What Would You Install?

[lksmith]

Greetings,

I'm fortunate to own a mountain home in Western NC that sits pretty close to the top of a mountain. About 5,200 ft. MSL. It never really gets hot in the summer at that elevation and we don't even have an a/c. We do have a 94% AFUE propane furnace that does a great job of heating (it gets pretty cold in the winter--close to 0 degrees F). Ten years ago when this furnace was installed propane was half of what it is today. Currently I'm paying just over $1.50 per gallon. (Probably closer to $1.60 when you factor in the tank rental and all the other stuff.)

This is more of a hypothetical question since this furnace is not that old and running well. IF I had to replace it today, what would be the right way to go? Would you stick with just a very efficient multi-stage, V/S, propane powered furnace. Or, would you do a heat pump/dual fuel installation knowing that the cool side of the heat pump would rarely if ever get used. Or, is there some other option I haven't considered.

Maybe by the time this furnace dies there will be even more options. But I was just curious what would be appropriate at the present time with the currently HVAC technology.

Thanks for your ideas.

Larry Smith

[coolwhip]

Grandfather Moutain?

[chucko615]

A $1.60 a gallon, I'm paying $2.40 and was damn glad the get that price.

[lksmith]

Coolwhip,

It's actually Maggie Valley. About 45 miles west of Asheville. The area backs up to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

LKS

[mr big]

Since you have no need for air conditioning, I would just replace the furnace with a high efficiency furnace when the time comes. This opinion from one of your neighbors in East Tennessee.

[lksmith]

Thanks for the input there neighbor Mr. Big. Ain't the mountains grand!

LKS

[emcoasthvacr]

Other than Propane, what cheaper fuels do you have?

A nice fireplace or woodburning fixture might be a cost effective addition in your area -- especially when you snuggle up with your significant other.

[amd]

The life expectancy of a good quality furnace is 20 years.

You won't save any gas by getting a new furnace; 94% is about as efficient as they get.

Two stage units do not consume less fuel; they simply run longer cycles. (greater comfort)

Spend the money on more insulation and draftproofing. Then consider a secondary heat source such as a pellet or wood stove equipped with a catalytic converter. (more efficient)

[markwolf]

Originally posted by emcoasthvacr
Other than Propane, what cheaper fuels do you have?

A nice fireplace or woodburning fixture might be a cost effective addition in your area -- especially when you snuggle up with your significant other. Not here if you check with your home owners they want a pretty healthy increase to cover a wood burner.I always looked at they like this too.How much do you make an hour?How much time will you spend cutting,splitting,stacking wood & cleaning,spending time away from family,etc.?Now how much did it save you?lol!

[lksmith]

emcoasthvacr,
We really don't have any other options besides LP (and electricity). I do have a big and inefficient fireplace that we enjoy very much. I don't mind the fire wood issues when I want to, I'd just hate to do all the time.

amd,
I wasn't about the replace my current furnace. I was really asking a hypothetical question about whether there were mo' better options for the next time around (hopefully 10 or so years down the road).

Maybe the real question was simply whether it made any economic sense to add a heat pump installation (and thus go dual fuel) even though I would seldom ever use the cooling side of the heat pump.

Larry Smith

[bornriding]

Alright, I am sure that there are various possibilities here that might be helpful.
Just to show that I am a nice person, I will come up there & complete an energy management audit, to see what options are possible.
It would only take about two weeks....
Any good fishing spots close ( I think better when fishing )
I can come anytime between May & October....
I won't even charge you much....

Richard (Born in NC - loves the mountains )Been in maggie valley many times.

[lksmith]

Oh darn, it's November already!

[emcoasthvacr]

I have plenty of trees and a chainsaw on my Atlanta suburbs property, so I don't mind trying to lose a few pounds lol. I might be wierd, but I actually enjoy the hard work.

Our parents have a woodburner in the basement in the Northeast where the utility bills are ridiculous, and it helps keep the bills down tremendously.




Originally posted by markwolf

Originally posted by emcoasthvacr
Other than Propane, what cheaper fuels do you have?

A nice fireplace or woodburning fixture might be a cost effective addition in your area -- especially when you snuggle up with your significant other. Not here if you check with your home owners they want a pretty healthy increase to cover a wood burner.I always looked at they like this too.How much do you make an hour?How much time will you spend cutting,splitting,stacking wood & cleaning,spending time away from family,etc.?Now how much did it save you?lol!