Home Systems

[ChronicTom]

I didn't see a single post about using heat pumps and such for single homes or buildings.

Did I miss it?

[myocardia]

No, we haven't really discussed heat pumps except in this news item and I believe I mentioned them in another thread. That is, I mentioned units like these where appropriate. I guess we all just thought that heat pumps are one of the few things that most people realize are more efficient than what they have now.

edit: This is as good of a place as any to discuss them, though. I don't have time at the moment, but wouldn't mind getting more in-depth about them this evening.

[ChronicTom]

the "like this" link doesn't go to a product...

[myocardia]

Try this link. I was talking about what are called split ductless heat pumps.

[ChronicTom]

That's just a straight heat exchanger with outside air?

[myocardia]

It's an air-to-air heat pump. They aren't quite as efficient as the geothermal heat pumps, but they are up to 2.5x as efficient as normal air conditioners. The good thing about them is they aren't at all expensive, compared to a full-blown geothermal install.

[ChronicTom]

When you are talking about commercial evaporative systems, you may be right comparatively speaking when you say they are inexpensive... but I am sure you won't be surprised when I say they are all way too expensive.... lol

You don't need to get into the whole evaporator/condensor idea to take advantage of ground heat.

A couple of pipes to a radiator in a ducted fan will give both free heat (not much but enough to keep a house from freezing), and cooling.

The only power required for it it just the circulation pump if you want to use water, and the fan if you are just using air and sucking it through buried pipes and a buried 'rock box'.

[myocardia]

Haha, yes I definitely meant that they are comparatively cheap, compared to a commercial geothermal evaporative system. As far as burying pipes ~6 feet deep and using a fan to push or pull the air through those pipes, I couldn't agree more. The problem is that since you can't buy it/have it installed by a contractor, most people are completely against the idea. I've noticed that even most cheap/do it yourself types are against it. And since none of us know anyone who has tried it, and it requires huge amounts of labor, it unfortunately may never be popular.

[ChronicTom]

Having access to a backhoe helps

[Nicolas_Thomas]

Usually when you think of solar hot water, panels and a collector tank installed on a roof spring to mind - a traditional solar hot water system.
A heat pump is a different way to use renewable energy to heat water - that doesn't need solar panels! Heat pumps can save you a bundle of cash on your hot water bills, as they use approximately one third the energy of an electric water heater.