http://www.bradenhomes.ca/blog Tue, 13 Mar 2012 07:35:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.bradenhomes.ca/blog/?p=55#comment-97 Rajesh Tue, 13 Mar 2012 07:35:43 +0000 http://www.bradenhomes.ca/blog/?p=55#comment-97 A new, zero energy home, by diifnetion will require very little heat. It does need some backup space heat, though, for those very cold times.The conventional wisdom of zero energy homebuilding has evolved to require electricity for this backup space heating. Gas, even if available, is out. (PV is the reason for this)To date, I have not found a true ground-coupled heat pump space heating and DHW system that can be installed for under $6000. Typically, they run $12,000 to $40,000.Therefore, by far the lowest life cycle cost for space heating is electric resistance, which can be up and running for as little as $200. The savings from a ground coupled heat pump won't be recouped before the equipment is worn out.Lower still might be a mini-split heat pump, or a PTAC, but it depends on the house."Green Builders" still doing ground-coupled heat pumps for new superinsulated construction are doing the whole industry a disservice.See www.100khouse.com A new, zero energy home, by diifnetion will require very little heat. It does need some backup space heat, though, for those very cold times.The conventional wisdom of zero energy homebuilding has evolved to require electricity for this backup space heating. Gas, even if available, is out. (PV is the reason for this)To date, I have not found a true ground-coupled heat pump space heating and DHW system that can be installed for under $6000. Typically, they run $12,000 to $40,000.Therefore, by far the lowest life cycle cost for space heating is electric resistance, which can be up and running for as little as $200. The savings from a ground coupled heat pump won’t be recouped before the equipment is worn out.Lower still might be a mini-split heat pump, or a PTAC, but it depends on the house.”Green Builders” still doing ground-coupled heat pumps for new superinsulated construction are doing the whole industry a disservice.See http://www.100khouse.com

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