[stevehull]

FordGuy,

Re putting the heat pump in the barn and piping the hot (or cold) water to the house.

Whoa, whoa . . . .!!!!!!!!

You will loose every advantage of having the high efficiency heat pump. Here is why.

A typical R value for pipe insulation is maybe 3-4. Unless you go 4 feet underground, your winter ground temps will be in the low 30's (in your area) or less. If you pump water at 100 F, then you have a 70 degree differential. Even 4 feet underground, your winter ground temp will likely only be in the 40F range.

Imagine trying to heat a house to 70 F when it is 0 F outside (same 70 degree difference). And imagine just how inneffective an R value in the walls and ceiling of 3-4 R would be! This differential would take about R30 or more to be effective.

Even some 30-40 feet of underground pipe will just result in heating the ground even with R10 insulation.

Put the heat pump in the enclosed house and preferably in the controlled air space.

Lastly, what is the deal with home insurance and the heat pump?


Steve