Building a 2,600 square foot home in Sunbury, Ohio, outside of Columbus, on 2.6 acres. Will be two story with a basement. It has been recommended to install a horizontal 4 ton system using a Bryant GT model, 2 stage variable speed geo system. It will include 4 zone dampers, circulating pump, and hot water assist. I have also been told that a water furnace is the best out there. The Bryant system quoted has a 32 EER which seems higher than the water furnace. I don't know what would be the best route but we are definitely going with geo. The price given was $24,985 before tax credit and incentives. Is this a good investment price? Thanks for any advice.
There is much we don't know so it's hard to comment. There is little difference between a 2 stage Climatemaster (Bryant) and a WFurn 2 stage. There is also little difference in operating cost between a 22 and a 32 EER often less than $100/yr. We don't suggest folks focus on EER. Focus on who you buy it from. Get the right installer and everything else will take care of itself. I'm suspicious of 4 zones on a 4 ton in a 2600 SF house.....they better really know what they are doing
Thanks. I trust the installer as they have 30 years of experience and are well reputed. Why do you say that the 4 zone system may not be ideal? They said it would be more efficient and that we would have two thermostats with one being on the first floor and one on the second to control levels. I didn't think a 2,600 square foot house would have that much trouble with efficient air flow? What would you suggest? No zones? Thanks for your insight. You don't know what you don't know so your feedback helps a lot.
A four ton unit in first stage will require most of 1200 CFM. If only one zone is open, that may not be very efficient with too many subdivisions. Some geo guys with 30 years of experience are not abrest of modern design/best practices
JB, I bought a geothermal system from a company that has been in business since 1950. They have (or had) tv advertising, 6 foot tall signs in front of houses they where they were doing installs, and a convincing sales pitch. It has been close to 4 years and I still don't have an efficiently working/correctly installed system. Get references. Make sure the references are geothermal customers, make sure they've had the system for at least a few years.
How do you have 4 zones with only 2 thermostats? Waterfurnace has a zoning system which scales down to 25% minimum. Climatemaster does not as far as I know. With 4 zones, they really must know what they are doing. Something does not add up.
Update here. it's a 2 zone system with 4 zone dampers from the first installer proposal. I did receive a second proposal from our builder's sub today. What they sent is below. It's a much lower investment, $14K, compared to the first proposal of $24K. However, it's a vertical system, 3 ton, which is probably why it's so much cheaper as the first was a 4 ton system, horizontal closed. I'm clarifying with them if they think a 3 ton system will suffice for a 2,650 square foot house, if there' s a hot water assist with the system, and if it's an open or closed loop system he's quoting. "We agree to furnish and install with all necessary ductwork, registers and grilles per Airtron’s design: (quote includes Zone controls, Media filter, 7 day programmable stat, bath fans, bath & dryer venting): Equipment: One (1) Climatemaster Tranquility 22 Digital – Variable Speed, Dual Stage 23.4 EER / 4.0 COP, 3 ton+, Geothermal Unit model #TZV036 (36,000 Btuh) cooling capacity - Variable Speed ECM fan motor - Variable Speed Loop pump - Dual Stage scroll compressor with R410a refrigerant - MERV 8 pleated filter - 10 year parts warranty & 5 year labor allowance - All necessary pumps, controls, hoses, etc - 2 zone electronic control system – basement & 1st floor / 2nd floor Geothermal Loop System (Vertical wells): 3 ton vertical geothermal loop system Price: $14,676
you better get references and vist their job sites. That is virtually below my cost. It is also a less expensive unit. I pay most of 9K for three tons of vertical loops so you do the math on what's left after they buy the other parts. Who's Airtron?
I am building 2600 sf house with Schumacker, we are interesting into geothermal and only hear about geosource one. Need advise and help. Thanks
Hey JB we live a bit north of you in Galion. We have a 6ton waterfurnace system heating/cooling our 3200sqft home. We have been real pleased but a colleague has had nothing but trouble with their system (differentinstaller different brand system). I second the previous comments about a TRUSTED INSTALLER. These are complex systems and the calculations need to be done correctly. I would look closely at previous installs and request references so you can call and inquire about efficiency/comfort of past installs. I would also consider installing some sort of monitoring software as well from the start like Web Energy Logger. ..my two cents. You came to the right place. The people that chimed in before me have the best knowledge you can find in this field. Andrew
