replace in-floor radiant with ducted heat pump in crawl space??

acustode · August 28

We have a newer 2300sf ranch home with a full crawlspace which is sealed and maintains temp of about 63 degrees. We live at 8300 in the CO mtns. Currently have in floor radiant heat and propane boiler. We love that it's quiet and feels good on our feet, but it uses a lot of propane and we don't have a/c (no ductwork) for those days that it's hot here. I am thinking about a sizable PV solar system and want to remove the boiler and instead use an electric heat pump with an air handler and ductwork installed in the crawl space. I know I'd be walking away from a perfectly functional radiant system, but I'd be getting an all electric heating AND cooling system and solar with battery backup. I don't want the wall register/heads, I have too much glass and hate the way they look and sound (I'm sound sensitive). Talk me into or out of my plan… Thanks for your professional insight, I really appreciate you!

pecmsg · 12:56AM

How's that work after a few days of no sun & blizzard conditions?

Keep the back up. The technology is not quite there……………….Yet.

Big Ed_4 · 2:04AM

I never seen a good heat pump or geothermal system without a back up .. As the temperature drops so does the efficiency . If you size for heat it will be over sized for cooling . Leave the boiler in and run it on low for a warm floor .. Turn it up on those cold nights or when you have to wait days for a part .. Good luck

hot_rod · 2:11AM

You could consider an air to water heat pump. That gives you radiant heat and & chilled water for the air handler. Keep the boiler for backup. No reason to abandon a working radiant.

With a low cooling load in that location, maybe even chill the floors for some cooling effect. Skip the ducted system.

How much LP for a typical winter? What size and type boiler?

Ideally a heating and cooling load calculation to see what you are up against.

replace in-floor radiant with ducted heat pump in crawl space??

Comments

Categories