5 Ton GSHP Build - Page 14

randen · 02-13-16, 08:12 AM

Today or rather last night temperatures dipped to a low of -21 Deg C. And the snow is piling up. The DIY Geothermal shop heat-pump is operating so well keeping me comfortable during the work day while I toil away. But I was curious and had to go to the shop this morn to check on what the situation may be for the shop at these low temps. It is the weekend so the set back is 16 Deg. C. for the shop and 20 Deg. C. for the heated office floor. Well the temps were held and the HP was off so it seems its able to maintain even at these extreme temps.

For all accounts the system is performing exceedingly well even in the extreme temps. The HP is cycling keeping the shop warm. Looking at the electric bill the cost are still pleasingly low for operating the system. The variable frequency drive VFD is still set at 40 Hz from air-conditioning season. The HP is actually in a closet next to my office. During the day while I'm at my computer I hear it cycle. The fan on the VFD is noisier than the compressor. HMM I need to do something about that.

Randen

randen · 02-09-17, 07:53 AM

Its been a year since my last report. The DIY heat-pump is still purring away in the shop warming nicely. It has been maintenance free just keeps moving the BTUs. In the summer months it air-conditions like a rock star!! Even with the machines kicking out humidity from the coolant and heat from the motors the heat-pump handles it without breaking a sweat.

The slight down side is our electrical costs have risen sharply 20% gulp! December proved to be very cold and very windy, my Kwh's usages were up therefore a electric bill like I haven't seen before.

Randen

AC_Hacker · 02-09-17, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randen

The slight down side is our electrical costs have risen sharply 20% gulp! December proved to be very cold and very windy, my Kwh's usages were up therefore a electric bill like I haven't seen before.
Randen

...and if you had been heating with oil?

-AC

randen · 02-09-17, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC_Hacker

...and if you had been heating with oil?

-AC

Its been about 4 yrs but probably more than double and north of $3k. for the season

I checked the loop temp and incoming 5 Deg. C. and return 2 Deg. C

Randen

randen · 06-13-17, 09:12 AM

Here we are the weather has warmed and yesterday's temp hit 33Deg C. and humid. The DIY heat pump was switched from heat to cool and kept the shop at 21Deg C. The DIY HP has been working very well.

Now if I could just pump a little solar PV into the mix to reduce the cost of electricity.

Randen

AC_Hacker · 06-16-17, 01:41 PM

R,

Haven't heard from you, give me a call.

-AC

u3b3rg33k · 04-09-18, 11:22 PM

someone asked about large scale heat pipe applications? how about a heated driveway that is powered by the earth?

https://pangea.stanford.edu/ERE/db/W...2015/29041.pdf

By the way I love this thread. What's the lowest Hz you've run the compressor at? from what I've read on split systems (mini or full size inverter systems) there's a minimum speed, and separately a minimum speed that must be run occasionally to achieve good oil return. is this just not an issue on a system so small (pipe-wise, not capacity)?

I'm also wondering if you've considered the need for a receiver. is this unnecessary again? or perhaps effectively included in the volume of your bphx/dryer? some of the refrigeration machines I've seen have receivers nearly equal in volume to the compressor housing itself.

If there's any more details you'd like to share on the operation of the VFD than what you've posted so far, I'm very curious to hear it.

randen · 01-10-19, 07:23 PM

Fellow eco-renovators.

Thought I would issue a milestone. The DIY shop heatpump has now been operating since October 29 2014 without any problems what so ever!!! That’s 5 yrs trouble free. In fact I have gained so much confidence in the system I left it operational for a month keeping the shop at 16 deg C while away for vacation

Heating and air conditioning all the while sipping electrons. It was a very trying build but the outcome has exceeded my expectations

Randen

Mikesolar · 01-10-19, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randen

Fellow eco-renovators.

Thought I would issue a milestone. The DIY shop heatpump has now been operating since October 29 2014 without any problems what so ever!!! That’s 5 yrs trouble free. In fact I have gained so much confidence in the system I left it operational for a month keeping the shop at 16 deg C while away for vacation

Heating and air conditioning all the while sipping electrons. It was a very trying build but the outcome has exceeded my expectations

Randen

Sure.....wallow in your success, LOL

pavel · 01-16-19, 10:58 AM

Great job!

06-16-17, 01:41 PM	#6
AC_Hacker Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 4,004 Thanks: 303 Thanked 723 Times in 534 Posts	How's it going? R, Haven't heard from you, give me a call. -AC __________________ I'm not an HVAC technician. In fact, I'm barely even a hacker...

01-16-19, 10:58 AM	#10
pavel Lurking Renovator Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Czech Rep. Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Great job! Great job!

02-13-16, 08:12 AM	#1
randen Uber EcoRenovator Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Strathroy Ontario Canada Posts: 657 Thanks: 9 Thanked 191 Times in 129 Posts	Today or rather last night temperatures dipped to a low of -21 Deg C. And the snow is piling up. The DIY Geothermal shop heat-pump is operating so well keeping me comfortable during the work day while I toil away. But I was curious and had to go to the shop this morn to check on what the situation may be for the shop at these low temps. It is the weekend so the set back is 16 Deg. C. for the shop and 20 Deg. C. for the heated office floor. Well the temps were held and the HP was off so it seems its able to maintain even at these extreme temps. For all accounts the system is performing exceedingly well even in the extreme temps. The HP is cycling keeping the shop warm. Looking at the electric bill the cost are still pleasingly low for operating the system. The variable frequency drive VFD is still set at 40 Hz from air-conditioning season. The HP is actually in a closet next to my office. During the day while I'm at my computer I hear it cycle. The fan on the VFD is noisier than the compressor. HMM I need to do something about that. Randen

02-09-17, 07:53 AM	#2
randen Uber EcoRenovator Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Strathroy Ontario Canada Posts: 657 Thanks: 9 Thanked 191 Times in 129 Posts	Its been a year since my last report. The DIY heat-pump is still purring away in the shop warming nicely. It has been maintenance free just keeps moving the BTUs. In the summer months it air-conditions like a rock star!! Even with the machines kicking out humidity from the coolant and heat from the motors the heat-pump handles it without breaking a sweat. The slight down side is our electrical costs have risen sharply 20% gulp! December proved to be very cold and very windy, my Kwh's usages were up therefore a electric bill like I haven't seen before. Randen

06-13-17, 09:12 AM	#5
randen Uber EcoRenovator Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Strathroy Ontario Canada Posts: 657 Thanks: 9 Thanked 191 Times in 129 Posts	Here we are the weather has warmed and yesterday's temp hit 33Deg C. and humid. The DIY heat pump was switched from heat to cool and kept the shop at 21Deg C. The DIY HP has been working very well. Now if I could just pump a little solar PV into the mix to reduce the cost of electricity. Randen

04-09-18, 11:22 PM	#7
u3b3rg33k Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Rustbelt, USA Posts: 114 Thanks: 5 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	someone asked about large scale heat pipe applications? how about a heated driveway that is powered by the earth? https://pangea.stanford.edu/ERE/db/W...2015/29041.pdf By the way I love this thread. What's the lowest Hz you've run the compressor at? from what I've read on split systems (mini or full size inverter systems) there's a minimum speed, and separately a minimum speed that must be run occasionally to achieve good oil return. is this just not an issue on a system so small (pipe-wise, not capacity)? I'm also wondering if you've considered the need for a receiver. is this unnecessary again? or perhaps effectively included in the volume of your bphx/dryer? some of the refrigeration machines I've seen have receivers nearly equal in volume to the compressor housing itself. If there's any more details you'd like to share on the operation of the VFD than what you've posted so far, I'm very curious to hear it.

01-10-19, 07:23 PM	#8
randen Uber EcoRenovator Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Strathroy Ontario Canada Posts: 657 Thanks: 9 Thanked 191 Times in 129 Posts	Fellow eco-renovators. Thought I would issue a milestone. The DIY shop heatpump has now been operating since October 29 2014 without any problems what so ever!!! That’s 5 yrs trouble free. In fact I have gained so much confidence in the system I left it operational for a month keeping the shop at 16 deg C while away for vacation Heating and air conditioning all the while sipping electrons. It was a very trying build but the outcome has exceeded my expectations Randen