Gilmore Residence

In 2019, customers turned to Hottel to install geothermal heating and cooling. However, due to setbacks and space constraints it was agreed that the next best thing would be installed, which was the Daikin Life VRV Heat Pump. After calculating the homes heat loss/gain, Hottel determined that the existing 6-tons of equipment could be replaced with a single 5-ton Daikin Life VRV unit when paired with a gas furnace for backup heating. It’s a great alternative to Geothermal.

“We are very pleased with the system. It is super-quiet, and very efficient. In the summer, the system is powered entirely by our solar panel array and we do not receive an electric bill. I have been impressed with the heating performance of the heat pump, even in sub-freezing temperatures. We have the gas furnace option for the coldest days, but the heat pump seems to cover most of the heating needs. Our gas bills in the winter are quite modest, and electric bills are very reasonable.

Initially, we considered a geothermal system. After weighing the high initial costs and uncertainty of results for well drilling, along with the regulatory challenges in DC, you offered Daikin Life VRV Heat Pump System as an alternative with nearly the same efficiency as geothermal. I am pleased with our choice and with an installation that was quick and relatively easy.

I appreciated your advice about insulation. Judith and I added blown fiberglass in our attic to R-60. We are in the process of replacing some old drafty windows as part of our effort to get as close as possible to net zero.” – David Gilmore, Washington D.C.