I've got a new 32 x 28 with 12' ceilings and a 12 x 28 walkable attic area (used really good attic trusses spaced on 16" centers). I'll post the photos of the build soon. With 2 x 6 construction, I plan on insulating very well and have good R16 garage doors. I put pex in the floor ind have 2" insulation under the slab.
My initial plan was to do radiant floor heat with propane as the source. Now, using heating system comparison calculators, it looks like that may not be the cheapest approach. Living in Maryland, the summers can get pretty hot and sticky. I'm thinking that the IDEAL system would be a heat pump with a gas furnace instead of electric resistance backup heat. I could supplement that with the radiant floor heat - the remaining question is whether to use a propane boiler or electric boiler for that. My prices for fuels are 0.113/KWH for electricity and a shade under $2/gallon for propane.
Has anyone gone through similar comparisons? What about total cost of the systems?
Thanks,
Tom
My initial plan was to do radiant floor heat with propane as the source. Now, using heating system comparison calculators, it looks like that may not be the cheapest approach. Living in Maryland, the summers can get pretty hot and sticky. I'm thinking that the IDEAL system would be a heat pump with a gas furnace instead of electric resistance backup heat. I could supplement that with the radiant floor heat - the remaining question is whether to use a propane boiler or electric boiler for that. My prices for fuels are 0.113/KWH for electricity and a shade under $2/gallon for propane.
Has anyone gone through similar comparisons? What about total cost of the systems?
Thanks,
Tom