Our house flood update.

[Pullstart 62,782]

These pictures are “the good ones,” nobody wants to see my yard or garage!  So, insurance is a joke.  They were able to deny us because of a hand written line from a previous agent stating “no sewer backup”.  Our septic system is just fine, our sump pump died and the battery backup only lasted so long.  Moral of the story: HAVE SEWER BACKUP PROTECTION, EVEN IF YOU DON’T HAVE A SEWER CONNECTION.

 

We picked up a new heat pump water heater today and I pulled an old 50 gallon (what I’ll call storage tank) out from the back barn.  I built the 50 gallon water heater myself from raw components when I worked in the R&D lab.  Because we have wood heat, the majority of the heat pump water heater’s “heat” source will still be wood.  Cold water will flow into the storage tank, then into the heat pump.  Both tanks will receive a side arm heat exchanger from the wood boiler and that loop will feed the coil on top of the furnace as well.  The inlet of the storage tank will be teed into the outlet of the heat pump tank via mixing valve to prevent scalding.  Additionally, the heat pump will act as an air conditioner and dehumidifier in the summer time.  

 

I will have to get a furnace still, but thanks to @WHX24‘s wisdom, it’ll be a high efficiency furnace as well in case I break my leg and can’t toss wood in the boiler.

 

yee haw!

 

 

[JAinVA 4,619]

Kevin,

   You have definitely been busy.I knew you were not afraid of work.I can only guess what it looked like before.It looks good now.Thanks for sharing the photos and again keep us up to date.Luck,JAinVA.   Jim

[formariz 11,987]

I am glad to hear that things are getting back to normal if one can call it that. I am sorry to hear about what happened specially after a happy event. Water can be a devastating force as I well know. Unfortunately as for insurance most of us have always immediately signed on the dotted line feeling good that we are covered against what may happen, but in reality we are not.One has to read the entire policy prior to accepting it, and understand it which is not always easy. One almost has to think like a "Philadelphia Lawyer" in order to see what kind of little hidden tricks they pull. They are in the business of collecting as much as they can in premiums, and to pay as little in damages as what they can get away with.

[JAinVA 4,619]

When the tree fell on the garage last year and punched holes in the roof I never called the insurance company.It is covered but by the time I had to deal with their BS the missus and I had the tree removed.  I fixed the roof and other damage myself and I didn't have an adjuster jerk to deal with.

Kevin,as far as a broken leg keeping you from dealing with wood heat. I think you are resourceful enough to figure a way around even a broke leg, if it meant keeping the girls warm. 

Edited June 27, 2019 by JAinVA

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,300]

  Good to see your getting things back up and running. So will your basement stuff be up on concrete blocks in case the cellar floods again? How deep was the water?

  I know it isn’t cheap but maybe an automatic transfer switch/ generator setup??

[WHX?? 48,760]

I dunno on the heat pump water heater buddy... I ain't a big fan of them. They're  great till they break then get your trousers down to your ankles.  The power companies love them so they can sell you power... same with electrics. You got  a b-vent down ther just do a natural draft or power vent with the side arm. @JCM is a professional plumber maybe he will chime in on them.

I wish you DIY'ers would as least consult, or is that insult?  working professionals before you do half  @$$ed things ... that goes for you too @19richie66! Least you ain't the cobbler Kev is! 

Looks like the plenum is supported by a 2x resting on a beer can! Off the wood hex for God's sake! Oh my.... I don't know why I surprised, in my 50?years  in the HVAC biz I like to think I have seen it all!

Anybody know how to use that broom I see standing ther... I dunno pretty complicated piece of equipment ther! 

 

Good news is Kev I was just out in my warehouse inventorying and I got a nice used deuce 96%er out ther .. used very little and only ran by a little old lady on Sundays .. real resonable if so interested. We'll talk....

BTW did I mention I forgot more about piping and running outdoor wood burners that most of them so called outdoor wood guys know? 

[Pullstart 62,782]

1 minute ago, Sparky said:

  Good to see your getting things back up and running. So will your basement stuff be up on concrete blocks in case the cellar floods again? How deep was the water?

  I know it isn’t cheap but maybe an automatic transfer switch/ generator setup??

 

It was 12-14” deep.  There is a 1/2 horse (was 1/3 horse) sump pump and a redundant battery backup pump.  We will likely get a WiFi connected battery backup now, so it can alert Mrs. if it activates.  Someone is always around to check on the house if ever need be.  We have good neighbors and family is close by too.

 

 

[Pullstart 62,782]

4 minutes ago, WHX24 said:

I dunno on the heat pump water heater buddy... I ain't a big fan of them. They're  great till they break then get your trousers down to your ankles.  The power companies love them so they can sell you power... same with electrics. You got  a b-vent down ther just do a natural draft or power vent with the side arm. @JCM is a professional plumber maybe he will chime in on them.

I wish you DIY'ers would as least consult, or is that insult?  working professionals before you do half  @$$ed things ... that goes for you too @19richie66! Least you ain't the cobbler Kev is! 

Looks like the plenum is supported by a 2x resting on a beer can! Off the wood hex for God's sake! Oh my.... I don't know why I surprised, in my 50?years  in the HVAC biz I like to think I have seen it all!

Anybody know how to use that broom I see standing ther... I dunno pretty complicated piece of equipment ther! 

 

Good news is Kev I was just out in my warehouse inventorying and I got a nice used deuce 96%er out ther .. used very little and only ran by a little old lady on Sundays .. real resonable if so interested. We'll talk....

BTW did I mention I forgot more about piping and running outdoor wood burners that most of them so called outdoor wood guys know? 

 

This heat pump will be supported by “a guy” we know.  If something goes down, we’ll holler at the engineering team and they’ll send a tech for troubleshooting.  We call it a field trial.  The 2 by is supported by a piece of 2x3 steel tubing, I needed my beer back 

[WHX?? 48,760]

19 minutes ago, Sparky said:

  Good to see your getting things back up and running. So will your basement stuff be up on concrete blocks in case the cellar floods again? How deep was the water?

  I know it isn’t cheap but maybe an automatic transfer switch/ generator setup??

Sparkeye's got a good point ther Kev... time to start using your head for more than a hat rack.....

[JCM 9,130]

Kevin, sorry you have to deal with all of this after what appeared to be an awesome time at the BS.I have to agree with @WHX24 about the Natural or direct vent / power vent with an Indirect Hot water tank, Have never sold a Heat Pump HW tank to any of my customers so can't comment on them. Good Luck!

[953 nut 55,051]

You are making amazing progress.             I was thinking like Mike @Sparky, figure on lifting all components at least six inches higher than the high water mark. 

[WHX?? 48,760]

48 minutes ago, pullstart said:

 

This heat pump will be supported by “a guy” we know.  

You want me to tell you how many times I heard  it was put in by the the brother of a wife's 5th  cousin who was friends with a sister's brother of a guy who used to work for a guy that put them in?   First thing they ask  " is it under warranty" .....Just sayin...

Edited June 28, 2019 by WHX24

[Pullstart 62,782]

12 minutes ago, WHX24 said:

You want me to tell you how many times I heard  it was put in by the the brother of a wife's 5th  cousin who was friends with a sister's brother of a guy who used to work for a guy that put them in?   First thing they ask  " is it under warranty" .....Just sayin...

 

It’s under warranty... but the “guy” is the manufacturer.  We should have all the support we need with that one.

[Achto 27,502]

Good to see that you're getting things put back together Kevin. Sorry to hear that your extortion company would not help you out. I'll go no further on my feelings about insurance companies.

Edited June 28, 2019 by Achto

[ZXT 2,401]

Sorry to hear that you had that happen to you!

 

If it only got a foot deep, why are you replacing everything? Surely the water didn't fry all of the electronics.

Good luck on the heat pump. Keep us updated on that.. I've never had a heat pump hot water heater, only been around a few heaters. Can't say that I'm extremely impressed with them.

[Tractorhead 9,064]

Hi Kev, 

good to hear you‘re on the rework of things,

send you some mental Support prayer‘s from my side of the Pond.

 

„Insurance companies“ are only a medium to collect money, that impression i got more and more.

I call them just „Moneyburner“😎

 

If you didn‘t have any contract, they‘re representatives  promise the blue of the sky, 

But if contract is done and in case of a problem, they find 110 more Way‘s to prevent to pay...

- allway‘s the same “xxxxxxx“ all arround the Wold, independent where you are on the Globe.

 

Sounds good what you bring up.

But as mentioned ahead, rethinking of a double of pumps, one who sends out an Alarm

one who‘s coupled with a generator, if Water Level increases and you are riped of electricity,

than your house will be protected double.

that money is more senseful invested, than in any insurance for several years.

 

We build such a „doubleprotection“ system in the House of a collegue of mine, who has every year some troubles with

increasing ground water. 

same issue, he‘s fighting for 5Years with insurance, because they have to pay,

but they try everything to increases time they don‘t must pay....

 

 

 

[Racinbob 11,039]

When we lived in Florida the time came to replace the water heater heater. The heat pumps intrigued me and I was close to getting one. My way of thinking was that it would have a great source of heat available to do it's thing because it was located in the garage. Up here not so much. 

[19richie66 17,500]

I always consult a professional before I even attempt to do something. I can’t tell you how many youtube videos I watch. 

[19richie66 17,500]

When I replaced the water heater in the house, straight 80 gallon Rheem tank, twin elements and no frills. The A/C - heat,  same thing. Trane 4 ton central heat and air. No heat pump or fancy stuff. Just the basics. Power bill stays in the 150-175 range through the summer with the air set at 73*. Hope to do the same with the new place...... we’ll see. 

[Pullstart 62,782]

7 hours ago, ZXT said:

Sorry to hear that you had that happen to you!

 

If it only got a foot deep, why are you replacing everything? Surely the water didn't fry all of the electronics.

Good luck on the heat pump. Keep us updated on that.. I've never had a heat pump hot water heater, only been around a few heaters. Can't say that I'm extremely impressed with them.

 

 Moreso because of what you cannot see.... mold.  The old way of thinking in the appliance industry was whatever got wet needs replacing. Because of the chance of mold in the water heater insulation, it’s not worth the hazard.  As for the furnace, the air makeup blower and the board were both fried as well.  Same deal, it’s not worth trying to salvage an old inefficient furnace when the price of those two components will be so close to a new price tag.

 

3 hours ago, Racinbob said:

When we lived in Florida the time came to replace the water heater heater. The heat pumps intrigued me and I was close to getting one. My way of thinking was that it would have a great source of heat available to do it's thing because it was located in the garage. Up here not so much. 

 

The air to air heat pumps can be effective down to 10 degrees outside, but those ones have a coil that looks like an A/C unit and they pump the hot fluid across the furnace coil similar to how A/C units pump the cold Freon.  

[Pullstart 62,782]

23 minutes ago, 19richie66 said:

When I replaced the water heater in the house, straight 80 gallon Rheem tank, twin elements and no frills. The A/C - heat,  same thing. Trane 4 ton central heat and air. No heat pump or fancy stuff. Just the basics. Power bill stays in the 150-175 range through the summer with the air set at 73*. Hope to do the same with the new place...... we’ll see. 

 

If we had natural gas, it would be a no frills easy one.... but there are too few houses on our road and the natural gas lines end 1/4 mile away.

[19richie66 17,500]

Mines just plain electric but that’s what works best for us. We don’t have that below zero stuff here to deal with. Different stuff for different climates I guess. Very sorry to hear about your troubles Kevin. Hope everything gets back to somewhat normal soon.

Edited June 28, 2019 by 19richie66

[Pullstart 62,782]

Standard electric element and LP products cost about the same to operate in our area.  The heat pump is supposed to operate about 2/3 less than element electric.... bringing it close to the operating cost of natural.  I believe electric is much cheaper in the south?  We have family in TN and we were surprised to compare electric costs with them.  I’ll just be happy when I’m not working in the basement for a while.... I’m feeling like a troll this week 

[ZXT 2,401]

1 hour ago, pullstart said:

 

 Moreso because of what you cannot see.... mold.  The old way of thinking in the appliance industry was whatever got wet needs replacing. Because of the chance of mold in the water heater insulation, it’s not worth the hazard.  As for the furnace, the air makeup blower and the board were both fried as well.  Same deal, it’s not worth trying to salvage an old inefficient furnace when the price of those two components will be so close to a new price tag.

 

 

The air to air heat pumps can be effective down to 10 degrees outside, but those ones have a coil that looks like an A/C unit and they pump the hot fluid across the furnace coil similar to how A/C units pump the cold Freon.  

I didn't know that they would work down to 10 degrees. The ones I've had experience with worked down to around 40 and then the electric backup kicked in. A family member just had one installed and the AC guy said that below about 37 degrees they were horribly inefficient.

 

That was the main reason I didn't like them. If they have got them to where they work down to 10 degrees, that would be great, since it very rarely gets that cold down here. 

[Pullstart 62,782]

I’m sure there is a most efficient delta T that they operate.  If the max temperature rise is 50 degrees and someone wants their t-stat at 70, I can see how it would struggle.  Even so, with the wood heat it’ll rarely ever operate below 60.  I remember 10 years ago when they were testing the heat pumps in the electric lab, it was the best job to have because the lab was low 60’s when the gas lab was 80 and muggy!