Just to keep the interested parties updated -

I sent my manual J report to docjenser - he was kind enough to report back to me with a cost / op comparison for my home - It shows almost a $900 annual savings from gas.

He also concurred with a 4 ton single or a 3/2 if we do one unit per floor.


Thanks for the report and work you did for me doc!

I have also been talking to heatoftheearth - he is working with me dealing with my insulation at the moment and I cant wait to get even more feedback

With this information I can actually make a more educated decision on my route. I gotta thank the site in general for this - hats off!

I'm still leaning on the side of working with a driller / wet side installation and purchasing the units myself. Is there anyone who can help me make sure I get the model numbers correct in my application? I'd like to purchase Carrier part numbers if possible as i can get parts easiest through them

Thanks again
Dave

Posted By DJV on 14 Feb 2012 09:45 PM

I'm still leaning on the side of working with a driller / wet side installation and purchasing the units myself. Is there anyone who can help me make sure I get the model numbers correct in my application? I'd like to purchase Carrier part numbers if possible as i can get parts easiest through them

Thanks again
Dave

Unless things have changed recently, ClimateMaster makes the geothermal heat pumps for Carrier.  The following is a Carrier brochure on the ClimateMaster web site:

http://www.climatemaster.com/downloads/CA207.pdf

You can search ebay and get an idea of online pricing for Climatemaster units like this one (which happens to have a Carrier label on it the photo):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CLIMATE...3a703b4560

Model numbers will contain sizes.
Carrier dealers or distributors are not supposed to sell to you.
Ebay is not your best choice as it makes warranties dubious.
Look up Geo Max 2 by heat controller. Quality is good, same manufacturer but different distributor guidelines.
j

Posted By DJV on 14 Feb 2012 09:45 PM
Just to keep the interested parties updated -

I sent my manual J report to docjenser - he was kind enough to report back to me with a cost / op comparison for my home - It shows almost a $900 annual savings from gas.

He also concurred with a 4 ton single or a 3/2 if we do one unit per floor.


Thanks for the report and work you did for me doc!

I have also been talking to heatoftheearth - he is working with me dealing with my insulation at the moment and I cant wait to get even more feedback

With this information I can actually make a more educated decision on my route. I gotta thank the site in general for this - hats off!

I'm still leaning on the side of working with a driller / wet side installation and purchasing the units myself. Is there anyone who can help me make sure I get the model numbers correct in my application? I'd like to purchase Carrier part numbers if possible as i can get parts easiest through them

Thanks again
Dave

It seems that you have 2 options here. Since you cannot serve your 2 floors with ductwork from the basement, you can either

1) Install a 3 ton in the basement and a 2 ton in the attic. Con: a compressor unit over your bedroom. Pro: I really like multistage heating and especially cooling paired with a variable speed fan

2) Install a 5 ton w-w unit feeding a buffer tank, and run 2 air handlers (one for downstairs, one for upstairs). Con: single stage only (on and off for the air handlers). Pro: no compressor in the attic

Running insulated lines into the attic in both cases.

Why does he have to have a compressor over his head? Why not do a 3 ton package unit for the downstairs and then a split system for the upstairs, the compressor and flow center will all be in the mechanical room and all you need a refrigerant lineset(no water above your head) to get to the air handler for upstairs. You could even run an outdoor split system(waterfurnace makes them) that are covered by a cheesy looking rock so they kinda blend in.

This gives you two, two stage units and no compressor or water above your head.

Posted By SkyHeating on 15 Feb 2012 06:17 PM
Why not do a 3 ton package unit for the downstairs and then a split system for the upstairs, the compressor and flow center will all be in the mechanical room and all you need a refrigerant lineset(no water above your head) to get to the air handler for upstairs. 

This is what we have done.  Both of our compressors (a packaged unit and a split unit) are in the basement.  Each unit has a DSH with the water heater right next to the compressor sections.  We utilized unused furnace vents as a chase to run the refrigerant lines and necessary wiring to the air handler in the attic.

Sure, you can also have a split unit. Sorry, but with my european mindset, all I am thinking is hydronic. The advantage of having a w-w unit is that one heatpump would do it all, so you would only need one instead of 2 heatpumps installed, saving you upfront. Once you have a w-w heatpump, you can also run your domestic hot water off it all year around.

I know this is an old thread now. But how did this end? After reding 4 pages of replies, I feel like I just watched 90mins of a 95 min movie.... Then the power goes out!!! Did he finally pick a HVAC contractor, does he have GEO or conventional, does it work, are we still on the fence??? I can't take the suspense!!

Went and did all of it on my own - I've paid an engineer to give everything a once over to make sure the load calcs, loop calcs, pump selection and setpoints are adequate to the envelope of the building.

provided the pump cut, loop field specs, window u-value, plans, specs on walls, insulation, orientation of house geographically - the list goes on and on but I should have a sound system

Robbins Water service just drilled (3) 300' wells on Friday - with thermally enhanced grout in my front yard.

I received the climatemaster units on friday as well and set them over the weekend


( i'll be making a new thread shortly to document my experience to date )

Dan - you & your father drilled my water well a few years back.

Posted By DJV on 30 Dec 2012 08:52 PM
Went and did all of it on my own - Dan - you & your father drilled my water well a few years back.

Congrats! Glad to hear you followed through with it. Not happy we missed out on your drilling for the loop field though. LOL. I'm sure you got a good job, Robbins does quite a bit of loopfields too.