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Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
Home hot
()
Date: January 06, 2018 09:04AM
Sorta Cold Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How are those heat pumps doing this morning at 10
> degrees outside?
My new heat pump is kicking ass. It is still a cozy 74 degrees and the auxiliary heat still has not come on. These new heat pumps are absolutely fantastic!
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
Infra red heat
()
Date: January 06, 2018 09:08AM
House has oil burner that only worked when home inspection was done at sale.
Plus, the $300 yearly fee is bullshit.
All they ever do is change filter($20) and nozzle($12 on amazon).
The exhaust venting is horrible with more than 4 90degree bends, plus a reducer.
When the burner did work, I would get black soot near my vents.
Would work then not start.
Techs kept saying it was tank.
So, my ass used a Jerry Can with maybe 3gals of oil, less than 3ft from burner-still had prob of burner shutting down!!!!
Quoted $5500 for heat pump.
Too much $$$.
I’m running propane heaters, far infrared elec heaters on ceilings AND kerosene.
I’m burning treated heating oil in my kerosene heaters and the fumes are atrocious!
I have to cycle the propane heaters between kerosene heating, just to get rid of the diesel smell.
Insulation on house(built ‘55), is atrocious-cellulose in attic, itchy Corning pink in walls.
I wake up to a 55deg house every morning.
I needed to install a elec radiator heater in my laundry room, or my $1200 front load washer won’t work...”nF” code.
Forgot to mention my wood stove I installed 2 winters ago. Just the chimney for that was $1400.
Editors note:
Sealing the wood floors, above crawlspace, with 3 coats of polycrylic sealer has helped.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
Brain Cells Die When Not in Use
()
Date: January 06, 2018 09:34AM
jack jack Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> One thing for sure, fuck gas heat! That shit will
> kill you. Burning alive sucks!
You drive a car? Every one dies one way or another, sooner or later.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
vcnte
()
Date: January 06, 2018 09:56AM
Home hot Wrote:
------------------------------------------------------
>
> My new heat pump is kicking ass. It is still a
> cozy 74 degrees and the auxiliary heat still has
> not come on. These new heat pumps are absolutely
> fantastic!
Knew the moment the temps dropped below 20 that some troll would come on to boast about how well his fictitious heat pump was working. I have natural gas for the main part of the house. The addition has a heat pump, but it also has ducts from the main part of the house as well that are usually kept closed. I had to open them up when the temps dropped because the heat pump could not keep up.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
HomeOwner9
()
Date: January 06, 2018 10:08AM
HomeOwnerPerson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> HVAC Guy Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The best way to heat your home is with a
> > combination coal, oil, wood furnace. You can
> use
> > any one of these three fuels to heat your home.
> It
> > has been proven to be the most efficient, cost
> > effective and comfortable way to heat your
> home.
> > Many people in the DC metro area have been
> > converting their heat pumps or gas furnaces to
> > this type of system. This is very popular in
> the
> > northern US and Canada. I highly recommend it.
> The
> > upfront cost is similar to a gas furnace, but
> the
> > long-term savings make it worthwhile. I
> recommend
> > investigating it.
>
> We just had one of these installed and it is
> great. We are currently burning coal. Last month,
> we used oil. The coal is great in this frigid
> weather! We are really happy with this unit. Much
> better than gas.
I, too am surprised more people aren't going with this option. I had this system installed in our home (Burke) last year and it is great. The coal option is surprisingly affordable. If you ever run out of coal, it is a simple switch over to wood or oil. Really convenient. And the heat this puts out... wow. Super efficient and keeps our home really toasty. Even today when it is frigid.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
Hepburn
()
Date: January 06, 2018 10:22AM
Of course a coal or wood fire pumps out incredible heat. It's not like you can turn them off the moment the house reaches the desired temperature. All fossil fuels are inefficient because a certain amount of heat goes up the chimney. Coal and wood are more. So because they cannot stop and start depending on the temperatures. Plus they are higher maintenance than fuel oil, propane or natural gas.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
HVACguy13
()
Date: January 06, 2018 10:58AM
Hepburn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Of course a coal or wood fire pumps out incredible
> heat. It's not like you can turn them off the
> moment the house reaches the desired temperature.
> All fossil fuels are inefficient because a certain
> amount of heat goes up the chimney. Coal and wood
> are more. So because they cannot stop and start
> depending on the temperatures. Plus they are
> higher maintenance than fuel oil, propane or
> natural gas.
Not true. A triple fuel furnace like the one this person is talking about is incredibly efficient. Temperature is controlled by the fuel/air mixture and speed of the blower. It is actually more precise than your standard gas-fired furnace or heat pump.
I have installed quite a few of these in the NoVA area this year and I have heard nothing but glowing feedback. People love the flexibility, too! Most people stick with the coal, but the ability to switch over to wood or oil really appeals to homeowners.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
FFXU roadside assistance
()
Date: January 06, 2018 03:50PM
vcnte Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Home hot Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> ----
> >
> > My new heat pump is kicking ass. It is still a
> > cozy 74 degrees and the auxiliary heat still
> has
> > not come on. These new heat pumps are
> absolutely
> > fantastic!
>
> Knew the moment the temps dropped below 20 that
> some troll would come on to boast about how well
> his fictitious heat pump was working. I have
> natural gas for the main part of the house. The
> addition has a heat pump, but it also has ducts
> from the main part of the house as well that are
> usually kept closed. I had to open them up when
> the temps dropped because the heat pump could not
> keep up.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
ComfortablePerson8
()
Date: January 06, 2018 08:51PM
FFXU roadside assistance Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> vcnte Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Home hot Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > ----
> > >
> > > My new heat pump is kicking ass. It is still
> a
> > > cozy 74 degrees and the auxiliary heat still
> > has
> > > not come on. These new heat pumps are
> > absolutely
> > > fantastic!
> >
> > Knew the moment the temps dropped below 20 that
> > some troll would come on to boast about how
> well
> > his fictitious heat pump was working. I have
> > natural gas for the main part of the house.
> The
> > addition has a heat pump, but it also has ducts
> > from the main part of the house as well that
> are
> > usually kept closed. I had to open them up
> when
> > the temps dropped because the heat pump could
> not
> > keep up.
>
>
> It sounds like you are getting trolled.
Highly recommend the triple-fuel furnace people have been talking about in this thread. I have coal going right now and it is so warm in here! Really clean, too!
My neighbor has no idea I am burning coal just next door. Of course, I can burn wood or oil if my coal supply runs out. But the hopper looks really full, so I think I am good for the winter.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
FFXU roadside assistance
()
Date: January 07, 2018 08:15AM
ComfortablePerson8 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> FFXU roadside assistance Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > vcnte Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Home hot Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > ----
> > > >
> > > > My new heat pump is kicking ass. It is
> still
> > a
> > > > cozy 74 degrees and the auxiliary heat
> still
> > > has
> > > > not come on. These new heat pumps are
> > > absolutely
> > > > fantastic!
> > >
> > > Knew the moment the temps dropped below 20
> that
> > > some troll would come on to boast about how
> > well
> > > his fictitious heat pump was working. I have
> > > natural gas for the main part of the house.
> > The
> > > addition has a heat pump, but it also has
> ducts
> > > from the main part of the house as well that
> > are
> > > usually kept closed. I had to open them up
> > when
> > > the temps dropped because the heat pump could
> > not
> > > keep up.
> >
> >
> > It sounds like you are getting trolled.
>
> Highly recommend the triple-fuel furnace people
> have been talking about in this thread. I have
> coal going right now and it is so warm in here!
> Really clean, too!
>
> My neighbor has no idea I am burning coal just
> next door. Of course, I can burn wood or oil if my
> coal supply runs out. But the hopper looks really
> full, so I think I am good for the winter.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
FurnaceUser41
()
Date: January 07, 2018 08:39AM
Woke up again this morning to a warm, toasty house thanks to the coal. Probably going to go back to wood or maybe cut it over to start burning the oil soon. Temps are expected to rebound soon. But, as long as they are in the teens - coal it is!
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
WGL 4 u 2
()
Date: February 10, 2018 09:46AM
btu consumer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This was a very informative thread. I think the
> best answer for heating in Fairfax is the dual
> fuel heat pump. Use the heat pump 85% of the time
> and enjoy efficiency that a gas furnace cannot
> even come close to. Cut on that toasty warm gas
> furnace when the outdoor temps drop into the
> twenty's or any time you feel a chill and just
> want that blast of heat. Screw oil, it smells bad.
You got the exactly correct answer to the OP's question. That is the best way.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
drywall dan
()
Date: October 27, 2018 12:29PM
trust me Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> heat pumps are great for ac all summer and good
> for much of the winter (as long as temp above 30)
>
> backup heat with gas,propane is more economical
> and comfortable for temps below 30
>
> wood or pellet stove for the really cold nights is
> really comfortable
My inverter technology heat pump works well even at 9 degrees below zero outside. That's as low as I have tested it so far.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
Ganter lane
()
Date: December 09, 2018 01:20PM
drywall dan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> trust me Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > heat pumps are great for ac all summer and good
> > for much of the winter (as long as temp above
> 30)
> >
> > backup heat with gas,propane is more economical
> > and comfortable for temps below 30
> >
> > wood or pellet stove for the really cold nights
> is
> > really comfortable
>
>
> My inverter technology heat pump works well even
> at 9 degrees below zero outside. That's as low as
> I have tested it so far.
I have a Mitsubishi inverter technology heat pump. It has no backup heat and is rated at 73% capacity at 13 degrees below zero outside temperature. It uses so little power that I can run it off a portable generator during a power failure. I used to have gas heat but now I only have a gas water heater. My bills have never been lower and my house has never been more comfortable.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
Toasty Warm
()
Date: December 09, 2018 10:25PM
"Inverter Technology" = $$$ up front co$t in most ca$e$
For retrofitting most homes in this area, your best bet is a hybrid gas furnace/heat pump with a switchover set somewhere between 20 and 35 degrees F. The heat pump will do the job the vast majority of the time, but when the outside temps drop really low then the gas will cover you. If you don't have gas at your home, then you probably have an oil tank and in that case, you can run a hybrid oil furnace/heat pump. NOTHING heats faster than oil, and with a hybrid system you won't use much oil. Still more expensive than gas, but that oil heat is sweet! If you don;t have gas or an oil tank, then maybe you have propane and you can do a hybrid with that. Failing all that, you're down to a hybrid electric (coils)/heat pump system.
IF you are building a new home and can swing the up front cost, THEN maybe a Mistubishi ductless system with a heat pump could make sense.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
WDVUL
()
Date: December 10, 2018 01:10AM
Bear in mind that with dual fuel heatpump/furnace systems, the heatpump CANNOT run at the same time as the furnace.
Whereas with heatpump/electric resistance heat, the heatpump can run at the same time as the electric resistance heat.
If the furnace is oil or propane, this could end up costing more than if the backup heat were electric, especially if the installer didn't set the switchover temperature correctly (some seem to think heatpumps are completely useless below 35F, which isn't true).
Also, heatpumps with demand defrost are more efficient than those with fixed-interval defrost. Pretty much below about 25F the demand defrost ones won't go into defrost very often, if it all while the old fixed-interval ones are doing it every 60 or 90 minutes.
There's a company that makes a replacement demand-defrost control that costs about $90 and can retrofit a fixed-interval defrost control (the Emerson 47D01U-843 Universal Heat Pump Defrost Control).
That would probably pay for itself in a single winter.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
four systems here :)
()
Date: December 10, 2018 02:46AM
1) Old school hydronic baseboard powered by a gas boiler
2) Electric Heat Pump
3) Electric Supplemental Heat when it gets really cold
4) Wood fireplaces on the upper and lower levels
Haven't had occasion to use anything but 1) outside of testing scenarios, as its cheap, reliably, and comfortable :)
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
Toasty Warm
()
Date: December 10, 2018 11:45AM
WDVUL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bear in mind that with dual fuel heatpump/furnace
> systems, the heatpump CANNOT run at the same time
> as the furnace.
>
> Whereas with heatpump/electric resistance heat,
> the heatpump can run at the same time as the
> electric resistance heat.
>
> If the furnace is oil or propane, this could end
> up costing more than if the backup heat were
> electric, especially if the installer didn't set
> the switchover temperature correctly (some seem to
> think heatpumps are completely useless below 35F,
> which isn't true).
Good point a bout the crossover temp. I think most heat pumps will do quite fine at 35 without switching to aux heat, but not so great below 20. Carrier has a system where you can set a range for the crossover: a low temp below which the heat pump is not used and a high temp above which the aux heat is not used. In between it tries to use the heat pump but if the internal temperature takes too long to increase, then it will switch over to the aux heat. So you can set the low point at 20 degrees and the high point at 35 degrees and it will "intelligently" switch over in that range, depending on other factors.
You are also right about installers. I've seen them set the crossover at 40 degrees which is way too high, IMO. That is why God and AlGore gave us the Interwebs. You can find the installer's manual on-line for pretty much any system, and that will give you the "trick" (e.g., press and hold a certain button for ten seconds) to access ALL of the settings - not just the user-adjustable settings. You can then go in and set the crossover however you like. You can even do trial and error and keep adjusting the crossover until it works the way you like it.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
Ganter lane
()
Date: December 10, 2018 05:02PM
Toasty Warm Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Inverter Technology" = $$$ up front co$t in most
> ca$e$
>
> For retrofitting most homes in this area, your
> best bet is a hybrid gas furnace/heat pump with a
> switchover set somewhere between 20 and 35 degrees
> F. The heat pump will do the job the vast
> majority of the time, but when the outside temps
> drop really low then the gas will cover you. If
> you don't have gas at your home, then you probably
> have an oil tank and in that case, you can run a
> hybrid oil furnace/heat pump. NOTHING heats
> faster than oil, and with a hybrid system you
> won't use much oil. Still more expensive than
> gas, but that oil heat is sweet! If you don;t
> have gas or an oil tank, then maybe you have
> propane and you can do a hybrid with that.
> Failing all that, you're down to a hybrid electric
> (coils)/heat pump system.
>
> IF you are building a new home and can swing the
> up front cost, THEN maybe a Mistubishi ductless
> system with a heat pump could make sense.
My mitsubishi is ducted. It went right in where the gas furnace and A-C coil were ripped out. I do have a ductless mini-split in my bonus room over the garage but it is not inverter technology like my ducted system. I have a strip of baseboard electric heat in the bonus room as a backup but I have never needed to use it.
I am thinking of getting a desuperheater to preheat the water going to my gas water heater, looks like it will pay for itself but it might take a few years.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
Toasty Warm
()
Date: January 21, 2019 10:28AM
warmburger Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I had my doubts but my IT Mitsubishi kept my
> entire house at 73 degrees all night without any
> backup heat. These heat pumps are incredible.
That's terrific!
So what is the model of that IT Mistubishi heat pump? Is it the Mr. Slim P-Series, or something else?
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
The Flame Beats The Wire
()
Date: January 21, 2019 10:53AM
Gas warm natural gas turn the heat up and the temp moves up, heat pumps are for stupid Liberal Democrats that want to freeze and walk to work in frigid conditions to virtual signal for what or who ? Their neighbor their Facebook friends ! Who Cares ! Im warm with gas
Gas cheaper to repair and replace no brain needed just like on Nov 8th Trump was the only choice and that will repeat in 2020 unless pence runs then he will be the only choice and a excellent one
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
humid harry
()
Date: January 21, 2019 11:22AM
warmburger Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I had my doubts but my IT Mitsubishi kept my
> entire house at 73 degrees all night without any
> backup heat. These heat pumps are incredible.
Re: best way to heat your home in fairfax? gas oil or heat pump?
Posted by:
#2 oil
()
Date: December 01, 2019 10:17AM
BOCA code Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Soon laws will be in place to require any new home
> built below the Mason-Dixon line to be heated by a
> heat pump. These laws are way overdue.
Keep your laws off my oil fired boiler bro. Thanks.