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Mud and Paul (and Andres) are keen to make an infographic about home heat choices.  Across the top will be types of heat.  And down the left side will be attributes/metrics.  With each metric will be a link to a thread that will act as a source for that row of information in the infographic.  Or, hopefully, a bit of a bibliography.  This thread is one of those threads.

Paul thinks that this work is so very critically important that he wanted to see if by starting these threads, the work can get started.  He very much hopes that you all will add to this effort so that we might be done in a tenth of the time than if it were just him and Mud working on it.


All of the metrics for all of infographic is focused on "average for Montana".  Keeping in mind that the average Montana home is 2000 square feet.

The row for this thread is End of Life Disposal/Retrofit and will contain data for the following types of heating systems:

*Note: This might be a useful website, but it's a bit over my head: National Residential Efficiency Measures Database (Retrofit measures and costs for the U.S. building industry). References below.

Electric Baseboard

Disposal: $50-$200

(1) DIY disposal
(2,3) Cost includes the removal of the baseboard, transportation to a disposal site, and any applicable fees. Sources for these figures include local waste disposal companies and heating and cooling professionals.


Retrofit: Not currently able to find any solid info on this.


Mini Splits

(4) Disposal: $400

(5) Retrofit: Is this essentially a new installation cost in an older home?



In Ground Heat Pump

Are we looking for the cost to dispose of all the pipes in the ground as well, or just the pump?


Central Natural Gas Furnace

Are we looking for the cost to dispose of just the NG furnace or tank as well?


Central Propane Furnace

Are we looking for the cost to dispose of the tank or cylinder? Or both?




Pellet Stove




Wood Stove




Modern wood stove




Masonry Heater




Rocket Mass Heater



References

(1) https://qlabe.com/heaters/how-to-remove-baseboard-heating
(2) https://www.angi.com/articles/cost-to-replace-ductwork.htm
(3) Via AI due to futile human searching. Taken from a recent article in the Missoulian (article in the Missoulian titled "Tips for Disposal of Baseboard Heaters in Montana" published in February 2021 (URL no longer valid - http://www.missoulian.com/news/local/tips-for-disposal-of-baseboard-heaters-in-montana/article_0e20d7eb-6fbf-5b8d-8a0a-a35a0f73c717.html).
(4) Via AI - An example of the cost of mini split removal and disposal is from the website of a local HVAC contractor in California. The cost of removal and disposal of a 2-ton mini split is approximately $400 (note from Beau - tonnage does not refer to weight, but to btus.  12,000 btus = 1 ton)
(5) https://www.delcohvac.com/blog/retrofitting-your-older-home-with-ductless-air-conditioning-new/


COMMENTS:
 
pollinator
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Where is this sitting , so it can be added too?
I think that is what you want?
 
steward
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I asked https://beta.openai.com/playground?model=text-davinci-003 the following question for each category of heat.


What is the end of life disposal/retrofit cost of xxxx. Give me sources and examples.



Electric baseboard:

The end of life disposal/retrofit cost of electric baseboard will vary depending on your local area. Generally speaking, the cost to dispose of electric baseboard can range from $50 to $200. If you need to retrofit your electric baseboard, the cost can range from $300 to $1,500.

Sources:

1. https://www.retrofitec.com/electric-baseboard-heaters/
2. https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-much-does-it-cost-to-install-electric-baseboard-heaters
3. https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/ideas-how-to/heating-ventilation-and-cooling/cost-of-electric-baseboard-heaters.html



Mini split:

End of life disposal/retrofit cost for a mini split is highly dependent on the individual unit. Generally, a licensed HVAC technician will be able to provide an estimate for the cost of removal and/or retrofit of a mini split based on the specific unit.

An example of the cost of mini split removal and disposal is from the website of a local HVAC contractor in California. The cost of removal and disposal of a 2-ton mini split is approximately $400.

Other sources of estimates for mini split removal and disposal costs can be found on websites such as HomeAdvisor, Angie's List, or other local HVAC contractors.


In ground heat pump:

The end of life disposal/retrofit cost of an in-ground heat pump will depend on a variety of factors. These may include the age of the system, the condition of the equipment, and the complexity of the job. Generally, the cost of removing an in-ground heat pump and replacing it with a new system can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

Sources:

1. https://www.hvac.com/faq/what-are-the-costs-associated-with-replacing-an-in-ground-heat-pump/

2. https://www.hudsonvalleyhvac.com/home-heating-systems/in-ground-heat-pump-installation-cost/

3. https://www.hvacdirect.com/articles/in-ground-heat-pump-installation


Natural gas:

End-of-life disposal/retrofit cost of natural gas will vary greatly depending on the individual project, but can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The cost will depend largely on the complexity of the retrofit or disposal project, as well as the local regulations that must be followed.

For example, in New York State, the cost of replacing an old natural gas furnace with a new one can range from $2,000-4,000. The cost of removing an old natural gas tank can range from $1,000-2,000. In California, the cost of replacing a natural gas water heater can range from $500-1,500.

Sources:

1. https://www.energysage.com/new-york/natural-gas/furnace-replacement/
2. https://www.energysage.com/california/natural-gas/water-heater-replacement/
3. https://www.angieslist.com/articles/cost-remove-natural-gas-tank.htm



Propane:

End-of-life disposal or retrofitting of propane tanks and cylinders can vary significantly depending on the size and type of tank as well as the local regulations and requirements in your area. In general, the cost of propane tank disposal can range from $20-$100, depending on the size of the tank and local regulations. Some propane companies may offer tank removal and disposal services for a fee while others may require the owner to transport the tank to an authorized facility for disposal.

Sources:

1. https://www.dutchmanenterprises.net/propane-tank-disposal/
2. https://www.blueridgelp.com/propane-tank-disposal/
3. https://www.homedepot.com/c/propane_tank_disposal_HT_BG_EL



Wood stove:

The cost of disposing of or retrofitting an old wood stove will depend on the type of stove, the condition of the stove, and the local regulations and requirements. Generally, it can cost between $500 and $2,500 depending on the complexity of the job.

For example, in California, the cost of retrofitting an old wood stove can range from $500 to $1,000, depending on the stove and the installation. Homeowners may be eligible for rebate programs that can help defray the cost.

In Oregon, the cost of disposing of a wood stove can range from $250 to $400. The cost of retrofitting an old wood stove can range from $500 to $1,200, depending on the stove and the installation.

Sources:

California Air Resources Board: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/wood-smoke-reduction-program

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/aq/Pages/woodstoves.aspx


Modern Wood Stove:

The end-of-life disposal/retrofit cost of a modern wood stove can vary significantly depending on the specific model and the condition of the stove. Generally, it is recommended that homeowners contact their local home improvement store, a licensed contractor, or a certified stove installer for an estimate of the cost and labor associated with the installation and disposal of the stove.

For example, Home Depot offers a wood stove installation and disposal service, with prices ranging from $400 to $1,400 depending on the size and type of stove. Lowe's offers a similar service, with prices ranging from $150 to $1,000.

Other sources of information regarding wood stove disposal costs include the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and local fire safety organizations. Additionally, if the stove is older and no longer compliant with current emissions standards, there may be financial assistance available from state or local programs.



Pellet stove:

The end-of-life disposal/retrofit cost of a pellet stove can vary significantly depending on the age, condition, and size of the stove. It is typically much less expensive to retrofit an older stove than to purchase a new one. Generally, retrofit costs range from $250 to $1,500, with the higher end of that range being for larger stoves. Disposal fees can also vary, and typically range from $50 to $150 for curbside pickup.

Sources:

1. https://www.greenmountainenergy.com/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-retrofit-or-dispose-of-an-old-pellet-stove/

2. https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/heating-and-cooling/install-or-replace-a-pellet-stove/


Masonry Heater:

The cost for end-of-life disposal or retrofit of a masonry heater can vary significantly depending on factors such as size, type, and location. Generally speaking, the cost of disposal can range from $250 to $1,000, while retrofitting an existing masonry heater can cost up to $6,000 or more. Sources for this information include the Masonry Heater Association of North America (MHA-NA) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). For example, MHA-NA recommends that homeowners budget for $500-$1,000 for the disposal or retrofit of an existing masonry heater.


Rocket Mass Heater:

The end-of-life disposal/retrofit cost of a Rocket Mass Heater can vary depending on the size, complexity, and materials used in its construction. Generally, the cost for retrofitting can range from $500 to $2,000 and up. For example, the website EcoRocketHeaters.com estimates the cost of retrofitting a Rocket Mass Heater to range from $1,200 to $2,000. Sources:

EcoRocketHeaters.com: https://ecorocketheaters.com/costs/

Rocket Mass Heater Builder's Guide: https://www.mha-net.org/resources/the-rocket-mass-heater-builders-guide/


 
steward
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Starting to sort through some of this.

Concerning disposal, Ai seems to think:

Electric baseboard: $50-$200 - it seems to me the larger numbers are confused with installation costs
mini-split - $400 (note - tonnage does not refer to weight, but to btus.  12,000 btus = 1 ton.  i did not know this!)
heat pump - AI says "a few hundred to several thousand".  Can someone tell me what is entailed with "removing a heat pump"?  Are we talking about removing all the pipes in the ground?  I am guessing that usually the get left underground and forgotten - which is not cool, but it will limit our data on "removal costs."
 
pollinator
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Beau Davidson wrote:Starting to sort through some of this.

Concerning disposal, Ai seems to think:

Electric baseboard: $50-$200 - it seems to me the larger numbers are confused with installation costs
mini-split - $400 (note - tonnage does not refer to weight, but to btus.  12,000 btus = 1 ton.  i did not know this!)
heat pump - AI says "a few hundred to several thousand".  Can someone tell me what is entailed with "removing a heat pump"?  Are we talking about removing all the pipes in the ground?  I am guessing that usually the get left underground and forgotten - which is not cool, but it will limit our data on "removal costs."

the biggest cost I would suspect is having a licensed HVAC person come out and safely remove and recycled the freon in the compressor unit. The underground tubes could be abandoned if it's a ground system but the heat pump element needs to be removed properly.
 
pollinator
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Yeah, a GSHP field/boreholes would likely just be abandoned in place. At most, flushing out the glycol with plain water might be required at decommissioning, to prevent some future damage allowing it to leak into the soil. To excavate and remove the pipes (probably not even feasible for boreholes) would cause much more environmental disturbance than just leaving it alone. At most, the piping where it enters the structure might be removed to clear the area for a new use or cosmetic reasons.

For natural gas there is a comment about "removing the tank". In my area, this is usually piped into the house from the street by the utility...
Is CNG with a tank at your house a thing in Montana?
 
Rocket Scientist
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I have a feeling "removing the tank" is a holdover from the propane section.
Hmm... apparently Angie's List thinks natural gas tanks are a thing. Never heard of those at a home scale. Of course, propane is pretty much the only gas option around here.

For electric baseboard, I think they are pretty much all metal, and if there is a scrap metal recycler in the area, you can actually sell the removed material and at least recoup the cost of DIY removal.
 
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