EcoRenovator - View Single Post - Design and Build Spiv's Solar and Geothermal House

Spiv · 07-19-16, 06:24 PM

So,

from the advice received and what I learned from it, it seems that the most appropriate course of action is:

Insulate as much as economically viable.
Ensure good airtightness of the house
Use mini splits
Use Solar PV to assist minisplits in summer
Use gas to to assist minisplits in winter.

Did I get it right?

Minisplits are definitely the easier and cheaper option up front.
I had them installed in previous houses and it only takes an afternoon to get them retrofit, in a new install it might even be easier as the electrical and plumbing can be worked out in advance.

What I have against them in the noise they make and the seem to waste a lot of energy (a lot of heat is produced by the external unit).

I was sort of sold to the idea of hydronic floor heating as a sort of quite and ecological way to get warm in winter, but I might have to give up that idea.....

07-19-16, 06:24 PM	#27
Spiv Lurking Renovator Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: On a Catamaran sailing the Oceans Posts: 23 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	So, from the advice received and what I learned from it, it seems that the most appropriate course of action is: Insulate as much as economically viable. Ensure good airtightness of the house Use mini splits Use Solar PV to assist minisplits in summer Use gas to to assist minisplits in winter. Did I get it right? Minisplits are definitely the easier and cheaper option up front. I had them installed in previous houses and it only takes an afternoon to get them retrofit, in a new install it might even be easier as the electrical and plumbing can be worked out in advance. What I have against them in the noise they make and the seem to waste a lot of energy (a lot of heat is produced by the external unit). I was sort of sold to the idea of hydronic floor heating as a sort of quite and ecological way to get warm in winter, but I might have to give up that idea..... __________________ Keep smiling Stefano To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.