phil scott wrote:
On Aug 31, 10:38 am, dpb wrote:
Mac Cool wrote:
I'm in North Carolina so the weather is relatively mild. I would like to
switch to a heat pump. According tohttp://hes.lbl.gov/hes/about.html, I
could conservatively save about $1600/year on heating alone. I was as
thorough as possible when completing the survey. Last year my hvac guy, a
friend of the family, told me I wouldn't recoup the cost of replacing the
propane but I'm spending thousands each winter on propane. My propane
company has kept the price right at the break even point with electric, or
a little higher when it gets cold. The central unit is 7-8 years old,
propane heat/electric ac.
I'm going to sit down and discuss this with him next week. What are my
concerns and what questions should I ask?
Where in NC? There's quite a difference between the coast and, say,
Asheville...

I'd consider the geothermal -- in TN (Knoxville area) it cut our power
usage as compared to an air-exchange heat pump by almost two-thirds.
It'll take somewhat longer to recoup as installation is higher but if
it's a long-term residence, certainly worth the investigation imo. And
remember, it's a benefit in the A/C season as well as the heat sink is
as important as the source. (BTW, w/ my experience, I'm sold on the
WaterFurnace brand for geothermal.)

I'd think it would be nearly impossible to go wrong but it does depend
on the length of time for recouping then gaining net overall. But, many
utilities have special rates for heating/cooling usage as compared to
regular residential and there may be some (albeit minor) tax credits
possible as well to help offset a little as well.

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your figures on geo thermal are close... you are assuming the thing
will have a long enough life cycle to pay off. many do not, counting the service calls etc,.. they never
pay off. 10 years is a long time for a heat pump to last... for that
reason, as a rule, i dont recommend geo thermal..... industrial or
large commcl appllcations using heavy cast iron compressors have 20
to 40 year life cycles.. maybe geo thermal is a real good idea in
those cases.


I can think of cases were I would however.. the installing contractor
needs to be an actual pro.. rare breeds those.

All of the above are why I am sold on WaterFurnace.

The unit was installed about 15 years ago, perhaps even a little
earlier, I don't recall the exact year any longer. The house was sold
in '00, the current owner has told me more than once how pleased they
are with it...

W/ energy prices unlikely to retrench greatly, it only makes the payback
period shorter.

I'll stick w/ the recommendation that it's worth investigating...

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