Desuperheater

[red73]

Has anyone had any experience hooking up a desuperheater to a conventional heat pump and can verify the efficiency and performance. I can see how great they work on a geothermal but is it worth the install time and cost to be attached to a conventional system.

[heatpumpguru]

York made one along time ago,our FLA members should be able to help on this.

[ISOTHERMAL]

A desuperheater would need to be tied in to the refrigerant circuit on the compressor discharge line, This is normally outside on a conventional heatpump. This would mean that you would have water lines exposed outside, if you live in an area the see outdoor winter temps at or below freezing you will freeze your water lines. However at one time Carrier and possible some other manufactures built triple split heatpumps that the compressor was installed inside the conditioned structure. These units were also possible canidates for desuperheaters. I haven't seen one (a triple split) in years, I'm not sure if they are still manufactured. Groundsource heatpumps are indoor units that is why they are an option on them.

I have seen one desuperheater installed on a conventional heat pump. It was in the winter, it was froze and busted.

[kim]

I have seen several. They were all inside. The discharge line was run to the desuperheater then back to the condensor.

On mine, I have the compressor inside. Like the old Carrier tri-split systems. Problem with a desuperheater: my utility company charges a minimum for gas. The water heater saving can be eaten up by minimum charges sometimes.

[Corpsie]

Has anyone had any experience hooking up a desuperheater to a conventional heat pump and can verify the efficiency and performance. I can see how great they work on a geothermal but is it worth the install time and cost to be attached to a conventional system.

Do the manufacturer's even offer a desuperheater to attach to their units? If not, wouldn't a 3rd party attachment void the warranty?

I haven't got an A/C system in my house yet and have been hoping for a MFR to offer this option on a heat pump which wasn't a ground source.

[badbillr]

Isn't an E.C.U. ( hot water recovery unit ) a de-super heater as well. Uses the discharge gas to heat water for the household. Had one in my last house & it was great. I was able to turn off my (electric) hot water heater for 10 months out of the year.

[teddy bear]

Has anyone had any experience hooking up a desuperheater to a conventional heat pump and can verify the efficiency and performance. I can see how great they work on a geothermal but is it worth the install time and cost to be attached to a conventional system.
I hooked up a desuperheater to my heat pump many years ago. Heated water very good. Not enough a/c hours in the Mid-west to make it pay. Better in the south. Most a/c mfgrs. void warranty if desuperheater connected. Regards TB

[red73]

I am in south Arkansas and this where I primarily do my business. The ones I have looked at states that you can place the Desuperheater a maximum of 15 feet from the condensor. I talked to my Lennox rep and his take on the warranty was don't ask, don't tell.

[dash]

Not that they couldn't void the warranty,never had it happen.Carrier even had knock-outs in the cabinet to run the copper to and from the the Heat Recovery Unit(ECU/Desuperheaters).

Used to be thousands installed,even a sales tax credit for the enitre HVAC system,if an HRU was included,plus part of the energy code ,here if Florida.

Not many being installed today,as high SEER equipment,doesn't have the waste heat to make them worthwhile.

With 10 SEER and down,you could turn of your water heater,May to October.

[Corpsie]

Makes ya wonder if it's just better to get a desuperheater and a lower efficiency A/C...

[kim]

The trick with a desuperheater: don't condense freon. Even a freon mist travelling at high speeds is like sand blasting.