How to get the HVAC advice I need?
April 27, 2024 6:29 PM Subscribe
My hot water boiler (for my heating system) is likely nearing the end of its life. I’m also interested in adding a heat pump someday for cooling and shoulder-season heat. But, maybe I should save my money and move to a heat pump sooner for everything. Who do I need to hire or what do I need to ask for to have someone take a close look at my home and advise on the best approach?
I’m a new homeowner. The house is heated by hydronic baseboard heaters run by a 46-year-old boiler. Currently, there is no AC. Other house details: single-story with attic access. There is some insulation that I’m planning on improving this summer (along with weatherization/air sealing) before doing anything with HVAC.
The boiler is showing its age, and for safety reasons I’d like to replace it no matter what before next winter. My original plan was to weatherize this summer, and then replace the boiler with a HE condensing boiler. After that, I would need to allow my savings to recover, but eventually I would add mini-splits for cooling in the summer and spring/fall heat, only using the boiler in the coldest part of winter.
However, I’ve heard that heat pumps are getting better and better, and I’m wondering if it makes more sense to just go straight to the heat pump for everything with some sort of electric resistance backup.
I am located in Minnesota, so cold weather is definitely a thing! I am interested in energy efficiency, and plan to electrify everything else as things need replacing. But, I also want to be realistic about heating.
My question isn’t necessarily which approach to take, but how to find someone with the expertise to advise as to the best approach for my specific house. I had an energy audit done, and it was very useful! But, the advisers could only walk me through the pros and cons of each decision more generally.
I know the answer is almost certainly HVAC person, but I’m not sure what to ask for. This is complicated by the fact that the choosing a contractor/getting estimates process feels opaque to me still! Most of the contractors I’ve had recommended by friends/neighbors offer free estimates, but I’m worried that a free estimate will be more focused on the specifics of replacing/installing a system rather than figuring out the best approach for my house. Is there another type of home energy advisor in between the energy audit and HVAC installation? Or something specific I should ask for/pay from from an HVAC company?
Finally, any tips for choosing someone who is knowledgeable about heat pumps and energy efficiency and won’t try to talk me out of heat pumps from the start?
Oh, and yes, I am aware of the IRA tax credits, (eventual) rebates, and Rewiring America site.
I’m a new homeowner. The house is heated by hydronic baseboard heaters run by a 46-year-old boiler. Currently, there is no AC. Other house details: single-story with attic access. There is some insulation that I’m planning on improving this summer (along with weatherization/air sealing) before doing anything with HVAC.
The boiler is showing its age, and for safety reasons I’d like to replace it no matter what before next winter. My original plan was to weatherize this summer, and then replace the boiler with a HE condensing boiler. After that, I would need to allow my savings to recover, but eventually I would add mini-splits for cooling in the summer and spring/fall heat, only using the boiler in the coldest part of winter.
However, I’ve heard that heat pumps are getting better and better, and I’m wondering if it makes more sense to just go straight to the heat pump for everything with some sort of electric resistance backup.
I am located in Minnesota, so cold weather is definitely a thing! I am interested in energy efficiency, and plan to electrify everything else as things need replacing. But, I also want to be realistic about heating.
My question isn’t necessarily which approach to take, but how to find someone with the expertise to advise as to the best approach for my specific house. I had an energy audit done, and it was very useful! But, the advisers could only walk me through the pros and cons of each decision more generally.
I know the answer is almost certainly HVAC person, but I’m not sure what to ask for. This is complicated by the fact that the choosing a contractor/getting estimates process feels opaque to me still! Most of the contractors I’ve had recommended by friends/neighbors offer free estimates, but I’m worried that a free estimate will be more focused on the specifics of replacing/installing a system rather than figuring out the best approach for my house. Is there another type of home energy advisor in between the energy audit and HVAC installation? Or something specific I should ask for/pay from from an HVAC company?
Finally, any tips for choosing someone who is knowledgeable about heat pumps and energy efficiency and won’t try to talk me out of heat pumps from the start?
Oh, and yes, I am aware of the IRA tax credits, (eventual) rebates, and Rewiring America site.
Generally, the strategy is to get 3-5 quotes from well-rated local HVAC professionals, who will each provide somewhat different pricing and strategies. They all employ engineers who will ensure that you will have adequate heating and cooling, and each can provide multiple solutions at various price points and varying levels of efficiency. Quite seriously, don't be afraid to simply get *many* free estimates. I've done this in Wisconsin, and local HVAC companies can and will customize solutions to the specifics of your house with efficiency in mind.
A heat pump solution that can provide both heating and cooling is almost certainly incompatible with your hydronic baseboards - there would have to be the installation of mini-splits or forced-air ducting throughout your house as a separate system or a complete replacement of your existing baseboards. That's not insignificant work, and while I'm a layman, it seems like it would likely add substantial complexity and cost to the project compared with swapping out an old boiler with an HE condensing boiler. (We replaced an unspeakably terrible oil boiler with a wonderful HE condensing gas boiler, but the air conditioning was a separate Unico system.)
Multiple local HVAC companies will not dismiss heat pumps out of hand unless your house is a particularly poor candidate. So long as you get multiple quotes, you will likely find the right contractor for your project without going with a third-party assessment.
... with some sort of electric resistance backup ...
Electric resistance is an insanely expensive and inefficient heating method and you almost certainly want to avoid it in any scenario. It's literally the exact opposite of what you'd be trying to accomplish with a heat pump. Electrification in and of itself does not mean efficiency or a climate-friendly solution.
posted by eschatfische at 7:02 PM on April 27 [1 favorite]
A heat pump solution that can provide both heating and cooling is almost certainly incompatible with your hydronic baseboards - there would have to be the installation of mini-splits or forced-air ducting throughout your house as a separate system or a complete replacement of your existing baseboards. That's not insignificant work, and while I'm a layman, it seems like it would likely add substantial complexity and cost to the project compared with swapping out an old boiler with an HE condensing boiler. (We replaced an unspeakably terrible oil boiler with a wonderful HE condensing gas boiler, but the air conditioning was a separate Unico system.)
Multiple local HVAC companies will not dismiss heat pumps out of hand unless your house is a particularly poor candidate. So long as you get multiple quotes, you will likely find the right contractor for your project without going with a third-party assessment.
... with some sort of electric resistance backup ...
Electric resistance is an insanely expensive and inefficient heating method and you almost certainly want to avoid it in any scenario. It's literally the exact opposite of what you'd be trying to accomplish with a heat pump. Electrification in and of itself does not mean efficiency or a climate-friendly solution.
posted by eschatfische at 7:02 PM on April 27 [1 favorite]
Is the "boiler about to fail" concern based just on the age? Because even though it's old it might not actually be on the verge of death. I had a fancy HVAC company recommend a condensing boiler like 5 years ago when we had a problem with our steam heating system (we were having to top up the water level every couple of days - eek!) but we got a second opinion from a solo plumber who ended up servicing it twice (once ~5 years ago, once this past winter) - I think the cost was around $1K total.
I'm now on the verge of switching to heat pumps for heating and cooling, for a variety of reasons, but my existing boiler (I don't know how old it is, but it's old) works fine if it gets cleaned out every couple of years. If you haven't already I'd recommend getting someone who works with older systems to take a look at it and service it.
posted by mskyle at 7:30 PM on April 27
I'm now on the verge of switching to heat pumps for heating and cooling, for a variety of reasons, but my existing boiler (I don't know how old it is, but it's old) works fine if it gets cleaned out every couple of years. If you haven't already I'd recommend getting someone who works with older systems to take a look at it and service it.
posted by mskyle at 7:30 PM on April 27
Electric resistance is a pretty normal backup for heat pump based heating systems. In a typical winter, it would only be needed for a handful of hours, so the cost is not a big deal.
What you want to find is an independent energy consultant, who can provide an assessment of
your current situation, a recommendation of next steps and often contractors, and- this is really important- a manual J calculation to determine how big of a system you need.
posted by rockindata at 7:51 PM on April 27 [2 favorites]
What you want to find is an independent energy consultant, who can provide an assessment of
your current situation, a recommendation of next steps and often contractors, and- this is really important- a manual J calculation to determine how big of a system you need.
posted by rockindata at 7:51 PM on April 27 [2 favorites]
I live in western NY, so maybe not quite as frigid as MN, and heat pumps that both heat and cool are proliferating. Look for an HVAC contractor who specializes in such systems if you decide to go that way.
posted by mareli at 1:18 PM on April 28
posted by mareli at 1:18 PM on April 28
We have a dual field heat pump in NJ, when it gets below 40 degrees it uses natural gas. Anything above that and it’s all electricity for heating and cooling. The resistance heat uses a TON of electricity. Your local hvac people will have a good idea of what to do in your climate. The hvac and heat pump subreddits are also good.
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 4:09 PM on April 28
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 4:09 PM on April 28
We have an oil boiler with an electric hot water heater running hydronic.baseboard heating. My understanding is that heat pumps cannot get your water up to the temperature required for the hydronics.
posted by Dashy at 6:47 PM on April 28
posted by Dashy at 6:47 PM on April 28
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I love our heat pump. AC we never had!
But, I live in Seattle, not Minnesota. I spent 5 winters in Minnesota, and know all too well that there are some days and nights there, where there in no heat to pump. That would make me wonder a bit.
But your local HVAC folks will know the answers. Call a bunch of them and ask.
posted by Windopaene at 7:01 PM on April 27