Here's a tough one

will smith_4

I've got more friends than not that are Nam Vets,(not to mention family members) ,and new ones from our current incursion. One common vein-they don't want freebies. I tell 'em, work I do for you at little/no charge aint a freebie-I call it payment for a job you did that some politician didn't want to send their kids to do. I served time in the service(Just a Regular Army A**hole) like others in my family, like others on The Wall. I'd do anything for a Vet that can't afford service work at their house. I know I'm not alone. Put up the balloon-what do they need? We'll get it done

S Ebels

Looking for ideas

This customer contacted me initially with a request for a GSHP. I went to his house to scope it out as it sounded like a mish mash collection of whatever worked as far as HVAC was concerned.

The guy is a Vietnam vet and has MS to the point where he can't load his wood boiler anymore. When it's hot out the MS really kicks in and wrecks his ability to function at all. He says it's just like everything siezes up and he can't move. A/C is mandatory. Really nice guy and I feel so sorry for him dealing with that infirmity.

He has a fairly new home (<30 years old) and the HVAC is a true collection of everything. Main heating for the house is a baseboard system that does not have any too much fin tube. Probably just adequate. The present boiler is a standard Burnham CI with standing pilot and it's tied into the outdoor wood burner via plate HX. On the cooling side he has a Carrier 2T air handler connected to a decent duct system that is sized for exactly that amount of airflow. The upper level (second story) of the house is cooled by a portable A/C unit on one side and a small split on the other. Probably don't total 1 1/2T between the two of them.

He'd like to go with a GSHP as originally requested but his duct system won't carry the 4-5T required air flow. It would be nearly impossible to get any duct at all up to the second floor without major demo and reconstruction of the house interior. He's also on a pretty small lot so the ground loops would have to be vertical meaning lot's of $$.$$.

I'm thinking that if his cooling setup is doing the job he should leave that alone. For the heating side I'm thinking about a mod/con boiler to replace the Burnham. Nothing wrong with it as it sits but he's concerned about LP gas costs to run it. In all cases that I have replaced an "old fashioned boiler with a M/C type, the building owners have reported saving of 25-40%. It's probably the best we can hope for given the limited options for anything else but I'm looking for any other ideas y'all may have. Let me hear whatever pops into your head.

Mad Dog_2

Alot of guys would've walked away

from this Steve. Not us! Obviously, he's not loaded but is there some budget to work with? Can he deal with some boxing out and soffits? I would be very honest and ask that question. He wants GSHPs but does he have a concept of the cost involved? I Believe VVA (Vietnam Vets of America), DAV, (Disabled American Vets)do have some grants available to help out. Mad Dog

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hr

Why?

does he want to go to the heat pump? Operating costs or comfort?

It might be better to sell and build or buy a new home, with many other features geared to his health issues. Not trying to be a rude, but I'd bet someone would like a home with wood fired ability and he could find or build the home he really needs and wants.

Pencil some numbers and see if it works out to add that much of an upgrade and investment to his current home. The operating savings may not pay back?

hot rod

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