Comparing Apples to Apples in Ground Source Quotes

[jmueller]

I live in Maryland and have two proposals for retrofit geothermal units replacing forced air heat pumps. My home was remodeled in 1989. It is two floors around 2700 square feet and plan to add another 200 sq ft in two years. Both contractors know this. Their proposals include modifying existing ductwork for the new unit. The prices are pretty different and the installers suggest two different equipment manufacturers. I'd appreciate some advice on which proposal seems best.

Proposal 1 - Water Furnace PO28 Premier 2 ton package heat pump, NSZ030 Envision 2.5 ton splt heat pump, Trane air handler on second floor, emergency backup resistance heat unit, 2 thermostats, 1 desuperheater, 2 flow centers. Price includes ground loop well drilling. Options: hot water storage tank a few hundred dollars, Model 2200 air cleaner under 1,000, Aprilaire 600 humidifier 150 less than Proposal 2.

Proposal 2 - one 2.5 ton Florida Heat Pump EV030, one Florida Heat Pump EV030-1-CS 2.5 ton split system, Trane air handler, Honeywell thermostat, 2 flow centers, 2 Honeywell F100 air cleaners. Well drilling extra. Options - Aprilaire 600 humidifier 150 over Proposal 1, water heater 4,200 over Proposal 1.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

[tcktech]

Have your contractors done manual J load calculations?

[jmueller]

I'm not sure. They have not told me if they have. What would that tell me?

[ISOTHERMAL]

I live in Maryland and have two proposals for retrofit geothermal units replacing forced air heat pumps. My home was remodeled in 1989. It is two floors around 2700 square feet and plan to add another 200 sq ft in two years. Both contractors know this. Their proposals include modifying existing ductwork for the new unit. The prices are pretty different and the installers suggest two different equipment manufacturers. I'd appreciate some advice on which proposal seems best.

Proposal 1 - Water Furnace PO28 Premier 2 ton package heat pump, NSZ030 Envision 2.5 ton splt heat pump, Trane air handler on second floor, emergency backup resistance heat unit, 2 thermostats, 1 desuperheater, 2 flow centers. Price includes ground loop well drilling. Options: hot water storage tank a few hundred dollars, Model 2200 air cleaner under 1,000, Aprilaire 600 humidifier 150 less than Proposal 2.

Proposal 2 - one 2.5 ton Florida Heat Pump EV030, one Florida Heat Pump EV030-1-CS 2.5 ton split system, Trane air handler, Honeywell thermostat, 2 flow centers, 2 Honeywell F100 air cleaners. Well drilling extra. Options - Aprilaire 600 humidifier 150 over Proposal 1, water heater 4,200 over Proposal 1.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Proposal 1 says "price includes ground Loop well drilling"

Proposal 2 says "Well drilling extra"

So if you go with Proposal 2, you will need to come up with the extra $$$ for drilling.


A "manual J" is a load calculation, in which the construction methods of your home is entered. If it is entered acurately it will tell the contractor the BTU loss or gain of your home, that way he will know what size of system to install.

[jmueller]

Both contractors have done manual J load calculations. The water furnace guy now recommends a NSZ036. He says his equipment is more efficient than the Florida Heat Pump. Both have good recommendations and quotes are fairly close. So it really comes down to which unit is going to out perform the other over the long term. Which is the better unit?
I've seen the comparison from 4 years ago. But FHP has since been bought by Bosch. They have a pretty good rep. What do folks suggest?