Geothermal To Heat House Under Construction?

 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 11-24-2008, 08:19 PM   #1
Registered User
 
GregWCIL's Avatar
 
Trade: General Contractor, tiling specialty
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 13

Geothermal To Heat House Under Construction?


New residential home construction. ICF walls, geothermal furnace doing both forced-air and hot water for radiant heat in basement concrete floor.

Any reason I can't have the heating subcontractor go ahead and install the geothermal furnace but only hook up the radiant heat part in the basement floor? I think it would keep the house temperature at a reasonable level during inside construction phases this winter.

I understand why you wouldn't hook up the forced-air part due to dust etc., but are there any moving parts in the hot water part of a geothermal furnace that might be harmed by drywall dust, insulation fibers, etc.?

My heating sub has never done this before but we don't know why it won't work.

Thanks in advance,
Greg

GregWCIL is offline  
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!

Old 11-24-2008, 11:14 PM   #2
Pro
 
flashheatingand's Avatar
 
Trade: H.v.a.c.
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Boise, Id
Posts: 1,905

Re: Geothermal To Heat House Under Construction?


The compressor is located outdoors? or is the compressor going to be installed in the air-handler?
flashheatingand is offline  
Old 11-24-2008, 11:49 PM   #3
Pro
 
Kgmz's Avatar
 
Trade: General, Electrical, and Plumbing Contractor
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Portland, OR & Eatonville, WA
Posts: 1,264

Re: Geothermal To Heat House Under Construction?


Go ahead and do it, it will be much nicer working.

I do this even with a normal heat pump. The drywall guys like having the nice dry heat to help dry things out. But I do put filter material on all vents, heat vents and return air. The filters over the floor vents are just mainly to keep crap from falling in off of the floor, and any drywall mud and texture.
Kgmz is offline  
Old 11-25-2008, 01:19 AM   #4
Young Gun
 
HallisseyDesign's Avatar
 
Trade: Smartass
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 265

Re: Geothermal To Heat House Under Construction?


also if you can put the cheapo filters in it for the furnace. That is what we do and replace them every week or so. Beats the hell outta freezing first thing in the mornin and that last tool your wrapping up at the end of the day! just set the temp to the lowest setting. Mine is 55 more then bearable to work in.
HallisseyDesign is offline  
Old 11-25-2008, 05:35 PM   #5
Registered User
 
GregWCIL's Avatar
 
Trade: General Contractor, tiling specialty
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 13

Re: Geothermal To Heat House Under Construction?


Thanks guys--

Hall and Kg - I don't think we will even need the forced air part if we get the basement concrete floor up to decent temp.

Flash - there is no compressor outside, it's a Waterfurnace ground-coupled heat pump Synergy 3D model.

We could put in a temporary furnace, but I figure we might as well use this since it is the most efficient way to do it.
GregWCIL is offline  
Old 11-25-2008, 07:33 PM   #6
New Guy
 
palacegeo's Avatar
 
Trade: Geothermal Systems
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 20

Re: Geothermal To Heat House Under Construction?


Your idea to just use the water side is the best approach.

Just be aware the it will void the warranty if you use it for construction heat.
__________________
Dewayne Dean
www.palacegeothermal.com
We heat and cool with dirt.
Why settle for 90% when you can have 400%
palacegeo is offline  
Old 11-25-2008, 09:09 PM   #7
Pro
 
Kgmz's Avatar
 
Trade: General, Electrical, and Plumbing Contractor
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Portland, OR & Eatonville, WA
Posts: 1,264

Re: Geothermal To Heat House Under Construction?


You gotta be kidding, why would that void the warranty?
Kgmz is offline  
Old 11-25-2008, 09:41 PM   #8
New Guy
 
palacegeo's Avatar
 
Trade: Geothermal Systems
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 20

Re: Geothermal To Heat House Under Construction?


Quote:
Originally Posted by Kgmz View Post
You gotta be kidding, why would that void the warranty?
If you don't understand the damage caused by running a new heating unit for construction heat, then you should turn in your contractor license.
__________________
Dewayne Dean
www.palacegeothermal.com
We heat and cool with dirt.
Why settle for 90% when you can have 400%
palacegeo is offline  
Old 11-25-2008, 10:27 PM   #9
Registered User
 
GregWCIL's Avatar
 
Trade: General Contractor, tiling specialty
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 13

Re: Geothermal To Heat House Under Construction?


Dewayne -

I'm not the heating contractor, but I don't see why it would be a problem in this case. The house, being ICF, is already airtight and insulated on the walls. Windows, doors (maybe only temporary) will be in place and the cellulose blown in above the ceiling.

Why no warranty?
GregWCIL is offline  
Old 11-26-2008, 01:30 AM   #10
New Guy
 
palacegeo's Avatar
 
Trade: Geothermal Systems
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 20

Re: Geothermal To Heat House Under Construction?


It is the manufacturer who makes up the terms of the warranty.
I have done the very thing you are contemplating on a radiant system after telling the owner of the warranty issue.
I just wanted to make you aware of the warranty issue.
FWIW, I would never use a forced air geo unit for construction heat.
__________________
Dewayne Dean
www.palacegeothermal.com
We heat and cool with dirt.
Why settle for 90% when you can have 400%
palacegeo is offline  


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
every year house Traditions2 Painting & Finish Work Picture Post 3 12-06-2010 11:48 PM
Flat plate heat exchanger genecarp Plumbing 2 11-24-2008 10:09 PM
need help with construction window cleaning Final Touch General Discussion 4 10-27-2008 01:59 PM
house alarm in trailer cooks Low Voltage 7 10-24-2008 09:59 AM
Future construction/ bank loan/ and quit claim question?? kdub1777 General Discussion 0 08-24-2008 09:54 AM

Join Now... It's Fast and FREE!

Privacy Badge
I am a professional contractor
I am a DIY Homeowner
ContractorTalk.com is for
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS ONLY!

At ContractorTalk.com we cater exlusivly to professional contractors who make their living as a contractor. Knowing that many homeowners and DIYers are looking for a community to call home, we've created www.DIYChatroom.com DIY Chatroom is full of helpful advices and perfect for DIY homeowners.

Redirecing in 10 seconds
No Thanks
terms of service

Already Have an Account?