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Air Source Heat Pumps

AFFORDABLE and EFFICIENT technology

Co-op members Mike and Jennifer Walz built a house in north Bismarck using a Hallowell air-source heat pump. Mike wanted lower electric bills and greater energy efficiency. Jennifer appreciated the opportunity to “go green.”

Are you building a new home or remodeling an existing
business in electric cooperative service area—and you’ve considered trying the ground-source heat pump—but just can’t cough up the cash for the initial investment?

In the spirit of innovation and accountability to member-owners, two Touchstone Energy® cooperatives are introducing the latest and greatest technology to their members. Capital Electric and Mor-Gran-Sou Electric are suggesting a new type of air-source heat pump that is specifically designed for cold-air climates—found right here in North Dakota!

Air-source heat pumps have been around for a long time. So you may be asking, what’s so great about this new one? How will it save me money?

• The Hallowell air-source heat pump works well in very cold climates. Older heat pumps lose their ability to produce heat around 20 degrees, requiring a backup source such as a plenum heater. With this new technology, the plenum won’t supplement service until the temp reaches approximately 15 below—while maintaining an operating efficiency of 200 percent.

• The new pump has been tested over the past three years, and proven to work efficiently and effectively.

• Air-source heat pumps cost less than geothermal to install because they don’t require the drilling of wells.

• The Hallowell pump comes with a five-year limited warranty; same as the ground-source heat pump. Hallowell stands behind its product. If a unit has a defect, members can contact their electric cooperative, heating and air conditioning contractor, or Hallowell to resolve the issue.

• The pump typically comes with a plenum heater. In the unlikely event the air-source heat pump would malfunction, the plenum would serve as a back-up system. The consumer would never be out of service.

• The heat pump allows members to qualify for their co-op’s electric heat rates.

• Electric heat is still cheaper than propane or natural gas.

Two co-op families recently researched the Hallowell air-source heat pump and chose to try this new technology. Mike and Jennifer Walz, Capital Electric Cooperative members, are building a new house in north Bismarck. Greg and Cheryl Pollert, Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative members, retrofitted their home in north Mandan. Read why they chose this new technology—and what they can expect from their utility bills in the future.

Josh Schaffner, member services assistant for Capital Electric, explained to Mike why he needs two meters and panels: one for general service (TV, lights, appliances); the other is for heat (the pump, plenum and possible garage heat).

Building from scratch

Teachers Mike and Jennifer Walz bought a lot in the Horizon Heights subdivision in north Bismarck. Jennifer says they decided to build a new home because their family needed more space and they liked the convenience of the area. It allows their three school-aged children to walk to Horizon Elementary School, and provides a guest room for Mike’s teenage son during breaks from college.

The couple hired Jennifer’s dad as their contractor and started building their dream home this spring. Both her dad and brother have ground-source heat pumps, so initially Mike and Jennifer wanted to try geothermal. But when they ran the numbers and totaled up the investment, they decided the cost—especially the drilling of the wells—was too much, too soon. They needed another alternative.

Mike contacted Josh Schaffner, member services assistant at Capital Electric Cooperative. They met and went over the house plan together, assessing the proposed number of doors and windows, and how well the home would be insulated. This gave Josh an idea of how much heat loss Mike could expect, and what type of electric heat product might best heat and cool the new house.

Because Mike was interested in heat pumps but couldn’t justify the geothermal investment, Josh told him about a new air-source heat pump that was designed for cold climates. They talked about the proven research, warranty and monthly utility bills that would resemble what Mike and Jennifer always wanted—geothermal.

After their meeting, Mike went home and surfed the Web at www.gotohallowell.com/heatpump.html. After reading more about the new technology, he called Josh, asked more questions and ordered a new air-source heat pump.

“I talked to Josh several times, and I really liked him. That made all the difference, really. I can read books or find information on the Internet, but personal recommendations go a long way,” Mike says.

Mike estimates he paid about $5,000more for the Hallowell heat pump than he might have spent on a conventional furnace and air-conditioning system. While it’s still a chunk of change, he says he believes his investment will pay off in a few years; especially with the escalating price of propane and natural gas.

To pay for the pump, Mike applied for an Energy Resource Conservation loan through Capital Electric Cooperative.

“We’re not sure if we’re going to use it, but it’s nice to have it as an option. The loan through Capital Electric really made this heat pump attractive and affordable,” he says.

Mike and Jennifer hope to move into their new home in August. They anticipate the house will be finished in November or December—just in time for cold months, and hopefully lower electric bills.

Retrofitting: an economical alternative

Greg and Cheryl Pollert always wanted a ground-

Employed by Cooling and Heating Unlimited for 13 years, Mor-Gran-Sou member Greg Pollert recently retrofitted his home with a Hallowell air-source heat pump.

Their house in north Mandan was built in themid-1970s; they bought it in 1988.When they moved in, Greg hooked up a coal furnace next to the forced electric. It probably saved them some money—but it added a messy responsibility.

He and Cheryl decided to retrofit their home with a ground-source heat pump in the fall of 2007. Greg contacted a well driller to dig holes for the geothermal system, but they ran into some obstacles: the sewer and water lines.

“If you get too close to those, you can actually freeze those when you draw heat from the ground,” Greg explains. He quickly moved on to his next best option: the air-source heat pump. Greg contacted Hallowell and asked some technical, tough questions. He soon was convinced this new technology would be an economical alternative.

While on the job at Cooling and Heating Unlimited, Greg services furnaces and air conditioners, refrigerators and ice machines. Because he had the technical knowledge and ability, he installed his new Hallowell heat pump himself in November.

“This pump actually works better as a retrofit than a ground-source heat pump. The key to success is making sure you have the right-sized duct work and appropriate electric service,” he says.

So far, Greg says he’s satisfied with the pump’s performance. He says so, in recognizing he invested some serious dollars on a top-of-the-line product. And yet, he still hasn’t reached his comfort level at home.

“My wife and I still fight over the thermostat,” he says with a laugh. “Cheryl likes it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer; I like it a little cooler in the winter because it’s cheaper.”

He pauses, and adds as an afterthought, “She wins, of course.”

HOW THE AIR-SOURCE HEAT PUMP WORKS:

The technology in an air-source heat pump is similar to a kitchen refrigerator. Using a simple cycle, refrigerators remove heat from food and drinks, and reject it into the kitchen. This is why the coils on the back of the refrigerator feel warm. This process of moving heat is achieved by taking advantage of the energy stored and released when a refrigerant changes from a liquid to a gas.

Similarly, a heat pump can move heat into or out of your home. In the summer, the pump acts like a standard air conditioner, moving heat from inside the home outdoors. In the winter; the pump captures heat from the outdoors and moves it inside. As temperatures get colder, condensation forms on the heat pump and the pump goes into defrost mode. The backup plenum heater then kicks on to keep the house warm until the pump is ready to function again.

Air-source heat pump pros:
• When temps are above zero, Hallowell technology is around 300 percent efficient.
• When temps are well below zero, Hallowell technology is still 200 percent efficient.
• Air-to-air pumps are more economical to install than a geothermal system, although they are not as efficient.

Air-source heat pump cons:
• Standard air-source heat pumps cost about $600 more than a central air system; the Hallowell pump costs considerably more.

Josh Schaffner, member services assistant for Capital Electric, says an air-source heat pump is a great option for anyone building a new home or office in co-op service areas, or for those who want to retrofit existing space to improve efficiency and save money.

“You can see the same effect all across the energy industry—the cost of energy is rising. We have already seen substantial increases in the cost of propane and gasoline, and electric rates are going to rise too. It’s more important now than ever for our members to get the best energy value for their investment dollar, and heat pumps are currently the best way to do that,” he says.

For more information on the air-source heat pump or other electric heat products, call Josh at Capital Electric today at (701) 223-1513.

Biggest bang for the buck

WhileMor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative member Greg Pollert appreciates his top-of-the-line Hallowell heat pump, he advises the average consumer to consider a “regular” air-source heat pump. He learned a lot about pumps by researching the Internet, and says regular pumps are a cheaper investment that will produce the greatest return for the money.

Regular air-source heat pumps continue to improve in efficiency and utilize newer electronics for defrosting. This allows them to heat a home or business down to 10 degrees, or even zero.

“The difference between an air conditioner and a heat pump is something like $600. If you’re building a house, you need air conditioning anyway. Just spend the extra bucks.” Pollert believes those extra bucks will be worth it.

Capital Electric offers ERC loans to qualified members

Last year, 15 to 20member households took advantage of Capital Electric’s Energy Resource Conservation (ERC) loan program. This year, more than 10 are in progress.

If you’re a Capital Electric member who is interested in installing a high-efficiency electric heating and/or air-conditioning systems or other energy-saving products, you might be eligible to qualify for an ERC loan!
• Air conditioning loans can be financed up to $1,500 for two years at 6 percent interest.
• Heat pump systems can be financed up to $15,000 for seven years at 5 percent interest.
• Other heating systems can be financed up to $5,000 for five years at 6 percent interest.
• Financing is also available to members who wish to improve efficiency on windows, doors and insulation.

Josh Schaffner, member services assistant for Capital Electric, says members should consider using this program because the rate may be lower than most home-improvement loan rates and mortgage rates. “In addition, if Capital Electric gains any profits from these loans, the profits are later distributed back to the members in the form of capital credits, some members see their interest returned to them throughout their credit years,” he says.

For more information on the co-op’s ERC loan program, call Josh at Capital Electric today at (701) 223-1513.