Heaters and Heatpumps
First thing, scratch out the price on the list for heatpumps and replace it with $5950.
The price on the price list is less than our cost, and that's not accounting for installation or upgrading the conduit to accomodate the extra juice needed to run the heatpump. All heatpump installations require bigger conduit that costs $15/foot. So for the 100' that is included, you'd have multiply whatever the run by $5/foot, anything over 100' would be charged at $15/foot.
Very rarely, but it does come-up, we'll get the question from folks without gas whether there is a electric heater available. A couple years ago when I was first starting out, I did about a week's worth of research for a customer.
What I found out is that the effective answer is no. The only electric heater made for spa/pool installations is what is used in acrylic spas. It is designed for a spa that is covered and double insulated. When used in a inground spa installation, running the heater for 12 hours will result in heating the 1000 gallons a total of about 8-10 degrees fahrenheit. I can't imagine the electric bill.
Now a heatpump does work on electricity, but under the most ideal situations it will heat or a cool a spa at most about 8 degrees fahrenheit. It is effective at bookending the season to squeeze out a few more weeks of swim time, but it won't function as a heater for a spa for example. Operating a heatpump is very cost effective as far as utilities. Typical monthly operation may only run about $80-100.
As far as heaters go for installations where there is no gas on the property, we must do a propane adaptation. A 400,000 BTU heater requires a 250lb tank, the smaller tanks will not provide enough pressure. Tanks must be placed visible to the street, so that the propane service attendant can see his truck while filling the tanks. The tanks also need to placed at least 15' walking distance away from the heater. This can be accomplished with a t-shaped wall. If the linear distance walking around the wall is 15' that'll meet the fire department's requirements.
I typically leave it up the customer, whether to lease the tanks or purchase them. I explain that with a 250lb tank, they'll need somebody to come and fill the tanks anyways. I suggest that it's best to probably lease the tank. It is possible to bury a tank as well. This is more expensive, and I think in this case the tank would have to be purchased, but I'm not certain on this. I've never had a customer take this route. In fact, I've never done a propane adaptation personally.
One quick note, if everybody can contribute to what they are confident about setback requirements on the previous blog about that subject we'd all be appreciative.
The price on the price list is less than our cost, and that's not accounting for installation or upgrading the conduit to accomodate the extra juice needed to run the heatpump. All heatpump installations require bigger conduit that costs $15/foot. So for the 100' that is included, you'd have multiply whatever the run by $5/foot, anything over 100' would be charged at $15/foot.
Very rarely, but it does come-up, we'll get the question from folks without gas whether there is a electric heater available. A couple years ago when I was first starting out, I did about a week's worth of research for a customer.
What I found out is that the effective answer is no. The only electric heater made for spa/pool installations is what is used in acrylic spas. It is designed for a spa that is covered and double insulated. When used in a inground spa installation, running the heater for 12 hours will result in heating the 1000 gallons a total of about 8-10 degrees fahrenheit. I can't imagine the electric bill.
Now a heatpump does work on electricity, but under the most ideal situations it will heat or a cool a spa at most about 8 degrees fahrenheit. It is effective at bookending the season to squeeze out a few more weeks of swim time, but it won't function as a heater for a spa for example. Operating a heatpump is very cost effective as far as utilities. Typical monthly operation may only run about $80-100.
As far as heaters go for installations where there is no gas on the property, we must do a propane adaptation. A 400,000 BTU heater requires a 250lb tank, the smaller tanks will not provide enough pressure. Tanks must be placed visible to the street, so that the propane service attendant can see his truck while filling the tanks. The tanks also need to placed at least 15' walking distance away from the heater. This can be accomplished with a t-shaped wall. If the linear distance walking around the wall is 15' that'll meet the fire department's requirements.
I typically leave it up the customer, whether to lease the tanks or purchase them. I explain that with a 250lb tank, they'll need somebody to come and fill the tanks anyways. I suggest that it's best to probably lease the tank. It is possible to bury a tank as well. This is more expensive, and I think in this case the tank would have to be purchased, but I'm not certain on this. I've never had a customer take this route. In fact, I've never done a propane adaptation personally.
One quick note, if everybody can contribute to what they are confident about setback requirements on the previous blog about that subject we'd all be appreciative.
posted by Don Sheu at 9:50 AM
1 Comments:
Don,if you ever need to heat a spa only-the Raypak Spapak 11kw electric heater does a pretty good job. They cost under $500 and will heat 450 gal. @ 10 degrees an hour and 1000 gal. @ approx. 5 degrees per hour. They do require a dedicated breaker.
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