Horace Heffner wrote:
Note that counting the useful (in Alaska anyway!) co-generated heat
the CFCL fuel cell is 85% efficient. I guess 15% heat goes out with
the exhaust gasses?
And waste heat radiated from the body of the unit, if it is placed outdoors.
Late model gas furnaces are better than 85% efficient, but of course
they do not generate electricity!
The HVAC installer told me that with the highest efficiency model,
they could abandon the chimney in my house (which is a ~2" pipe) and
have it vent at ground level. He said only thing that comes out is
water vapor and CO2, no CO, and it is at moderate temperature, so
there is no danger. He said that to recover more heat, they inject a
lot of water into the combustion product. Not sure at which stage.
I decided to go with a less efficient model that still needs the
chimney, because I got a heat pump and the gas furnace is only used
occasionally in cold weather. I think it kicks in below 40 deg F.
The whole kit and caboodle cost $6,000, which is a lot for a small
house, and I still have another furnace and AC at the other side or
the house (which are seldom used). It cost so much the installation
company sent me a thank you note and a box of cookies. It sure saves
a lot of gas, though, and the AC is so much more efficient I'll bet
overall per annum I do not use more electricity.
- Jed
