Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - Geothermal or electric heat pump?
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Geothermal or electric heat pump?
metis23
02-04-07, 09:36 AM
We are building a new 2000 square foot rancher. We think a heat pump sounds like an effecient way to heat and cool the house year round. We will have a fire burning stove as back up/support. As I read through the many questions/comments about this way of heating I become increasingly concerned when I see so many issues.
1) Does your experience indicate that heat pumps are better or compatible for RELIABILITY in comparison to the traditional electric or gas furnace?
2)Do you feel the geothermal ground unit would have any more "issues = involving repair/breakdown" than an above ground electric heat pump?
Your thoughts are much appreaciated.
1) Does your experience indicate that heat pumps are better or compatible for RELIABILITY in comparison to the traditional electric or gas furnace?
2)Do you feel the geothermal ground unit would have any more "issues = involving repair/breakdown" than an above ground electric heat pump?
Your thoughts are much appreaciated.
GregH
02-04-07, 10:31 AM
Heat pumps are very efficient but the type you use will depend on where you live.
If you are in a moderate climate where the average winter temperatures are not much below freezingan air/air heat pump might pay, especially if you use a domestic hot water pre-heater.
In colder climates ground water heat pumps are really your only viable heat pump choice.
Whether either of these are worthwhile would depend on where you live, what your present heat source is and its annual cost and how long a payback you would be happy with.
In our cold climate groundwater heat pumps are encouraged by our utility but I am unsure of how they factor in the eventual high replacement costs of the equipment.
What are the details of your heat source, present operating costs and aproximate location?
If you are in a moderate climate where the average winter temperatures are not much below freezingan air/air heat pump might pay, especially if you use a domestic hot water pre-heater.
In colder climates ground water heat pumps are really your only viable heat pump choice.
Whether either of these are worthwhile would depend on where you live, what your present heat source is and its annual cost and how long a payback you would be happy with.
In our cold climate groundwater heat pumps are encouraged by our utility but I am unsure of how they factor in the eventual high replacement costs of the equipment.
What are the details of your heat source, present operating costs and aproximate location?
metis23
02-04-07, 10:48 AM
Where we will be building heating/cooling costs are high - as it is a small independent company. It is in the Interior of BC, Canada - it can go down to -40 degrees during winter . For 6 months of the year we will be below freezing to -40. I think the average Fall/Winter temperture would be about 0(freezing) to -20ish. The flip is summers are super hot - an easy 20 - 30 (up to 40)degrees daily for 3 months.
When we relocate to Princeton, BC it will be our last home - so we plan on being in this home a good 30 -40 years.
We do not mind paying upfront costs, but do not want to be in a situation where operating/maintaining costs become unmanageable.
When we relocate to Princeton, BC it will be our last home - so we plan on being in this home a good 30 -40 years.
We do not mind paying upfront costs, but do not want to be in a situation where operating/maintaining costs become unmanageable.
Ed Imeduc
02-04-07, 11:05 AM
Im with GregH Its all in where you live. Will you stay in the home for a longtime. Is it worth the $$$ and how long will it take to get a return on the $$$.
Also how is the ground around you to put like pipes in the ground? Then if you go well to well how hard is the water? Whats cost to keep everything clean. Closed water loop, Motor running all the time. So you have the Geothermal pump. That works on say ground heat from water . Then you have the GeothermakDX now that works with the freon lines down in the ground. Any and all will have a electric back up heat in them. Then you have the air to air, cost a lot less. Some units now have a SEER of 17.90 and a HSPF 10.55.
Like said: Where are you and how cold for how long is it there. Also go to http://warmair.net and compare fuel cost for where you live.
Here in Missouri about all the we sell here and install are air to air heatpumps. This winter it has got down to 9F. They say a wind chill of -6F for to night.
There is a lot to think about on a new home ;)
Also how is the ground around you to put like pipes in the ground? Then if you go well to well how hard is the water? Whats cost to keep everything clean. Closed water loop, Motor running all the time. So you have the Geothermal pump. That works on say ground heat from water . Then you have the GeothermakDX now that works with the freon lines down in the ground. Any and all will have a electric back up heat in them. Then you have the air to air, cost a lot less. Some units now have a SEER of 17.90 and a HSPF 10.55.
Like said: Where are you and how cold for how long is it there. Also go to http://warmair.net and compare fuel cost for where you live.
Here in Missouri about all the we sell here and install are air to air heatpumps. This winter it has got down to 9F. They say a wind chill of -6F for to night.
There is a lot to think about on a new home ;)