Dear Lynda..I just joined this CR evaluation site and am somewhat disappointed in their input. I also am looking to replace heat/air  and am torn between heat pump (carrier seems to be the winner) but also geothermal...it's more expensive..but you get much more..don't be afraid to inquire on this. good luck

More and more customers are choosing heat pumps from our co. these days. And the amount of dual fuel sales (heat pump with gas/oil) has been increasing far beyond what they were in past years. But our area is predominately L/P-propane gas which costs more than natural gas.

Geo has been moving along well and some areas offer good incentives to use geo.

Proper sizing and match-ups along with the ductwork and actual install are the keys to getting a good system.

Heat pumps give you what you want, a warm home. Just not something you want to try and warm you cold damp toes up with.

Lynda,

I would recommend you take a look at having an HVAC engineer complete a load calculation on your house.  ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers) has a technical standard called Manual J (don't ask me, that's just what it is called) that all HVAC techs should use but rarely do.  They tend to use their thumb in it's place.

There are several Manual J software packages available (Elite, Wrightsoft) that, in a professionals hand, is amazingly accurate.  I found an Elite expert in Texas who prepared a load calc for my home which I then used to get bids from several HVAC technicians.  After I received the bids, I handed the information back to the HVAC Engineer who loaded the bids and provided me with a side by side cost analysis and, actually, channeled me to a geothermal heat pump.  I have been using the geothermal system now for about 8 months and it is averaging about $33/month to heat, cool and provides about 70% of my hot water.  The geothermal unit cost me an additional $39/month on my mortgage over a 14 SEER AC with a natural gas furnace.  But it is saving me $130/month on my utilities when I factor in the hot water feature the geothermal unit provides that the traditional HVAC equipment doesn't include.  And the amount I save is going up as the cost of electricity and natural gas goes up.

Obviously, I think geothermal is smart money but I think it starts with the Manual J load calc on your house.

Your right.

As I posted many times in this area, it all starts there and follows with the installation. Foremost with the ductwork design and install being done with Manual D criteria. The ACCA standards of Manual J combined with Manual D and S are there for the contractors to use to have a system that works as a whole unit. Just replacing equipment and calling it good isn't getting any tangible value in the long run. Sure your energy usage will probably go down when you replace equipment, but not near what it could it the whole system is taken care of.

Spend your money well. I always hated calling it an investment, sounds cheesy-but it really is. The return can be far more than anything Wall Street has to offer.

Dale,

I'm just wondering what part of the country you're in?

We're building a new home in North Carolina and are trying to make a decision

on which system to use.

Thanks,

Sandi

 

We are looking into the Acadia heat pump by Hallowell International in Maine. It is air source but they claim it is for colder climates.

Hello . . .

I lived / grew up within 4 miles of there, prior to getting a Mechanical Engineering degree & Registration / P.E. License in another state ... no possible way that a proper, legitimate engineering & manufacturing source could ever be so located, please believe me !

The prevailing weather / climate IS 100% opposed to any successful Heat Pump System, so, just where are these ever going to be installed?

The intricacies & complexities involved w/ designing & producing a totally-successful "heat pump" dual system IS way beyond the abilities of private, Mom & Pop outlets.

Even "IF" they are simply buying a legitimate Brand name, only to  rebadge it, you will have a never-ending battle as to who's responsible !

Please do re-consider - - - stay within the top Trane, Rheem, Ruud, American Standard, Carrier, etc.!

everett

p.s. - - - Sounds as though they may well be engaging in some "Smoke & Mirrors" ...  dual Heat Pump Systems must use ... air ... unless they are geothermal!  NOT new-at-all.