Quote:
Originally Posted by pachai
I have a quick question... can you tell if the outside unit would lend itself to conversion to Ground source?
In other words, is it suited for a hacking by adding
chilled water piping, or clipping on additional cooling
fins that could then be connected to a ground loop?
It seems silly to have 2 systems, but my idea is to
leverage the mass market volume pricing of an ASHP,
and with it the "sealed" system.
My understanding is, using stock pipe lengths
does not require special tools (does it?).
And it is much easier to plumb in a 3" cable
than a 4x10 duct.
...
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Seth,
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Sorry to not get back to you sooner, but I had a serious accident on my electric bike, broke my arm in six places, endured two surgeries and will be laid up for some months. All projects on hold for the time being (ALL MY BASE ARE BELONG TO THEM). My typing has always been slow, now it's slower, but I can still type.
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Almost all of the mini-splits use "inverter technology" which means that the incoming AC is converted to DC, then re-converted to AC at varying frequencies, which makes for variable speed compressors and V.S.fans, and a big gain in efficiency.
You are quitie right about economies of scale and minisplits.
If someone who had a good technical background in circuits & programming could "break the DNA code" on minisplit construction, it would be a tremendous boon to the HVAC DIY community. Maybe you're the guy?
As of this writing, there are few options available for high performance, inverter technology Air-to-Water heat pumps.
...this is
one that is way good and way expensive.
But it sounds like you are interested in air or water in and air out, right? I found
a document about this kind of thing, only on a larger scale.
They're suppose to be a very good compromise, maybe the best.
At any rate, I
started a thread on mini-split hacks, because Xringer seemed to be interested in it.
Good luck,
-AC_Hacker