Brian,
Don't write off heat pumps yet. You could go ground source heat pump
(often called geothermal heat pump or GEOExchange), which can work in just
about any climate.
The direct exchange geothermal (i.e. ECR Tech.) provides extremely high
efficiency plus much warmer air than conventional heat pumps or other GSHP.
It's not cheap initially, running about $4k/ton but it will provide
heating and cooling and you won't have to run oil or gas tanks.
Published reports show savings to be between 20%-50% depending on the
efficiency of the system and utility costs. With oil costs going up the
way they are, the payoff of the GSHP system will be quite fast, again
depending on usage and utility costs.
If you're unfamiliar with GSHP technology, see
http://www.geoexchange.org/
http://www.ecrtech.com/content/
Beware of contractors who write off GSHP technology. Often they'll plant
doubt by saying that they're unreliable and cost a fortune to fix. On the
contrary, systems like the ECR one, are very simple. They're basically the
same as a normal A/C system except that instead of cooling the compressor
coils using forced air, they use the ground. The air handler for these
systems is often an off the shelf unit, so any competent HVAC pro can
service that portion.
good luck.
Subject: Old "Electric" House, wanting new heating system
From: (bschott)
Date: 10/27/2004 12:50 PM Eastern Standard Time
Message-id:
My wife and I recently moved into a new (36 year old) house which was
very well kept my its previous owners. The only downfall to this house
is that it has electric baseboard heating distributed with control
modules for each room.
When we were originally looking at the house before purchasing it, the
owners at the time left out a years worth of Electric bill statements.
And in the coldest parts of the year (Jan, Feb, etc) the bills hovered
around 480 to 500 monthly.
Not being a fan of electric heating, I'm currently entertaining
heating installers to provide alternate heating methods. Back in '84
the owner installed central A/C with ductwork extending to both floors
from the Attic. I'm interested in reutilizing this. And I understand
that the drawbacks might be that there will be some cools spots with
the fact that the vents are in the ceilings.
So far, I've met with 2 heating suppliers/installers. The first guy
gave me quotes for Lennox products in both heat pumps and Propane
burning furnaces. I am not a big fan of Heat Pumps, and feel that they
are not made to be installed anywhere north of North Carolina, but to
each his own I guess.
Switching from electric resistive heat to a heat pump (which will have
even
more electric resistive heat back-ups) is just plain ludicrious.
Anyhow, the prices for instillation of the Propane Furnace (minus
Tank, etc) ran from about 4100 to 4600 depending on model. Heat Pump
range was from 4000.00 to 11,000.00 depending on model as well. I feel
this is pretty high for a basic 1 day install...
Just yesterday, I met with the 2nd installer, and we talked about
propane, but in the course of our conversation, I felt that I really
don't want to have a tank either buried or sitting on the ground
anywhere on our property. He suggested and Oil furnace. At first I
hesitated as I have reservations about anything Oil in my house for
some reason. But when he described that we could easily fit the tank
in my unfinished portion of the basement, I warmed up to the idea. So
this is what he's creating a quote for me on installing.
I must say that initially he was interested in installing one of those
"Hydro-Air" systems which I'm not opposed to, but because of oil heat
venting issues from a basement install, this system basically wont
work for me.
I'd be curious of any thoughts and or comments regarding to this. And
perhaps any other suggestions you might offer.
Oh, the specs for the house:
Well insulated custom build 2 story Colonial home with "slabbed"
kitchen/garage.
About 26 double-pane wood frame Pella windows
Lennox 4 Ton A/C system installed w/ductwork extending down from
ceiling.
Thanks, Brian