heat pump vs propane
Ellen Allard
last year
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Verdius Energy, LLC
last yearlast modified: last yearElmer J Fudd
last yearRelated Discussions
propane heat vs. electric heat
Comments (39)GROUND UP TO U: (vs. in-ground) Since 1980: about 7,ooo btuh [separately in a ditch] in damp clay as described below can be extracted from 52-deg earth with every 500 ft of 3/4" Poly-Black tubing and circulated easily [up to 5-3/4" pipe runs with a header to 1.1/4"] hdpe pipe 160 psi thicker sdr-9 www.geothermal-pipe.com www.flowcenterproducts.com on one 1) 1/6 hp (B&G pl 33) if the loop is ~ 35 degrees (chilled) by/on www.hydro-temp.com (ARKANSAS) a heat-pump, having ~ 18% methanol antifreeze by volume ~20% glycol, for usable(net) output per the following: if at a depth of ~6-to-7ft, lower piping runs (back-in-bottom-of-ditch-tightly-packed) x ditch length of 245 ft, up to 3-pipes in 2ft ditch and on the bottom of the ditch, up to 5 piping runs (2 ditches) on 1) pump 1/6hp damp clay soil, and returns back in same ditch as follows: RETURNS are on top at a depth of ~5ft (4.1/2 settles to 5ft in backfilling~) like a 'hair-pin over under design on side view... each ditch may support a "2-TON" Hydro-Temp, which is equal to others' 2.2/2-"ton" rated units that use higher than normal blower speeds, or water:water with over pumping to just get "high" ratings... LOOK at COMPRESSOR labels: they should have a 19,000-24,000 btuh compressor IF VERY WET, 52-DEG SUPPORTS A 30,OOO COMPRESSOR IN THAT DESCRIBED DITCH FOR RATINGS @ "3.0-TONS" YOU GET ONLY ~85% OF ANY COMPRESSOR ON ~34-DEG LOOPS... Directly GeoLoops : ECL's (Earth Coupled Loops) are generally producing only ~ 4,200 btuh at 40-degrees/avg and high volumes of ~ 3.1/2 gpm per 3/4"pipe and no antifreeze keeping things obove 38-degrees (ie @ 37 entering ECL, from loads applied/ with or without a heat pump... )...See MoreElectric Heat Pump or Propane for Country LIving?
Comments (22)Another smart option for avoiding frozen plumbing in power outages and reducing heating costs 25-90% is passive solar design. I like to encourage folks to avoid combustion appliances inside the conditioned space as much as possible. That said, it probably makes sense to have propane backup or woodstove if your area experiences frequent outages. LP is probably the most expensive common fuel. It would be wise to ensure your home meets the current international energy codes to ensure you take a cost-effective path to low energy costs. Love to see that mini-spit heat pumps are more commonly entering these conversations. These typically ductless systems require that your building envelope and fenestration details are well designed and built, but they seem to offer the most versatile and affordable heating and cooling strategy available in most climates....See MoreHelp - AC vs Heat Pump vs Geothermal in Oregon Log Home
Comments (6)Thanks Tigerdunes: Electricity use is as follows: First 1,000 kWh 6.778 â per kWh Over 1,000 kWh 7.500 â per kWh ( I use about 800 kwh without AC and 1300 Kwh with it) Propane: 2.69per gallon - usage in winter used to be approx 350-400 gallons per month! I agree that the mark ups for the Heat Pumps condensor are outrageous. The cheapest price I was quoted was $5310 for a Trane XB14 unit, or $5225 for RUUD. I started shopping in May, have had 4 contractors out here, and still see major issues with each contractor. The one I like the best is from Sky Heating, as he was the most thorough, and company got the best reviews. He had the lowest prices as well, but they are still about 3 times the wholesale cost. I have the money to pay for the more expensive systems, but I just can't find a good reason to do that. won't, on principle, as I feel they are purposefully marking them up. This kind of stuff happens to everyone, but seems to happen a bit more to single women ?!? (kind of a sexist comment, but I have noticed this to be true). Back to the subject at hand - I looked at QualitySmith.com for nationwide averages for installation on various Trane Heat Pumps - I compared it to the bids I received: Trane Installation costs (range nationwide) XR15:Install cost $4500-$10,000 (quote= $8100) XB14 Install cost = $3000-$7500 (qutoe was $5300) XB13 install cost =$2500-$6500 (quote was $6400) I noticed in another post that you were recommending a SEER 13 unit, but did not like the Trane XB13 (SEER 14-15) but not the Trane units. You specifically wrote that wrote that you would not get a Trane XB13. I was wondering if you liked any of the Trane models that I have listed? What Brands/models do you like that are SEER 13? Any suggestions for how to find a more competitive bid? I tried Bargaining with one contractor, and I could tell he was completely resistant to it- giving me less information each time I contacted him; strong arming me to come back and meet with me again, etc. Here are some other Brands I received bids for - they also seemed a bit high but are cheaper than others: : Carrier 25HBC5 Comfort - SEER 14.5 FOR $6289_ York YHJFLX series SEER 14.5 for $5869.00 RUUD 4 ton Achiever SEER 14.5 $5225 I would like to pay less than $5000 but that has not been possible. With 5000 Square foot home, and the logs not chinked, I don't envy the contractors for trying to decide what would work best. A two zone system is preferred in houses like this but the cost to retrofit is exorbitant. Desperately confused in Oregon! Thanks again...See MorePropane Heater or Heat Pump
Comments (4)So a heat pump won't get the spa up to the mid 90's if I just adjust the lines so that most of the water is going into the spa? Like for the most part the spa is used for younger kids to play in and not like an adult "spa" where you might have the temp up over 100. Generally the way I use the heater is to heat up the pool to the low to mid 80s. Then adjust the lines so that most of the water goes into the spa and that heats up hotter and then the spillover gradually keeps the pool warm. I guess I am trying to save money on the propane cause they have me trapped. But if a heat pump won't realistically do what I need it to do I don't want to spend all that money on it. Thanks for the input!...See MoreCharles Ross Homes
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last yearlast modified: last yearmike_home
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last yearlast modified: last yearEllen Allard
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