Basement System - Gas or HeatPump

[BVGuy]

I live in Atlanta GA and I need a system for my basement. Calcs were done for duct sizing - supply and return and the ducting is finished. I have been quoted both nat gas and heatpump systems but my real concern is the comfort level if I go with a heat pump. Three sides of the basement is concrete and one side is full daylight.

Several years ago I lived in an apt in NC and I cursed the heat pump system every winter because it never really felt warm. The heatpump company I got a recent quote from claims that heatpumps today are more efficient and better designed and will be very comfortable if operated properly.

My question is, assuming that the basement is well insulated and the duct is properly sized and installed, should I go with a heatpump instead of a nat gas furnace??? Basement sf is around 1500. Would a larger backup heater help, say 10kw??

Thanks :?

[rabadger]

What were the load calculation totals and what was the winter design temperature used. There is a limit on the size of furnaces manufactured. If you have to oversize the furnace to install it, how much oversized will it end up.

correct load calculations are not done by square footage. The only way to get the dut correct is to perform load calculations. Atlanta has a winter design temp of 23 degrees and three walls are under grade.

[giddonah]

Richard, you should write up a sticky for this forum of the info needed in order to answer a question. You must get tired of telling people they need the load calculations.

[rabadger]

Thats not a bad idea.

[BVGuy]

I understand the importance of load calcs vs sf generalizations. The load calcs were done and the duct sized accordingly - I don't have the calcs, they were done by a local company and I was given the duct sizing and layout based on the info they gathered. All the design paramaters were put in the program - i.e. wall and ceiling type for each room, insulation type/thickness, design temps, etc. The ducting IS CORRECT - my QUESTION was would a heat pump be appropriate here - I simply want an opinion from "those in the know" if they would use a heat pump in this application. I would use a gas furnace but with the price of NG these days and the fact that I have two other NG units I'm considering a heat pump for the basement.

[rabadger]

I can't give you an answer. I still don't know the required BTU in heating and cooling. Also in northwest Indiana we will not use a heat pump under 35 degrees. Your design temp is 23 degrees. If the smallest gas furnace made is 40,000 input / 36,000 output with a two ton blower will it be oversized to the point of having short cycle problems? Maybe a 2 stage furnace will fit.

Without knowing the required BTUH heating and cooling I can't tell you what will be the best application. Also the contractor will only handle one or to brands of equipment. It depends on the sizes they come in.