ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, May 19, 1996 TAG: 9605210123
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: cut your utility bill
SOURCE: JAMES DULLEY
Q: I should replace my old noisy, inefficient heating and air-conditioning system. Will a ground-source heat pump really provide $3 of free heat for each $1 on my utility bills? How comfortable is it year-round?
A: A ground-source heat pump is an extremely efficient year-round system. Over its life, this heat pump can save the typical family more than $10,000 on utility bills as compared to installing a standard system. If you have an old gas furnace, it may make economic sense to add a ground-source heat pump.
For each $1 on your monthly utility bills, a ground-source heat pump draws an additional $3 of free heat from the earth. In effect, it uses your yard as a giant solar collector to provide heat for your home in the winter.
The heating comfort with a ground-source heat pump is excellent. The "chilly' feeling, common with ordinary heat pumps, is eliminated. Cooling output is strong and steady.
For the greatest comfort and improved air quality (for allergy sufferers), choose one of several new two or three-output level models. These constantly fine tune the heating and cooling output to the need of your house.
In the summer, a ground-source heat pump switches to a super-efficient central air-conditioner. As it is cooling your home, it heats your hot water for free. With an optional heat exchanger, it can heat your water four times more efficiently in the winter too.
A ground-source heat pump actually recycles the heat energy in your home. In the winter, it draws heat out of the ground making it cooler. In the summer, the heat pump reverses and exhausts the heat to the cool ground for use next winter.
Most ground-source heat pumps work by circulating a water/antifreeze solution through small plastic pipes buried in the ground. Since the ground is warmer than the outdoor air in the winter and cooler in the summer, efficiency is high.
Ground-source heat pumps are reliable. The entire unit is located indoors (no noisy outdoor condenser fan is needed) so it is protected from the weather. It is a very simple device with few moving parts to wear out.
Some ground-source heat pumps use two-speed compressors to provide two output levels. Other models use two separate small compressors (just one or both run). For ultimate comfort and efficiency, three-level models use one small and one medium size compressor. Either just the small, the medium or both run.
Write for Update Bulletin No. 614 showing a buyer's guide of 13 single, two or three-level ground-source heat pumps listing heating/cooling outputs, efficiencies, compressor type, blower speeds, features, prices, operating cost comparison chart and ground loop layouts. Please include $2 and a business-size SASE. James Dulley, The Roanoke Times, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45244.
Q: I am adding a first-floor bathroom on my family room. My house is airtight and I do not want to make any more wall penetrations than is necessary. How can I vent the new plumbing?
A: Installing a small air admittance valve (AAV) can take the place of running a standard plumbing vent pipe up through the roof. AAV's have been used for many years in Europe and are just gaining acceptance here.
An AAV is a 6-inch high valve that allows air to enter the drain system, but it does not allow smelly sewer gases to exhaust. It costs $20 to $30 at plumbing supply outlets.
Ground-source heat pumps use free energy from the ground.|
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