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Discussion Forum

Air-to-water heat pump for hydronic heating–am I being realistic?

DustinDawind | Posted in General Discussion on July 5, 2022 01:59pm

I’m looking to replace my direct hot water tank (8 years old) and gas boiler (45 years old) with an energy efficient system. My heat emitters are old convectors. It’s all monoflow piping. 

Last year I got an estimate to get new rads + homerun manifold tied into a nice Viessman HE boiler and indirect tank. It was a little over $20k after my state’s rebates.  I didn’t want to pull the trigger at that time because I didn’t have enough info to go for it. 

After doing some more research, and thinking toward the future, I’d prefer an air-to-water heat pump with electric HE boiler backup (with new rads and manifold) plus electric hot water tied into this. I plan on getting a solar panels within the next 5 years when we get a new roof. 

My state’s rebate for an Air to Water heat pump is $10k. I’d like to spend less than $30k prior to rebate, but I don’t know if this is even realistic.  Before I dive deeper into planning what I’d like, does the Air-to-water heat pump system sound like it would be cost prohibitive? 

Any perspective would be helpful.

Reply

Replies

  1. Greg_E | Jul 05, 2022 02:34pm | #1

    Where do you live? Air source heat pumps drop in efficiency rapidly as you get below freezing. If you spend most of your heating season below 40f I would look at another heat source.

    1. DustinDawind | Jul 05, 2022 03:02pm | #2

      I'm in MA. Design temp is 8 deg F.

  2. bing0328 | Jul 05, 2022 08:27pm | #3

    If you have the room in your yard, I'd go ground source.

  3. edwardh1 | Jul 06, 2022 07:26am | #4

    anyone in your neighborhood already have your planned system, or get references from the planned installer who has put in what you plan to use? then ask them how its going. are ground source HP common in Ma?

    1. DustinDawind | Jul 06, 2022 04:18pm | #5

      I don't think we have room for ground source. I know there are a few people in my town with it, but I only have 1/4 acre, and the portion that would have the ground source has my septic and leech field. Perhaps I'll ask the inspector what the requirements are around that. All that said, I think ground source will be too costly for us at this time.

      1. bing0328 | Jul 07, 2022 09:03am | #6

        You can drill vertically if you can get the rig in place.

  4. splam32 | Jul 07, 2022 12:48pm | #7

    Depending on the brand of Heat pump you go with, it should be possible for the heat pump, to cover 80-90% of the heating season, with the backup just kicking in for the extremes. The Aermec ANK units will work down too -4f at full load, I would recommend sizing the Rads, for 110f operating temperature to maximize the efficiency. Plus use TRV's on every Rad, to zone each room.

    1. DustinDawind | Jul 08, 2022 03:17pm | #8

      That's what exactly what I am looking into. Thank you!

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