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That wasn't the issue. He incorrectly described the process, stating that the liquid from the ground loop (typically water + anti-freeze) is turned into a gas in the evaporator. It isn't. What gets turned into a gas in the evaporator is the liquid refrigerant, which the ground loop liquid heats via a heat exchanger.
I would look seriously into cold climate heat pumps. They are getting more and more efficient. The latest technology will beat almost all "hands off" heating (that is to say, it's still more expensive than pellets, wood, or coal, because those are not "hands off") except for cheap natural gas. It takes $1.50 per gallon propane to be equal to the performance of a new Mitsubishi or Fujitsu ductless mini split, and I don't believe you can get $1.50 propane (not here at least).
I am planning to heat my home with 2 Mitsubishi FH series ductless mini splits. Cost installed around 8-9k.
I think he was describing how a heat pump can also be used to heat a forced air system. I think he's from Pennsylvania and they tend to be a little biased towards keeping warm rather than keeping cool.
The OP specifically mentioned heating and that is simply not going to work the way they described in their OP for heating. Here these are typically used with in floor radiant heating and yes heating is more important than cooling. Summers are no picnic some days, temps are in the 80's on average but there is a lot of humidity. We usually get about 2 or 3 weeks of 90+ but it's sporadic through the summer. I live on top of mountain, so it's a little cooler and there is always a breeze. There is only a few days each year I want air, I often have to debate with myself whether I want to go through the effort of putting in the window air conditioner.
The latest technology will beat almost all "hands off" heating
Coal is not hands off but a few minutes each day or every other day in the middle of winter is really no effort when you consider the savings. This guy is from Vermont coincidentally.
The reason it's labeled biofuel is becsue you can burn wood pellets or corn mixed with the coal. It's primarily for coal.
Coal is not hands off but a few minutes each day or every other day in the middle of winter is really no effort when you consider the savings. This guy is from Vermont coincidentally.
The reason it's labeled biofuel is becsue you can burn wood pellets or corn mixed with the coal. It's primarily for coal.
That boiler pictured is about $9K on a pallet but you only buy it once in a lifetime.
That is great IF you are near a source of COAL at the retail level (delivered to the house by truck) and you are using Hot Water Heating.
On new construction If you upgrade the building envelope (outside walls and windows) to the Canadian Building codes 6" wall studs, Outer layer of foam solid insulation 1" over solid wood sheathing 1/2" Reflective air infiltration barrier, they seal the joints between the horizontal wood connections with caulk (between the floor joists and the subfloor and between the wall sill plate and the subfloor at the outside of the building). Triple pane windows with high quality weather stripping in moving joints. Air to air heat exchangers for make up air for any combustion and fume removal. Keep the house at a slight ( less than 1" H2O) positive pressure to the outside to prevent drafts when heating or cooling is being used.
The other thing that can help is to site the house so it fits into the landscape so it uses its features to protect the contents from the worst of the weather and it uses the best of nature (passive solar, cooling winds, etc.)
That is great IF you are near a source of COAL at the retail level (delivered to the house by truck) and you are using Hot Water Heating.
You can get anthracite in the Northeast US just about anywhere however the further you get from Northeastern Pennsylvania the costlier it will be and less likely you'll get delivery from a truck. Keep in mind a coal truck is like no other truck, you can't just go out and buy one. If you are going to consider coal the first thing you need to do is find out if there is dealer in your area and what your options are. If you're rural and have the cash delivery by tractor trialer is always an option with a huge savings.
This one is a seven ton lift I recently sold, actually had a guy from Ohio that drove 10 hours to look at it.
Anywhere you are on the Earth's surface, 10 feet (3 meters) underground the temperature is a constant 55-60 degrees F (12-15 degrees C) year round. Bury a pipe at this depth and run water through it. The earth will heat the water to this temperature for free and without pollution. You can then run air over the water pipe in what is called a heat exchanger and then use that pre-warmed (or pre-cooled) air in your ventilation system lowering the cost of heating (or cooling) your house.
Why not do what American Indians of the southwest did from time immemorial?
Thick sun-dried walls and roof. Built four of five deep into the ground.
Cool amidst the heat of summer and warm during winter.
Why not do what American Indians of the southwest did from time immemorial? Thick sun-dried walls and roof. Built four of five deep into the ground. Cool amidst the heat of summer and warm during winter.
It's a practical design in the southwest desert. Not so much where it rains.
But I think the main thing that kills it from current consideration is an image problem. I think it's associated in many people's minds with poverty and primitive living.
There is a related design that seems better accepted, though not particularly popular, called earth berm construction, as I recall. Basically it's done by constructing a building, at grade or below, and then piling earth against it for the insulation value.
It's a practical design in the southwest desert. Not so much where it rains.
But I think the main thing that kills it from current consideration is an image problem. I think it's associated in many people's minds with poverty and primitive living.
There is a related design that seems better accepted, though not particularly popular, called earth berm construction, as I recall. Basically it's done by constructing a building, at grade or below, and then piling earth against it for the insulation value.
Very popular in New Mexico and Arizona, where Native Americans used that type of construction. It wasn't practical elsewhere for the Native Americans either.
Why not do what American Indians of the southwest did from time immemorial?
Thick sun-dried walls and roof. Built four of five deep into the ground.
Cool amidst the heat of summer and warm during winter.
I am familiar with earth-sheltered homes. The problem is your house looks like a hill and some of us would prefer a little more individual expression than that. Also your windows are limited and inside tunnels.
Best design I've heard is to have a U-shaped house built around a patio and walls of glass with curtains so as to allow maximum sunlight and you don't feel like you're inside a cave. Dirt is piled up around the outside walls of the U and covered with grass and flowers and landscaping. A community of such homes would be like a park with a number of small hills where the houses are.
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