For all the amazing specs, there might be issues
My original plan was to install one of these systems. I've contacted 42 HVAC companies. About 10 either did not service my area or did commercial exclusively. Fine, but the rest? Of them, only 1 is willing to quote on the Acadia. I came across this company at the Green Living Show (2010), as the proprietor was at the booth with Hallowell. He seems great. As for the Zuba-Central, a few said they might be able to quote on it, but no one had any experience.
Photo Credit: twicepix
In general, companies wanted to sell either the one major brand they carried, that's it. And they definitely tried to steer me away from heat pump technology. I'll relate one little story.
I found one company that advertised online that they carried the Acadia, so I contacted them and met a sales guy. He said they would quote on it as well as a gas furnace, but a few days later when I followed up the story changed: the sales guy said he would not provide a quote on the Acadia, as they had too many problems with the ones already installed. Wondering if this was the typical "I just want to quote you on a gas furnace" mentality coming through, I called a manager at this same company and she confirmed that its true, they no longer carry the Acadia. The reason she gave is that it has had problems working at low temperatures. However I do take this with a grain of salt as everyone I've actually met at this company is completely incompetent (that's screwing up two different energy audits and one sales guy who is a complete air conditioning troubleshooting donkey).
When I get pricing or more info I'll definitely share these. In the meantime, I'm still deciding exactly what to do...
UPDATE: We've decided to go with what we know best, and super insulate our home. Then we'll use electric in floor heat, embedded electric resistance wall fans, along with solar thermal collectors for space heating. This combo is nice and low tech and allows us to invest in what we are most certain will last and give us a good payback (air sealing and insulation). For more on why we choose to renovate green, see here on the benefits of green buildings.
For info on pricing I found this Q+A with Hallowell that puts a typical install cost at 10-14k.
Also, based on comments from readers I decided to try to contact Hallowell.... Its been months I've been waiting for a response, so I don't expect to hear back. Seems like Hallowell's problems are pretty widespread now, with even the units at Fort Dix-McGuire Air Force base in New Jersey are reported to have problems (30% of them!).
This lens was written by @unexpcontractor. For more on my unusual adventures check out my blog!
http://hubpages.com/living/air-source-heat-pumps-for-cold-weather
My original plan was to install one of these systems. I've contacted 42 HVAC companies. About 10 either did not service my area or did commercial exclusively. Fine, but the rest? Of them, only 1 is willing to quote on the Acadia. I came across this company at the Green Living Show (2010), as the proprietor was at the booth with Hallowell. He seems great. As for the Zuba-Central, a few said they might be able to quote on it, but no one had any experience.
Photo Credit: twicepix
In general, companies wanted to sell either the one major brand they carried, that's it. And they definitely tried to steer me away from heat pump technology. I'll relate one little story.
I found one company that advertised online that they carried the Acadia, so I contacted them and met a sales guy. He said they would quote on it as well as a gas furnace, but a few days later when I followed up the story changed: the sales guy said he would not provide a quote on the Acadia, as they had too many problems with the ones already installed. Wondering if this was the typical "I just want to quote you on a gas furnace" mentality coming through, I called a manager at this same company and she confirmed that its true, they no longer carry the Acadia. The reason she gave is that it has had problems working at low temperatures. However I do take this with a grain of salt as everyone I've actually met at this company is completely incompetent (that's screwing up two different energy audits and one sales guy who is a complete air conditioning troubleshooting donkey).
When I get pricing or more info I'll definitely share these. In the meantime, I'm still deciding exactly what to do...
UPDATE: We've decided to go with what we know best, and super insulate our home. Then we'll use electric in floor heat, embedded electric resistance wall fans, along with solar thermal collectors for space heating. This combo is nice and low tech and allows us to invest in what we are most certain will last and give us a good payback (air sealing and insulation). For more on why we choose to renovate green, see here on the benefits of green buildings.
For info on pricing I found this Q+A with Hallowell that puts a typical install cost at 10-14k.
Also, based on comments from readers I decided to try to contact Hallowell.... Its been months I've been waiting for a response, so I don't expect to hear back. Seems like Hallowell's problems are pretty widespread now, with even the units at Fort Dix-McGuire Air Force base in New Jersey are reported to have problems (30% of them!).
This lens was written by @unexpcontractor. For more on my unusual adventures check out my blog!
http://hubpages.com/living/air-source-heat-pumps-for-cold-weather