Friday, 20 November 2020

Which heat pump to choose?

I live in Pac NW. Mild winters, didn't see one lower than 17.
We live in 2 story 4100 sf house with vaulted ceilings.
Heat source is 15 yo 5 ton Trane heat pump with heating strips as Aux source.
System is working but, already had blower replaced year ago and, it is very noisy. I refer to the outside unit. Accordingly, it is not much cost efficient either, particularly, when heat strips kick in.
We do not have NG supply. I upgraded my LP tank from 500g to 1000 g, as we just finished backup generator install. Otherwise, LP is used only for water heater and kitchen cook-top.
I slowly start looking into potential replacement to a new HP system.
I was suggested ducted heat pump, one linked to is just as example:
https://iwae.com/shop/4-to-5-ton-18-...xoC5-AQAvD_BwE

but then, I spoke with same HVAC guy yesterday and, he recommends dual fuel HP, with furnace, running on propane. Instead of electric strips, as Aux heat source. He had it installed for one of his buddies, with similar HVAC set up to ours, and believes, this will be better and more efficient.
Additional concern is that I have 20Kw backup generator. If I run my Trane as is, and heat strips kick in, they choke generator. Buddy of mine, on the other hand, has larger house and TWO new heat pumps and it all runs on identical generator without hiccup. What points towards those Trane heat strips pulling huge power demand. Unfortunately, we have power outages very frequently, particularly winter time and, I am not going to turn around and upgrade generator to say, 30Kw because of the 15 yo Trane.

What would forum recommend?

Thank you


source https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?2224059-Which-heat-pump-to-choose&goto=newpost

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