Polaris WH

[yeldogt]

Looks like a few years ago I see positive reviews of these units - wondering if that is still the case?

Would use a propane unit for HW as well as for back up coils in two HP's (possible small space radiant and maybe a towel warmer depending on $$)

-- also told it could heat the water from cold quickly as this is not a full time house -- we currently turn off the Oil WH when we are away. See any problems doing this?

This looks like a nice simple compact solution -- vs having an electric HW unit on all the time and having to provide another system for back-up for the HP's. I don't want to use an "on demand" HW unit. Only the two off us and guests occasionally -- we do have a jet tub that is occasionally used.

We use this house more in the winter time -- although only on the weekends. We have high propane costs (almost $3) as well as high electric rates PECO (.18 - .20). So a lot of the year I could turn off the unit. With the propane costs going all electric is almost a possibility .. although I'm getting different opinions on the actually crossover point. Electric would be simple.

I'm rebuilding my house and going crazy!

[catmanacman]

the polaris water heaters are nice units and work very well .the only thing is they do burn out ignitors from time to time

[yeldogt]

Thanks for the input. With no NG available I'm stuck with expensive alternatives -- so I have no choice but to get the best heat pumps available. I'm going to spray foam the whole place and install good windows to minimize the heat load .. but I still need a back up. I just don't want to get this system too complicated. With my old oil systems -- the service company had a set of keys!

I'm amazed how many different water heater designs are now available.

[motoguy128]

Propane is expensive enough, they you are no better off with Propane over electric heat strips in most cases. The advantage of propane would be for a tankless water heater if you have a high demand like for a soaking or whirlpool tub. But even then, you could just install 2 electric water heaters.

When you have propane, geothermal becomes a viable alternative. It will also generate most of your hot water very economically.

[yeldogt]

The Propane vs Electric is what I am trying to figure out. Drilling the wells for geothermal will be 60k -- don't see the payback. I have a 84% direct vent fan forced propane heater out in my 1800sf studio -- I keep it around 55% throughout the week and turn it up on the weekends ....... the problem is that if I conserve and only use 200 - 300 gallons of propane per year it costs me over 5 bucks a gallon plus a tank fee! This is my only propane experience other than camping -- it is cheaper to use electric at $5 propane.

So I am trying to understand how to figure out my future costs -- because it would be much easier to design the rebuild to just use electric.

[catmanacman]

1st buy your tank and get a big one ,that way you can shop for the best price and fill it while the price is down and not be at the mercy of a single supplier . in my opinion a polaris with a aqua coil in the supply duct that way the heat pump keeps running .

[yeldog]

One of the contractors -- not an HVAC guy -- mentioned that he had a 1k tank buried and purchases his own propane ... this has worked out well for him. Having a buried tank was recommended by my current propane company -- they would run the lines to the equipment for whatever heat I decide and to the new stove (presently electric) and out to the studio to replace the current 2x 100G tanks. I'm not going with a gas dryer. They own the tank.

I thought with electric back-up both the heat strips and the HP could work together - am I incorrect on that as I was about the furnace and the HP working together?

I have a neighbor who installed some radiant about 10 years ago in two of his bathrooms, the kitchen and also in the middle of his great room -- it is all connected to a small electric boiler. It is only used as a supplement and has worked out great -- and while he notices the difference in his bills when running often it is no more than what I had to pay to run all the motors for the oil setup -- my electric bill would go up well over $150.00 and that was the only change. He also uses electric for a standard water heater.