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I'm new here so please don't be to harsh if this is a repost or common knowledge to everyone else.
I'm about to start consturction in the spring on our new house (in Maryland) and I am setting appointments now with all subs and the only brand of geothermal system I can find is WaterFurnace Envision.
Who else has Geo Thermal systems?
Is there a site that has reviews/comparissions of the different systems.
Thanks!
climate master, econair. two that we use besides water furnace
GeoComfort and Hydron Module. Both are manufactured by Enertech Mfg.
Bergy
Florida Heat Pump FHP
Thanks for the replies.
We can get Waterfurnace although our rep is very slow to get back to us. FHP has one of the oldest branches in our city, therefore they are the orneriest to deal with. They do not answer questions well, some of their equipment has serious defects in my opinion. For example: a cupronickel coil that is connected with large, thin copper fitting that get eaten up at the slightest hint of sulphur. Why would you want a durable coil and have fittings that are absolutely weak?
Climatemaster apparently does not want to sell to us in Jacksonville FL, I have contacted them numerous times.:argue:
Three years ago we installed two Waterfurnace Versatec systems (dual zoned) for a new construction home. They have been under a maintenance agreement by the installer since they were installed. They cost about $30,000and up until recently, we were pleased with the systems.
A couple of weeks ago, in unseasonably cold weather, the downstairs unit stopped blowing hot air. The installer sent a technician. He said it was a coil leak in the compressor, and would cost $1,800 ($1,500 with the maintenance agreement discount) to replace. Two days later, the upstairs system did the same thing. The technician said it was also a manufacturing defect, and both were leaking in approximately the same place, from the sealed coils. We got a second opinion from another local Waterfurnace dealer. We were told the same thing. It was a manufacturing defect. The original installer called WF. They were told the part was made in Canada, so it was not their problem, they just put it into the unit. And the coils only had a 1 year warranty. Tough luck. The other local company called WF, too. Tough luck. We have replaced one unit ($1,500) and are waiting the week it takes for the part to come from Canada to replace the other 3-year old unit. Any cost savings in utility bills have gone up in smoke, plus, plus.
Waterfurance's literature about Versatec highlights how reliable the equipment is. Does this sound reliable? I understand this part is not unlike the coils on a refrigerator. My old Kenmore refrigerator ran for over twenty years. My new one is trouble-free after ten years. We would recommend and buy Kenmore again. No so with Waterfurnace. Not now. I am worried that the replacement coils on the Versatec systems will fail again.
My husband agrees it is a manufacturing defect. He is a professor of aerospace engineering at a large SE University and knows a bit about machinery. We are hanging onto the two defective parts, as I suspect these may not have been the only questionable units that came off the assembly line that day. There could be more coils that have failed or are about to fail, saddling the consumers with expensive repairs. Has anyone else had this problem?
If im not mistaken water furnace is also sold under different names as well.
I looked into selling them and never got a call back.
A knowledgeable tech with a well equipped shop can fabricate/install a gshp or wshp from component parts that likely will outperform the best of the commercial units for less that the commercial unit list price.
However, to get most rebates or incentives (which can be appreciable, aka $1500 or so) the unit usually has to be ARI rated, which limits selection to the production units where th mfg has paid big bucks for the testing.
A knowledgeable tech with a well equipped shop can fabricate/install a gshp or wshp from component parts that likely will outperform the best of the commercial units for less that the commercial unit list price.
My envision has a leaky air coil as well. But I have a ten year warranty. Yes I am disappointed that this has happened. My installer did mention that the replacement coils are noticably heavier than the ones originally installed. I really hope I get 20 years or more out of this thing.
Carrier.
We install lots of Climate Masters. I have not seen any major problems with their equipment. The small issues that we have had were handled very easily & quickly by our local water furnace dealer.Quote:
Originally Posted by crowl31
Water furnace has had problems with air coils for years. They can't seem to get it right.
Just remember, most warrantees only cover parts, not labor.
Hope this helps.