Heat Pumps and Electric Home Heating - Electric Thermal Storage
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remskm
02-13-05, 09:28 AM
I Live In An Area Of Southwest Colorado That Offers The Option Of Off Peak Rate Usage Of Electricity To "charge" Electric Thermal Storage Heaters That Will Cycle Off (as Far As Consumption Is Concerned) During Peak Hours And, At Least Theoretically, Slowly Release The Stored Heat Throughout The Day. I Am Considering Getting One (as Off Peak Rates Are About 1/3 Of Peak), But Have No Experience With Them. Does Anyone Out There Use This System And, If So, What's Your Overall Satisfaction (or Not) With It.
mattison
02-14-05, 05:21 AM
I've never heard of this. Do you have a web site that explaines it better??
remskm
02-14-05, 06:38 AM
Go to www.steffes.com for detailed info. They're the manufacturer of ETS equipment I am considering getting.
mattison
02-14-05, 09:02 AM
I'd have to do some more research before reccomending something like that. Looks like you're adding another restriction to the system, taking up a lot of space, and what would the payback be on this thing.
mattison
02-14-05, 09:09 AM
We are back to normal now. I'm sure you will get the feed back you are looking for.
scottg
02-16-05, 04:11 PM
I have no experience with these units.
But if I got this right.
The unit heats up a ceramic brick during off peak hours.
Then when the thermostat calls for heat it distributes heat from the bricks.
I think that I know how it works in theory but I would like to ask what type of heat you currently have.
Another concern that I have is what happens to the heat that is stored.
Is the unit constantly radiating heat and cycled with a thermostat.
Her in my area with a digital thermostat the temperature is kept to a 1-2 degree swing.
So that means that the proposed unit ETC would not cycle on very much.
I also looked at the weight for the unit for a heat pump and it was 1500 pounds. That is way way too heavy for me to install.
it would have to be on the ground not above a crawl space or room.
But if I got this right.
The unit heats up a ceramic brick during off peak hours.
Then when the thermostat calls for heat it distributes heat from the bricks.
I think that I know how it works in theory but I would like to ask what type of heat you currently have.
Another concern that I have is what happens to the heat that is stored.
Is the unit constantly radiating heat and cycled with a thermostat.
Her in my area with a digital thermostat the temperature is kept to a 1-2 degree swing.
So that means that the proposed unit ETC would not cycle on very much.
I also looked at the weight for the unit for a heat pump and it was 1500 pounds. That is way way too heavy for me to install.
it would have to be on the ground not above a crawl space or room.
remskm
02-16-05, 05:13 PM
Scott,
The unit I am interested in is a "room unit", 5.4 Kw on a 30A circuit. It weighs, with the ceramic bricks, 376 lbs. It will be used only for a 400 sq. ft. addition. At that weight it should not be a problem where I plan to locate it and the area underneath in the crawlspace is easily accessible for reinforcing if needed.
I currently have propane heat and current price here is about 1.70/gal. The off peak electric rates I can get here are .035/kwh. I did a cost comparison at www.warmair.net and at those rates the electric heat would cost 1/3 of the propane (comparing fuel required to generate 100,000 btu's of heat). The ETS unit would cost about 800.00, but I should be able to recoup that in about 2 seasons given the fuel cost savings. Off peak hours here are 11:00 p.m. to 7 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and, yes, the unit would charge during those hours for release during peak. It would also discharge as it is charging as dictated by the thermostat settings. It's my understanding that the unit would cycle on/off constantly to maintain the setting. Whether there would be enough "charge" to last until the next off peak time period, I don't know (the salesperson at the co-op assures me there would be). The unit is controlled by a timer and could not come on during peak even if fully discharged. I realize there would be addtional electrical usage for the blower, but it should be minimal (I believe the data said the blower operates in a 60 to 100 watt range).
The unit I am interested in is a "room unit", 5.4 Kw on a 30A circuit. It weighs, with the ceramic bricks, 376 lbs. It will be used only for a 400 sq. ft. addition. At that weight it should not be a problem where I plan to locate it and the area underneath in the crawlspace is easily accessible for reinforcing if needed.
I currently have propane heat and current price here is about 1.70/gal. The off peak electric rates I can get here are .035/kwh. I did a cost comparison at www.warmair.net and at those rates the electric heat would cost 1/3 of the propane (comparing fuel required to generate 100,000 btu's of heat). The ETS unit would cost about 800.00, but I should be able to recoup that in about 2 seasons given the fuel cost savings. Off peak hours here are 11:00 p.m. to 7 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and, yes, the unit would charge during those hours for release during peak. It would also discharge as it is charging as dictated by the thermostat settings. It's my understanding that the unit would cycle on/off constantly to maintain the setting. Whether there would be enough "charge" to last until the next off peak time period, I don't know (the salesperson at the co-op assures me there would be). The unit is controlled by a timer and could not come on during peak even if fully discharged. I realize there would be addtional electrical usage for the blower, but it should be minimal (I believe the data said the blower operates in a 60 to 100 watt range).
Ed Imeduc
02-19-05, 04:58 PM
Ok you went to warmair and compared fuel cost electric over the LP. Id say its like in MO. All we sell are heat pumps over any oil are LP. So why all this other units to store electric and all??????
I d just put in a heat pump . They also have a discount cut off that can help save you $$$ on the power Dont know if they have it there.Are go DX Geo in the ground
I think this is some thing more just like all the hot rocks salt set ups. Power from freon by solar this sound new have to run it down :eek:
I d just put in a heat pump . They also have a discount cut off that can help save you $$$ on the power Dont know if they have it there.Are go DX Geo in the ground
I think this is some thing more just like all the hot rocks salt set ups. Power from freon by solar this sound new have to run it down :eek: