New construction heat question

[moonpool145]

Hello all. I have been searching for background info and I am probably not looking in the right place becuse I cant find suitable answers. So I thought I would ask the experts here. Now that you are all suitably flatered I will give you the background.

I am working on a plan to build a new shop/house in Wisconsin starting in the spring. The basic parameters are as follows:

House: 3200sf / 2 story
Shop: daylight basement and about 1200sf
Construction: ICF with 3" foam in and out, high quality windows, R40 cielings, 2" foam under slabs, very tight with A/A heat exchanger

I intend to use radiant embeded in lightweight concrete for the floors with a secondary air distribution system for AC and the air exchanger. My question relates to the heat source. The wife will not allow for solar collectors as she thinks they are ugly and I want the most efficient possible. I have been looking at the Posiedon water heater but have doubts due to all the contradictory info I see on the web. I am also very interested in Geo but I am not sure that it makes any financial sense as the house will have such a good envelope.

This is a big issue for me as I intend for this house to be our last. Also, having spent a number of years in the energy industry I have a strong belief that energy rates are going to go through the roof in the not too distant future (2 to 5 years).

Given all of this I would like to know if any of you more experianced folks out there would have any advice for me.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[sneezer41]

what fuel sources are available?

if there is no gas in the street, you are limited to oil or heat pump. Propane is way expensive.


Look into those newish solar tube collectors, no where near as ugly, and think about alternate sites for them instead of on the roof in front of the house. If you 'had' to go solar what would you do?



Examine windows. It is all about the windows. Half your heat will go out the windows.

Passive solar on the south, limited in the north.

 

[moonpool145]

Yea, sorry about forgettingg the fuel. Gas is right there and would my choice of backup (for solar) or my alternate to AC in the case of Geo. What are your thoughts on windows? That is another area of confusion. I like the high end Pella casements but cannot find any consensus as to the best maker. I also hear many folks say that 3 pane is not worth the etra cost but that does not seem to make sense to me. I am attempting to prepare the house for what I think energy prices will be and not what they are today

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I like my tankless boiler.

It is designed for the application, where a water heater is not.

Also, it includes energy saving features, like an outdoor temperature reset, that I don't think you'd find on a water heater. I got the Ti150 from NY Thermal. They also sell one that has a seperate heat exchanger for domestic hot water, if you need that.

Your shop is going to cost a lot of money to build. I wouldn't skimp on your heating equipment.

Phil

 

[sneezer41]

3 pane? how bout 4 pane.

Do a heat loss on the house and look at the numbers. It is all about the windows.

I would forget the name brands, use a little opening glass as practical and spend as much as you can on the glass.

Orient the house for solar. In my area, you can get 64 btu per square foot of south facing glass. Place overhangs and deciduous trees for summer time.

 

[moonpool145]

Thanks Sneezer. Thats good advice on the windows. I'll have a look

 

[walrus]

Thanks Sneezer. Thats good advice on the windows. I'll have a look

I have a passive solar home. Spend your money on insulation. I would go with radiant floors and collectors before I did anything passive again