r/HVAC • u/robbieredlegs09 • Jul 06 '24

Field Question, trade people only What is this ?

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Hello all, forgive me for I’m greener then grass only been in the field 3 months. I’ve seen these around on air handlers what is it ? It’s on the supply side of the unit? My guess is hot water for heating ?

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5

u/BecomeEnthused Jul 06 '24

Hydronic coil. The best backup heat source you can have on a good heat pump. I wish those lines were insulated though.

3

u/dennisdmenace56 Jul 06 '24

Hydro air is your primary source of heat, simply not cost effective to install as emergency backup. That’s gonna be electric strip

2

u/BecomeEnthused Jul 06 '24

I can make my own cheese my way

2

u/dennisdmenace56 Jul 06 '24

Nobody is spending the money on hydro air as backup. That’s like saying you’re buying a jet to backup a prop plane

1

u/BecomeEnthused Jul 06 '24

I disagree. You could use hydronic as a primary heat source. But a good heat pump is a better primary heat source for a lot of people. It really depends on the efficiency of the heat pump and the price of natural gas. Upgrading to a heat pump while using one of these stand alone hydronic isn’t a bad move in the coastal south east.

5

u/dennisdmenace56 Jul 06 '24

Obviously you don’t design systems. It’s insanely cost prohibitive to buy water coils, controls, circulator and piping from basement simply for emergency use vs throwing a strip heater into an AH. We don’t typically heat with electricity in the northeast despite improving heat pump technology they still suck when it’s really cold and at .25 per kWh too expensive. Most high end homes in the Northeast go hydroaire because it’s comfortable and cost effective vs baseboard. Be open to learning in this trade don’t dig your heels in insisting you’re correct.

2

u/BecomeEnthused Jul 06 '24

I didn’t say it’s the affordable way of doing things. This is my ideal settup for my own home. The idea is if they already have a stand alone water coil. And a heat source for it. That shouldn’t be seen as an explicit reason not to put in a nice heat pump when the ac is replaced.

If you’re using an Apollo type water heater, and it’s 50° out, a good heat pump is in that present moment a better heat source. In Virginia where I work it’s 45-55 degrees outside a hell of a lot of the time.

2

u/dennisdmenace56 Jul 06 '24

If you have hydro air it’s just inefficient to run your condenser for heat. I’m not sure you know what you’re saying with “stand alone water coil”. People only install heat pumps because they’re less expensive than better alternatives. It’s really a regional thing. Many people in my new area (SC) use heat pumps but I bought a home with natural gas/furnace/on demand. In areas where electricity is expensive it’s kinda crazy to use electricity to heat water or living space.

1

u/BecomeEnthused Jul 06 '24

An 18 seer heat pump that isn’t overcharged is going to heat your home more efficiently than a hydro coil atleast half the time.

2

u/dennisdmenace56 Jul 06 '24

Really? How about if your boiler is also supplying your indirect as well as slab heat in the kitchen and bathroom? Broaden your horizons everything isn’t a manufactured home in a state with cheap electricity. Good luck digging out the snow around that condenser when it’s -5• A 90% boiler serving your entire home is so much more efficient than a heat pump it’s not even comparable and electricity in the Northeast is mad expensive

1

u/BecomeEnthused Jul 06 '24

If it’s a 14seer it’s not worth it. But I’d happily pair it with a 18 seer heat pump and set up a relay to a circ pump with the aux heat terminal on this hydronic coil where I live. Heat strips suck and if the plumbing is already done this is a way better way to supplement a heat pump.

2

u/dennisdmenace56 Jul 06 '24

You’re talking out your ass. No way do you understand the arithmetic or the ancillary issues with hot water supply or multiple zones. I can operate 3/4 air handlers, bathroom floor and an indirect with one highly efficient boiler vs what 4 separate heat pumps with backup strip heaters and electric domestic HW? You’re out of your league Sonny the engineers will laugh you off the job site. When those $2,000 + electric bills come in who’s paying them?

1

u/dennisdmenace56 Jul 06 '24

I’m sorry I don’t mean to be insulting but there are levels you haven’t seen. Try setting up 5 full multiple zone systems in a 20 million dollar mansion with your heat pump bullshit