FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Are there any small water-source heat pumps using scroll compressors

Jon_Kat | Posted in General Discussion on July 22, 2021 09:38am

I am trying to find a Water-Source Heat Pump (WSHP) to be used as a supplemental cooling unit for a radiant heating/cooling system.

I’m having no trouble finding the right size WSHPs for this job (sub 2-ton), but all of the small units use rotary compressors. Left idle, rotary compressor are prone to rusting and premature failure. This will be a vacation home, so that scenario is likely.

Has anyone come across a sub-2 ton WSHP with using scroll compressors? Thank you in advance.

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. 88cch | Jul 22, 2021 08:15pm | #1

    Rusting? You know the compressor and motor inside the hermetic shell is sitting in oil right? I've been an HVAC contractor for 33 years and I have never found a "rusted compressor failure" regardless of compressor type. Your getting bad info.

  2. Jon_Kat | Jul 22, 2021 08:44pm | #2

    Thanks for the info. Would you say then that rotary compressors sitting idle for too long isn't a concern? Have you dealt with many rotary compressors in you HVAC work? If so, what has you experience been with their logevity vs. scroll compressors? Appreciate any additional information you might have.

    1. 88cch | Jul 26, 2021 07:46pm | #3

      Rotary compressors are not that common, you may be thinking of a reciprocating compressor which used to be the typical type before scroll compressors. Compressors fail for many reasons but sitting idle is not a concern. You are planning to put well water through the WSHP or is it a closed loop design? Trying to understand your "radiant cooling" comment...I get radiant heating obviously and I understand the concept of radiant cooling, but putting it in actual operation is another matter...that sounds tricky without a serious controls/DH plan. Never seen it residentially (or commercial for that matter although it exists where conditions allow I hear). Was the radiant cooling comment a typo or you trying that?

      1. Jon_Kat | Jul 26, 2021 08:47pm | #4

        Thanks for the reply. I am trying for a radiant heating and cooling system. System will be closed loop running distilled water and embedded in concrete floors. The in-floor system will provide nearly all the BTU needs for heating, but I will need a supplemental cooling system in the summer. This is where the small WSHP comes in. I will probably need 6,000-12,000 BTU supplement in-floor cooling. The WSHP will use the same supply water as the floors, and should be the only condensing area in the entire system.

        To clarify, all of the manufactures I look at (trane, water furnace, aaon, daikin, and carrier) use rotary compressors on any WSHP's less than 2 tons (Carrier does manufacture a 1.5T WSHP using scroll compressors). To your point, scroll compressors are the norm for the HVAC industry. My guess is they took over because they fail less than their predecessors (only 2 moving parts). What I'm trying to find is any manufacture out there that uses smaller scroll compressors. I know they exist... Copeland makes a 1-ton model, but I haven't found the WSHP it fits on.

        The controls to implement radiant cooling shouldn't be that difficult. To start, in most regions of America any home being built today should have whole-house dehumidification. Houses are just too tight today (thankfully) and there's too many materials that don't like moisture in home construction. So if that's true, all you have to do is make sure your supply water temp never drops below dew point temp and radiant cooling works. Even when it's 100+ degrees out, ERVs will be pulling in a bulk of the air, and cooling that air. That should allow me to keep cooling temps relatively low. There will be thermostats and humidistats monitoring real-time though. Whatever heat I can't dump into my floors will be dumped into the WSHP.

        Hope this help. Appreciate the info.

  3. User avater
    tfarwell | Aug 01, 2021 12:47am | #5

    I have a vacation home, and I have the wifi connected system run the dehumidifier and whole house fan for a couple hours each day. It's good for the structure. I'd go with the standard equipment and make sure the system doesn't in fact sit idle. Best of both worlds.

    http://elamarrado.com/2016/04/22/rotary-vs.-scroll-pros-and-cons-of-two-common-ac-compressor-types/

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

A Classic Paint Sprayer Gets a Thoughtful Refresh

The Titan Impact X 440 offers great coverage with minimal overspray.

Featured Video

SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before

The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 693: Old-House Hazards, Building Larsen Trusses, AI in Construction
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Finding Hazardous Materials in a Fixer-Upper
  • A Classic Paint Sprayer Gets a Thoughtful Refresh
  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data