Recommendations on HVAC for new construction

Sigarms · Mar 24, 2007

Depending on electric rates of course, first thought would be a 14 SEER R410 heat pump system with a 80% variable speed two stage LP furnace. Heat pump would run say till it's 35 degrees outside for heat (with R410A you get a higher discharge temperature), gets REALLY cold outside, you then have your lp furnace for back up heat (again, need to look at the cost comparison between LP and electric if this is "worthwhile").

With a ranch and the sq footage, do you have a basement (equipment location)?

Think about wrapping your duct, not lining it.

May also want to think about zoning.

Can't beat hydronic heat, only issue is you still have to bring in the A/C (if you need it) and costs more money.

Honestly, in our area, that quote you got for GeoThermal isn't bad.

davemhughes, look at a continuous hot water heater, may be worth your time.

Nissan197 · Apr 6, 2007

Well, about $24K for a 5 ton earth source heat pump with dual capacity compressor and variable speed fan (Horizontal closed loop system). Also would have zone control system with 4 zones.

Little less money - $16K - Evolution series heat pump rated at 57.500 BTU/HR with a total cooling SEER of 15.50. Also would have the zone control system.

Of course each one would come with other things such as damper control, auxilary heat package, air intakes, bath fan vents, supply outlets, etc. I am sure I could lose a couple thousand on the price of the heat pump due to numerous options listed on it.

8 - 10 K more to go the geothermal route. Is it really worth it? I would really love the geothermal and I think it would be great, but that is really going to get me to the top end of my budget. I am going with the spray foam insulation and housewrap so I am not sure if going the cheaper route would be good enough. Of course like usual when you ask people you get replies that will usually be 50% say go with geo and the other 50% say go the cheaper route. This is one tuff decision....

kmdigital · Apr 6, 2007

Your choice, but the payback sucks! Probably longer than you will live at that house, and maybe longer than you will live period, depending on your age! Your dream house doesn't mean much if you the payments are so big you can't afford it or go broke trying.

cp1969 · Apr 6, 2007

Go with air-to-air heat pumps and spend some of the savings on extra insulation. I am currently running two heat pumps in a 3400 sf all electric house and the average electric bill is $140.

I cranked the numbers on geo vs air-to-air and came up with something like a 14 year payback. Not worth it.

edit: I want to emphasize that the best money spent is on insulation, not efficiency.

jejeosborne · Apr 6, 2007

Nissan197

I have the same Evolution unit you had priced except my is the Carrier brand and called the Infinity. Both units are the same. I love my system and I think you would be happy with it. They have a two stage heat pump and mine runs on the first stage for about 80% of the time on heat and cool. The thermostat for these units are incredible. They are like mini computers that monitor everything including duct temps, cfm, and static pressures in every zone. The variable speed blower is the quietest in the industry, you cannot hear it when standing next to it, and ramps up as duct temps incease in heat mode. You can program every imaginable setpoint down to every logic instruction of the system to customize to your taste. It is fun to play with the different settings. You can also control humidity in heat and cool modes separate from temps. You can even control the unit remotely from the web. Research the web and you will find nothing but high praise on these units. Mine is a 2.5 ton on low stage and 5 ton when on high stage.

Here is a link to a great HVAC forum HVAC-Talk: Heating, Air & Refrigeration Discussion - Powered by vBulletin

mike194 · Apr 8, 2007

I live in Fridgid South Dakota, i have a Air flow air source heat pump that is good till about 20 degrees then to back that up i have a 20 KW electric furnace and also have a 9kw boiler for the in floor heat in my basement. this setup cost me around $6000 and for the geotherm it was around 16K and at 3.2 cents a killowatt it would take alot of cold winters to get 10 thousand dollars out of it.

Highbeam · Apr 8, 2007

mike194 said:
I live in Fridgid South Dakota, ... at 3.2 cents a killowattQUOTE]

Holy smokes. 3.2 cents per KWH is a fantastic rate. That's a third of what I pay here in the northwest after all the credits for our dams.

_RaT_ · Apr 9, 2007

mike194 said:
I live in Fridgid South Dakota, i have a Air flow air source heat pump that is good till about 20 degrees then to back that up i have a 20 KW electric furnace and also have a 9kw boiler for the in floor heat in my basement. this setup cost me around $6000 and for the geotherm it was around 16K and at 3.2 cents a killowatt it would take alot of cold winters to get 10 thousand dollars out of it.

I have never heard of electricity that cheap. What are they using to create the power?

Electric Power Monthly - Average Retail Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector, by State

mike194 · Apr 9, 2007

That is what they call the electric heat rate, all the heating in your home is on a seperate meter and is charged at 3.2 cents a kilowatt and then everything else is right around 9 cents a kilowatt.

in the middle of winter i use right around 4000 kilowatts for heating and about 800 kilowatts for everything else.