Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - Heat pump: 2 stage vs single stage
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homeowner21
09-12-07, 06:20 AM
We are building a new home in SE TN and I am not sure what type of heat pump to install. We are talking to a Bryant dealer and he is recommending the top of the line 2 stage Evolution series (18 SEER, 9.0 HSPF). He states that this will be more economical and give better heat/AC distribution becasue the sytem won't be cycling on and off. The building contractor on the other hand only priced out for a standard "hight efficiency" sytem stating that this is all we will need. The Bryant Preferred series (15 Seer, 8.5 HSPF) meets this requirement. The house should be very well insulated and tight using spray on foam insulation, so that should not be an issue. What I don't want is a house that always feel hot in the summer or cold in the winter, like the house we live in now, even with a new Amana (gas furnace and AC system) system. Is is worth paying another $6000 for the better system?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
airman.1994
09-12-07, 11:25 AM
If you will be using spray foam Id go two stage with a heat recovery ventilator. You might find that you will still need a dehumidifier. The two stage will remove more moisture which you will need in a tight home. The heat recovery unit will bring in out side air which you will need in a tight home.
Ed Imeduc
09-12-07, 09:34 PM
Id go for the seer unit that will give you a Seer of 15 and a HSPF of 8.05 On the heatpump . What you do want for sure is a Blower unit that has the V/S blower in it. This will have a humidistat control in it that will slow the blower down if need be to pull more humidity out of the home for you. Also you wont hear or know when the blower comes on or goes off. Make sure they run a heat loss and a AC load on the home.
Jay11J
09-13-07, 05:42 AM
I'm for the two stage as well, With the home having foam, MANY dealer "Oversize" cuz they freak out on how much you can really save when they see the Manual J, and worry that they are going to undersize.
Where the two stage will run longer in first stage giving all the rooms the comfort. Otherwise, if you go single stage, and some how the dealer ignors the Manual J, then you have an oversized system.
Where the two stage will run longer in first stage giving all the rooms the comfort. Otherwise, if you go single stage, and some how the dealer ignors the Manual J, then you have an oversized system.