Dedicated A/C or a Heat Pump Alongside a Gas Furnace?

[techman]

Adding the relatively small cost for a heat pump makes sense. You will have affordable heat spring and fall. If you are not happy, switch to the furnace. All of the talk of geo is nice. I have geo at my house, and have installed two other systems. It is a great system, but as mentioned you will be shelling out quite a bit more money. On average installers charge about double compared to a modern air-air heat pump. You will also have a moderate amount or restoration to your yard after all of the digging. Mine was finished in the early fall and it was not until the following spring/summer that the lawn looked back to normal. While it will save you quite a bit in heating and cooling costs, not everyone is willing to shell out the extra cash for a geo system.

Paul

 

[gordyy]

I live up here in ND where we can get to -30 like stated its not hot air like a fuel oil or a gas furnace coming out but we always recommended people plan on boosting the heat a degree or so and run the fan on low on a continuos basis. Any heat pump sold anymore up here has an outdoor temp sensor and its a mattter of figuring where the drop in payout is your utility costs say that. and a good honeywell electronic thermostat built for the heat pump and what you use for auxiliarry heat is a must. I have put in systems that we hook up to off-peak systems that use heat coils for aux. heat when temp drops, and switch to LP when the off-peak trips. Have also put in heat pumps with a two stage 93% gas furnace with automatic switching to stage the first stage of gas in at a certain temp. then the second when needed

 

[doxford jim]

Hi Guys,

Just noticed this topic and thought I would make a comment as I have both geothermal (Waterfurnace) and propane.

I bought this place seven years ago and it already had the geothermal unit installed ( around 1997 I think). Prior to that they used just a propane furnace for heating in the cold weather. I live in central BC where winter temperatures can go to -40 degrees, though it is more common to be around -30C for the real cold p[eriods.

I have found that the geothermal barely keeps up when in very cold temperatures (it is an in ground system with three coils) and the heat is no where near as cosy as that offered by propane furnace. In my system, both unit sit side by side in the basement and both are connected to the heating / cooling system. During a couple of periods when I had expensive electrical problems with the geothermal system (first fan motor, then circuit board, then lastly starter capacitors and contactor), I was forced to use the propane furnace (older 80% efficiency unit). I found the heat from the propane furnace to be much quicker throughout the house and it made the house feel warmer though the temperature was set the same on the thermostat.

Where I live the electricity charges are getting completely out of control - to the point where I am considering installing a 500 gallon propane tank (or bigger), just to heat the house during the winter. A quick cost comparison shows propane to be favourable at present time but the future ?? I am still on the fence as the cost for the tank install and intial fill will be around $2,000 or more - which will pay for a lot of electricty. The propane fuel is currently from two 100lb bottles outside the house, which have to be manhandled and refilled when empty and last about 6 days per bottle with careful management.

Maybe next year for the propane and this coming winter I will make a study of what the electric bills cost for the heating portion ( winter bill - summer bill etc.). Incidently, we have found that using the electric clothes dryer is a hog for electricity, so we air dry most laundry in the basement on old fashioned clothes lines. Being pensioners, we have to carefully manage our dollars.

Just thought that I would throw this out for general interest.
The house is a two story 2000 sq. ft uptsairs and around 1800 sq.ft basement including double garage (heated).

Thx.

Jim

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Installing a new HVAC is a great time to do an energy audit. Insulation and energy efficient windows and blinds pay back very quickly with modern energy costs. I'm paying the same for heat and AC that I paid in 1996, when I installed my heat pump, despite significant inflation in that time. The difference is new windows, doors, honeycomb blinds and a whole lot of insulation. Don't focus on the SEER number on the heat pump and ignore the energy efficiency of the house.

 

[farmeratheart]

Thanks to all for the replies. We decided to go with the LP gas/heat pump tandem as the "back-up" system to the woodstove for heating. Installation will be in a couple of weeks. I'll report back when we have used the system for awhile.

Thanks again!

Frank

 

[yelbike]

Thanks to all for the replies. We decided to go with the LP gas/heat pump tandem as the "back-up" system to the woodstove for heating. Installation will be in a couple of weeks. I'll report back when we have used the system for awhile.

Thanks again!

Frank

are they installing an outdoor sensor for the thermostat? Even if its an addtional cost, it would be small and definitely worth it.

Btw good choice, you will like it.

 

[lilranch2001]

Thanks to all for the replies. We decided to go with the LP gas/heat pump tandem as the "back-up" system to the woodstove for heating. Installation will be in a couple of weeks. I'll report back when we have used the system for awhile.

Thanks again!
Frank

Can I ask what brand you are going with and why?

 

[bucktaker]

You will be happy with that .....I added a heat pump to my LP gas furnace 7 yrs ago and dropped my propane usage from 1200 gals to less than 500. Of course the electric went up but the price is more stable than lp prices.

 

[farmeratheart]

"are they installing an outdoor sensor for the thermostat? Even if its an addtional cost, it would be small and definitely worth it."

- an outdoor temp sensor was included

"Can I ask what brand you are going with and why? "

- we went with Trane- the local dealer has a very good reputation and came highly recommended

Frank

 

[uglyboywith11fingers]

All I would do is try and educate the home owner. I would also recommend to run the fan on continous low speed. But some customers.......:confused3:....well you know how it goes!!

my neighbor put in new electric furnace with heat pump. he's not happy because the airflow is noisy and it feels drafty. he says the installer set it up on med/high fan speed and told him that's best. I told him to set it to low fan speed during HP operation and higher speed during cold weather... but he won't listen cause he thinks the installer knows best. so he listens to the wind noise coming from the registers and grumbles.

I guess some people just don't have common sense.

Pete