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replacing old heating system Shree 10-05-2006
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Posted by Shree on October 5, 2006, 5:23 pm
Hi there

we want to replace our current heater (gas furnace) with a new heating
system. And I would like to know if electric heat pump is a better
option over a gas furnace.
We live in california (SF area) and it doesn't go below 20. I hear that
a heat pump is cost effective fairly efficient for a place that doesn't
get too cold. Can someone guide me with the Pros and Cons of a heatpump
and gas furnace?
Also currently the furnace is installed in a closet inside the house.
Is it a good idea to move to the attic? Is it advisable to do so.

Thank you for yours suggestions
Shree


Posted by Todd H. on October 5, 2006, 6:15 pm
> Hi there
>
> we want to replace our current heater (gas furnace) with a new heating
> system. And I would like to know if electric heat pump is a better
> option over a gas furnace.
> We live in california (SF area) and it doesn't go below 20. I hear that
> a heat pump is cost effective fairly efficient for a place that doesn't
> get too cold. Can someone guide me with the Pros and Cons of a heatpump
> and gas furnace?
> Also currently the furnace is installed in a closet inside the house.
> Is it a good idea to move to the attic? Is it advisable to do so.
>
> Thank you for yours suggestions
> Shree

Hi Shree,

Unfortunately some of the most prolific of the "HVAC professionals"
here in alt.hvac do little to counteract the knuckle-dragging
foul-mouthed, impolite stereotype that many folks accuse the service
industry of having. It's a shame really.

I'd suggest a post to alt.home.repair where questions like this tend
to get answered more constructively rather than flamed.

As a homeowner, I can offer only this:
o Had a heatpump in a midwestern state as a kid. It got a lot
colder than 20 there in the winter at times, and comfort was
pretty lousy actually. But, I understand heat pumps have
improved a great deal since then, plus your area is much
different in climate, What you've heard matches what I've
heard about heat pumps, so they may well be a good thing to
consider. Hopefully someone who does a lot work in your area
can chime in. Until then, try this:

http://www.google.com/search?q=heat+pump+vs+furnace

o Moving a furnace location is a Big Deal. I can't imagine it
would ever be advisable as you'd be paying a boatload to do,
and you'll probably end up making your system less effective
since the ductwork was designed to terminate at the systems'
current location.

Good luck!

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

Posted by Shree on October 5, 2006, 6:29 pm
Todd

thankyou for your reply.
I'll take a look at the search result.

-Shree

Todd H. wrote:
> > Hi there
> >
> > we want to replace our current heater (gas furnace) with a new heating
> > system. And I would like to know if electric heat pump is a better
> > option over a gas furnace.
> > We live in california (SF area) and it doesn't go below 20. I hear that
> > a heat pump is cost effective fairly efficient for a place that doesn't
> > get too cold. Can someone guide me with the Pros and Cons of a heatpump
> > and gas furnace?
> > Also currently the furnace is installed in a closet inside the house.
> > Is it a good idea to move to the attic? Is it advisable to do so.
> >
> > Thank you for yours suggestions
> > Shree
>
> Hi Shree,
>
> Unfortunately some of the most prolific of the "HVAC professionals"
> here in alt.hvac do little to counteract the knuckle-dragging
> foul-mouthed, impolite stereotype that many folks accuse the service
> industry of having. It's a shame really.
>
> I'd suggest a post to alt.home.repair where questions like this tend
> to get answered more constructively rather than flamed.
>
> As a homeowner, I can offer only this:
> o Had a heatpump in a midwestern state as a kid. It got a lot
> colder than 20 there in the winter at times, and comfort was
> pretty lousy actually. But, I understand heat pumps have
> improved a great deal since then, plus your area is much
> different in climate, What you've heard matches what I've
> heard about heat pumps, so they may well be a good thing to
> consider. Hopefully someone who does a lot work in your area
> can chime in. Until then, try this:
>
> http://www.google.com/search?q=heat+pump+vs+furnace
>
> o Moving a furnace location is a Big Deal. I can't imagine it
> would ever be advisable as you'd be paying a boatload to do,
> and you'll probably end up making your system less effective
> since the ductwork was designed to terminate at the systems'
> current location.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Best Regards,
> --
> Todd H.
> http://www.toddh.net/


Posted by Noon-Air on October 5, 2006, 8:34 pm
Shree,

Todd is *NOT* a tech, and doesn't havea clue. I have inserted my comments
below. FWIW, I grew up in Redwood City so I have a pretty good idea of what
your climate is.

> Todd
>
> thankyou for your reply.
> I'll take a look at the search result.
>
> -Shree
>
> Todd H. wrote:
>> > Hi there
>> >
>> > we want to replace our current heater (gas furnace) with a new heating
>> > system. And I would like to know if electric heat pump is a better
>> > option over a gas furnace.

A high efficiency heat pump would serve you well provided that it is
correctly sized, and installed. As far as the better option, that will
depend on the price of electric and nat gas rates.

>> > We live in california (SF area) and it doesn't go below 20. I hear that
>> > a heat pump is cost effective fairly efficient for a place that doesn't
>> > get too cold. Can someone guide me with the Pros and Cons of a heatpump
>> > and gas furnace?

A heat pump would serve you well just as another gas furnace would. Just
keep in mind that with a heat pump you will not get that blast of hot air
like you would from a gas furnace...heat pumps are designed to *maintain* a
constant, even temperature throughout your home. If you *DO* decide to get a
heat pump, I would recommend one with the new R-410a refrigerant, and a 10
year parts and labor warranty.

>> > Also currently the furnace is installed in a closet inside the house.
>> > Is it a good idea to move to the attic? Is it advisable to do so.

Keep it in the closet. Its easier to service, change filters, clean, and
maintain. If its easier and more accessable to change filters, you will be
more likely to do it. There are also a bunch of other problems with attic
installs so they are in compliance with all codes and regulations, like
access, catwalks, lighting, power recepticle, and a bunch of other stuff.

>> > Thank you for yours suggestions
>> > Shree

Your welcome





Posted by on October 5, 2006, 8:20 pm

>Hi there
>
>we want to replace our current heater (gas furnace) with a new heating
>system. And I would like to know if electric heat pump is a better
>option over a gas furnace.
>We live in california (SF area) and it doesn't go below 20. I hear that
>a heat pump is cost effective fairly efficient for a place that doesn't
>get too cold. Can someone guide me with the Pros and Cons of a heatpump
>and gas furnace?
>Also currently the furnace is installed in a closet inside the house.
>Is it a good idea to move to the attic? Is it advisable to do so.
>
>Thank you for yours suggestions
>Shree


Alot of the electricity in Ca is produced by burning natural gas. From
the consumer standpoint, which do you think would be cheaper?

As the outdoor temp drops, the supply air from the heat pump also
drops. 95 degree air blowing on 98 degree human beings feels cool to
the skin. Backup heating for a heatpump is usually electric strip
heat. You'll pay big bucks to run electric strip heat in Ca.

Experience tells me senior citizens & little children dislike heat
pumps after experiencing a fossil fuel burning furnace, primarily due
to discharge air temps.

depending on what your electrical rate is, a heat pump can be cheaper
to operate than a gas furnace, up to a certain point.

why dont you install a heat pump with a gas furnace as the air
handler? You get the best of both worlds.

And hell yes, move your furnace/heat pump air handler to the attic.
I did for my home, & it was a piece of cake.
All of the duct work is up there already, except the return air. The
hole they cut in the ceiling to get the furnace up there can be used
for a new ceiling located return air. Patch the hole in the wall
where it is currently located, and free up a closet for storage.

A smart consumer will also replace all of the attic ductwork.

Lucky for you, Ca enacted new legislation effective 1 Oct 2005, which
stipulates the installing contractor MUST perform a pressure test on
the duct system and ensure it is within 15% leakage rate, determind by
the total cfm of your system. The new duct insulation standard is
R-8, which translates to 3" fiberglass (at .75 lb density). Its
pointless to install new equipment and continue to blow the air thru a
leaky, poorly insulated duct system that is effectively cooling or
heating your attic.

Make sure your installing contractor does a load calc and pulls a
building permit, and adhere's to all the new building codes.

http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/2005standards/index.html

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