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1. What is the BTU size of the furnace that's
being proposed?
Furnaces are designed to provide specific amounts of heat
energy per hour. The term "BTUH" refers to how much heat can
be produced by the unit in an hour. Before you can determine
what size furnace you'll need, you must have a heat
loss/heat gain calculation done on the structure. From that,
an accurate determination can be made on the size of the
heating system you'll need. Most fossil fuel furnaces are
substantially oversized for heating requirements, resulting
in increased operating cost.
2. Is the efficiency rating actual or just a
manufacturer's average?
All types of heating and cooling systems have a rated
efficiency. Fossil fuel furnaces have a percentage
efficiency rating. Natural gas, propane and fuel oil
furnaces have efficiency ratings based on laboratory
conditions. To get an accurate installed efficiency rating,
factors such as flue gas heat losses, cycling losses caused
by oversizing, blower fan electrical usage, etc., must be
included. Geothermal heat pumps, as well as all other types
of heat pumps, have efficiencies rated according to their
coefficient of performance or COP. Most geothermal heat pump
systems have COPs of 2.5 - 3.5. That means for every one
unit of energy used to power the system, two and one-half to
three and one-half units are supplied as heat. Where a
fossil fuel furnace may be 50-90 percent efficient, a
geothermal heat pump is about 300 percent efficient.
3. Will the minimum entering water
temperature have an effect on which heat pump I buy?
Yes. If you have an open-loop system, your entering water
temperatures (EWTs) may range from the 70s in the southern
United States to the 40s in Canada. All heat pumps can
handle temperatures in the moderate to warm ranges. A closed
loop system, on the other hand, will encounter EWTs below
freezing. Not all geothermal heat pumps will operate
efficiently at those temperatures. It's important for you to
know what EWTs your heat pump will handle.
4. Will open- or closed-loop be best for you?
That depends on several factors as stated earlier. We will
install what's best for you and your family.
5. How long is the payback period for your
geothermal heat pump system?
To figure this accurately, you must know how much per year
you'll save in energy costs with a geothermal system and the
difference in costs between it and the alternative heating
system and central air conditioner. To calculate your return
on investment (payback in number of years), divide the
annual savings into the additional cost. When you install a
geothermal system in a new home, the monthly savings in
operating costs will generally offset the additional monthly
cost in the mortgage, resulting in a monthly positive cash
flow immediately. Keep in mind that energy savings is only
one of the many benefits you receive from a geothermal
system.
6. If a home has ceiling cable heat or
baseboard heat, do air ducts need to be installed?
Not always. It may be desirable to install geothermal heat
pump room units. For some small homes, one room unit would
provide most of the heating and cooling needs. Ceiling cable
or baseboard units could then be used for supplemental heat. |
Father
and Sons uses the latest technology by the some of the
leading companies in the industries.
