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INFORMATION NEEDED for new option heat pump

perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
edited September 2017 in General Discussion
Hello I would like some advice on replacing both heating and Air condition unit on my home. I have lived in this house46 years this is a one story 2200 square foot brick house I have oil fired unit with duct work system to heat I have done all work on this side since house was built including burner one time and complete furnace one time this furnace is in crawlspace under the one story brick house. with duct work that is used for both heating and AC the AC unit is out side on concrete pad the second question is will I need to cut a big hole in the brick wall when I install the heat pump currently the cooling side only has a one inch pipe high pressure line from ac compressor through the wall does heat pump work with just a pipe for heat?
all information will be appreciated also brand names on some of the best thanks karl
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Comments

  • 11b6r11b6r Member Posts: 16,584 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Perry- this is not intended as a tech explanation, and those with a tech background are welcome to correct me-

    Heat pump is an AC with a reverse gear. Can pull heat from air (down to about 35 degrees. Uses same 2 Freon lines for heating and cooling. You may need to replace the inside part (air handling unit) at same time. You do not have big air duct going from outside unit to inside unit, just Freon lines.

    When outside air temp goes below 35 degrees, then the electric strip heater on the air handling unit cuts on. Air coming out of the registers may FEEL cool- most heat pumps only have a 20 degree rise in temp. 65 degree air going in will be 85 coming out of register- and 85 is cooler than your skin.

    Heat pump is a cost effective way to MAINTAIN temperature if you are usually above 35 degrees. Do not be raising/ lowering temp.
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  • PA ShootistPA Shootist Member Posts: 694 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    After considerable research, I am currently having installed a Bosch heat pump and air conditioning unit combination. Those who said there are only Freon piping lines into and out from the heat exchanger inside your air handler are correct. The newer units can produce heat down to lower temps than older style units; Bosch advertises down to +5 degrees Farenheit. The pump is inverter technology variable speed and can pump hard and compress more when more heat is needed, and less when not so much is needed. Same thing on the air conditioning side. I am hoping the claims and specs are correct, it is more expensive than most of the rest. I am keeping my oil-fired boiler and radiant panel floor heat system for the coldest temps, rather than electric resistance elements for auxiliary heat. I had a heat pump in a home about 30 years ago, and it performed as mentioned by previous poster, below about 35 degrees Farenheit outside air the house was chilly at best.
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  • rsnyder55rsnyder55 Member Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a very old system. My heat pump has lines buried below the frostline in the backyard and uses the difference between the temperature of the ground and air in the house.
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  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    +1 for geothermal heat pumps. There is heat in the ground to use when there is none to be had from the air. One of my chemical engineering professors put a system in for his house in Moscow Id. IIRC he got almost a coefficient of 5 performance - for every $ in electricity he put in he got almost $5 worth of heat back out.

    You will want run the numbers for "pay out time" and return on investment. I think a well designed system will save you money in operation and make the house more comfortable.
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks every one just the kind of information I was looking for

    Karl AKA Perry shooter
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  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,045 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    as a former (retired)Bryant dealer a lot of mis-information here. Current heat pump technology allows air/air heat pumps to operate efficiently as low as -10 deg. If you currently have a forced air system the most cost effective system would be a variable speed gas fired furnace with the heat pump = most efficient operation + lowest cost + constant air temp. Just don't 'skimp' on installation cost (buy the 'Gold Cup', not the 'crown city .45) [;)]
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    yes natural gas is the cheapest but unavailable where I live thanks any way Karl
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In Northern VA, land is pretty expensive; most residential lots aren't big enough for geothermal installations.

    The people I know in the HVAC business tell me that mini split pack systems have become more efficient & quieter, & folks are really happy with them. (You have 1 or 2 compressor units outside, & a wall mounted unit in each room.) You can turn the room units on or off as needed to save money (or make your wife toasty).

    Neal
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