a recently installed geothermal system at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and it was broken all summer. 🙂

Guest User | 3 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "201692"

Silas…yeah that was a goofy prt of the article…i think that they meant depth to reach an acquirer…what you describe is actually in use. Its called a slinky horizontal installation….if you look up the specs, you need a much larger area than a brownstone front yard
http://www.geojerry.com/Naeemsslinkyearthloopinstallation.html

silas | 3 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5137 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5138 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "180761"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "silas"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BjYEKSP.aRZ3h16.ditnYTyTmh/Gii/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "silas"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(13) "bm571@nyu.edu"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:06:38"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "silas"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(180761)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

That 2014 article says “the geothermal well, … will be 1,600-feet deep… Geothermal wells, … need to be deep enough into the earth’s crust to tap energy to heat and cool the building”

That is NOT my understanding of how ground-source heat pumps actually work. You don’t need to pierce through the earth’s crust (!), you just need to run refrigerant through the ground deep enough that it stays fairly warm during the winter (which starts at about FOUR feet below the surface).

This interests me greatly… that NYC feasibility site, which is new to me, says that my home is suitable for a geothermal well. But obviously this never happens. I wonder if you could do something like, put a mechanical room in the front of the basement, and run a trench through into the backyard, and loop the piping through? Shame people haven’t figured this out yet.

dindy | 3 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5139 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5140 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "182335"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "dindy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B9qlNczojkyN0ZAkDZs5fg0c41wke8/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "dindy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "lslwr357@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:47:23"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "dindy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(182335)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks, a friend had suggested horizontal as well. I had reached out to Dandeliion, but they are not working in Brooklyn yet. The architects consultant says it is not feasible yet.
I appreciate your support and interest.

lucie | 3 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5135 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5146 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "194922"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "lucie"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BnxUVBj0roT9u6qQGxyoZWmmtvGtSM0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "lucie"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(28) "lucie@mischievousgoddess.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:10:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(43) "Lucie Hélène Lucie Hélène"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(194922)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Yes, half an acre. More then enough space. Direct access from the street. From what I read about the subject it is indeed a very good candidate.
I even sent a survey copy and an aeral to some companies.
City also does not help with all those restrictions and permits even when it could work.
Homeowners in gramercy park obviously had to go vertical. But sometimes homeowners have enough space for a horisontal loop, still the cost is not for an average folks in fees and permits.

Guest User | 3 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "201692"

chemo….the example in gramercy park was done in front of a row house….. they had to get all permits and clearances from the city….they also needed to drill down 1500 feet which took five weeks of nonstop drilling much to the chagrin of their neighbors. An acquantince of mine who does geothermal near Oneata is trying to get the city interested in setting up a geothermal infrastructure which individual homeowners could tap into, much like the gas system that now exists….how far he will get, i don’t know

MDR | 3 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4856 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4854 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "170560"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(3) "MDR"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$ByExk3BzJ1aTCBvEcnpSAHe1VHrjYB0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(3) "mdr"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "jtkoelbel@verizon.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(18) "/forums/users/mdr/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:24:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(3) "MDR"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(170560)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Heat pumps are a good way to use less fossil fuel. Geothermal is a ground source heat pump system. Air source heat pump systems like the common ductless split system have become much more efficient, better able to work in cold weather, cheaper, easier to maintain, etc.- so there are now few occasions where geothermal makes sense.

chemosphere | 3 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5136 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5130 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "180501"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "chemosphere"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bym7xqSisQdtaWFx8p2q7DWXNAtg0D/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "chemosphere"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "jg@jacobgarchik.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:09:44"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "chemosphere"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(180501)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Can one theoretically do this in front of a row house? Is that what the 2014 article shows – it’s a little unclear? Also why would landmarking be an issue, if it’s all underground once it’s done?

Guest User | 3 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "201692"

Olga…It should be fairly obvious why geothermal is so expensive in NYC…. Space constraints… as well as all of the endless permitting and paperwork. There are also far fewer drilling rigs in the area. That said, your property in Staten Island sounds ideal. Is there enough land to do a slinky installation which would eliminate the need for a drilling rig

lucie | 3 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5142 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4864 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "194922"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "lucie"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BnxUVBj0roT9u6qQGxyoZWmmtvGtSM0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "lucie"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(28) "lucie@mischievousgoddess.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:10:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(43) "Lucie Hélène Lucie Hélène"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(194922)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Why it is so expensive in NYC comparing to upstate?
We moved to Staten Island north and have a large property with enough space to put geothermal, with easy access to this area for digging equipment, etc.
I have talked to several contractors from Long Island and upstate.
All of them either do not want to come to NYC ( licensing issues?) or throw around some crazy 6 digit numbers.
At the same time it looks like building geothermal system for 2000 sf house is around 20-25K upstate.

hasibur.rahman07 | 3 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5134 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4863 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "193777"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(16) "hasibur.rahman07"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bsaw5CO31JqBHatsqn.rMKRsczt9tJ."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(16) "hasibur-rahman07"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(26) "hasibur.rahman07@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:54:29"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(29) "hasibur rahman hasibur rahman"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(193777)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Done a while back.

RobertGMarvin

in Heating and Cooling 3 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "2"
object(WP_User)#5134 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5149 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(3) "779"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "RobertGMarvin"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "RobertGMarvin"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(40) "64df18426207ddf12f1789eba7eabd04a9c3f615"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 18:03:45"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "Bob Marvin"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(779)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

A 2014 article—I wonder if it’s finished by now?

hasibur.rahman07 | 3 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4849 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5147 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "193777"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(16) "hasibur.rahman07"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bsaw5CO31JqBHatsqn.rMKRsczt9tJ."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(16) "hasibur-rahman07"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(26) "hasibur.rahman07@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:54:29"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(29) "hasibur rahman hasibur rahman"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(193777)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

LPC approved it. Since she spent $500,000 hippopotamus bar, I’m sure the 250K spent on geothermal was nothing

Guest User | 3 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "201692"

Geothermal has been done in nyc but generally for uberwealthy or larger projects
For example
https://www.businessinsider.com/gramercy-park-residents-freaking-out-2014-9

RobertGMarvin

in Heating and Cooling 3 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "2"
object(WP_User)#5151 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5152 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(3) "779"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "RobertGMarvin"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "RobertGMarvin"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(40) "64df18426207ddf12f1789eba7eabd04a9c3f615"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 18:03:45"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "Bob Marvin"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(779)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

According to that online tool geothermal is feasible on my 20’ X 100’ lot. I doubt that feasibility equates to practicability though. I don’t think that the LPC would allow anything in my front areaway and I can’t imagine that digging machinery could get to my back yard.

dindy | 3 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5145 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5150 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "182335"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "dindy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B9qlNczojkyN0ZAkDZs5fg0c41wke8/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "dindy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "lslwr357@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:47:23"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "dindy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(182335)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thank you. Was helpful to get that information.

Guest User | 3 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "201692"

Use the nyc geothermal feasibility tool to check out your property
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/ddc/geothermal/geothermalTool.html

gwan | 4 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4849 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4856 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "178814"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(4) "gwan"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B2mLKO76qrUcfvP1iZr91BKqL81J5n/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(4) "gwan"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "joshsmasters@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(19) "/forums/users/gwan/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:36:08"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(4) "gwan"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(178814)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I’ve been wondering, what if an entire block got together on a project like this? Or a row of houses, at least? Maybe that could make it feasible (if significantly more challenging to arrange)