Anyone have a WaterFurnace 7

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Good? Bad? Price?

flipper35 · flipper35's Garage

We have a GeoComfort geothermal heat pump so I am not sure if it is similar. We had a 70% efficient oil burner and the unit paid for itself in 6.5 years. YMMV.

It was higher in price for us since we had to have some ductwork fixed from when an addition was put on by one of the previous owners of the house and they had to horizontal bore the yard since we had too many trees and the septic system on our 1.3 acre lot.

Not sure how it would be for you since our ground is 48* here but the A/C portion cost less to run than the whole house attic fan.

I would do it again.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Waterfurnace is a brand of ground geothermal heat pump. The "7" is the VFD (variable frequency drive) version, which can step capacity from 40% to 110%.

The ground sink (71F) is a lot cooler than the the average air temp. The "calculator" shows about $1400-1500 savings per year in Air Conditioner and Hot Water heating compared with a 13 SEER standard A/C.

I'm most interested for some of my clients with our Mi-Grid hybrid solar energy systems. It will reduce total energy consumption, which means trading solar panels for the heat pump and install.

What model and size (in tons) do you have and about how much was the install?

flipper35 · flipper35's Garage

I would have to look up the model when I get home but it is sized for a 2600 sq/ft ranch with a finished basement and summer temps in the mid 90s and winters below 0. We spent around $22k including the new duct work and having to horizontal bore. Should have been around $6k less.

Ours does heat the 119 gallon (don't ask me why it is that size) tank to 131* when the unit is running.

Part of that cost was also adding a 200 amp service and renting a trencher for the new service as well.

schamp · 08-09-2016, 11:46 AM

I am in the process of having a working geothermal a/c system removed from my house to go back to a traditional one. IMO, geothermal is over rated. Period. Sounds good but it stays on and just runs. I had one geothermal running on one side of the house and a new traditional one on the other side of the house. Wintertime. Temps at geothermal was 84 degrees. Temps at traditional was 102 degrees. Which one do you think will turn off quickest?
Look at the newer units. Higher pressure, higher temp or lower temps in summer, newer freon.
I am saving money by not having a geothermal running. My .02

flipper35 · flipper35's Garage

Our temps at the register are 98* in the winter. We probably spend $800 to $900 a year in electricity on the unit plus it doesn't dry the air like a gas/oil burner. Not sure what the temps are in the summer with the A/C. It is cold. 50* maybe?

Sounds like your area or your unit was not a good fit.

pavulon · 08-09-2016, 12:58 PM

A lot of variables go into geothermal performance and pricing. The equation for the decision is also complicated and nobody can accurately predict the price of fuel/natural gas/propane or electricity. Everybody seems to be selling the best idea.

Overall, I'm not sure I would install geothermal again as I've owned it for 13 years now and have had almost yearly trouble of various sorts with it. In subzero temps I augment with the natural gas fireplace because I have to.

LWJ · 08-09-2016, 02:54 PM

A friend / client / Carnut that I know is a water furnace dealer. He is very strong on them. Pm me if you want to connect.

flipper35 · flipper35's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavulon

A lot of variables go into geothermal performance and pricing. The equation for the decision is also complicated and nobody can accurately predict the price of fuel/natural gas/propane or electricity. Everybody seems to be selling the best idea.

Overall, I'm not sure I would install geothermal again as I've owned it for 13 years now and have had almost yearly trouble of various sorts with it. In subzero temps I augment with the natural gas fireplace because I have to.

I would agree that every situation is different. I can only give our experience. In the 8 years we had only one issue and that was a leak where the pipes came in the basement and they came and fixed it. Had we not been replacing an oil burner I am not sure what we would have done but we have never been cold in the winter and we keep it right around 70* compared to keeping it at 64* to be able to afford the oil in the old furnace. The old furnace was crap really.

I do like that it stays quiet outside in the summer with the A/C running.