Heat pump thoughts

[jeff5may]

I didn't mean to offend anyone having this conversation. I agree that there are lots of licensed journeymen and contractors that do an exceptional job of performing service work. But many times, it's not the serviceman that comes out to do audits and quotes.

Yes, there are many installers that also do sales, but there are many that just fulfill workorders. The planning and selection process in these cases is previously done by someone entirely different: architects, engineers, regional salesmen, route managers, business owners, etc. By the time the service pro makes it to the job site, everything is pretty much decided already.

In Nonhog's situation, they probably will never see a contractor at their door. Royce Raleigh III got the boot before he could close a proper deal. Hopefully he gives good analyses.

[NiHaoMike]

If you want to do it right, do some more reading, then do it yourself. You don't even need EPA 608 if you opt for a R410a system, though it's easy to get and you'll have a much better time with the stores if you do.

[jeff5may]

Nonhog,

So have you heard anything from the energy auditor?
Heating season is upon us. Have you decided what to do or done anything yet?

[Nonhog]

Originally Posted by jeff5may

Nonhog,

So have you heard anything from the energy auditor?
Heating season is upon us. Have you decided what to do or done anything yet?

Still in yap mode. LOL Just about done with our last car payment. For sure going to do this. Had people over for Thanksgiving and it was an ice box in the atrium.

I tend to look at the low priced ones. Need to study reviews. I'll jump up in price if the research indicates I do so.

And yes I got my report. They were very cordial.
Thanks for asking!

[Nonhog]

Originally Posted by mejunkhound

I added a 3T to son's hose and kept his nat gas furnace in place (near you, Kent, WA, so climate the same, his is 5000 sq ft house, the 3T work fine all year)

Buy 2 ea 1T or 1.5T inverter driven mini-splits online (19+ seer, about $1100 each including shippipng, saves you $200 sales tax right off)

Doing my homework, (time to fill Propane at nearly a dollar a gallon more than last fill) Considering a heat pump added to furnace as well as a mini split in the atrium. Or?

Where did you get your 3T system for your sons home? Local?

Also anyone who would like to add links of good places to buy mini splits
online (or local, Seattle-Tacoma) love to hear it!

[pinballlooking]

https://www.acwholesalers.com/Ductle...inCat=&subCat=
I had good luck with these guys. Look out for coupon codes and they have free shipping. Some of higher efficiency models can pay for the extra cost in the long run.

I am not sure what size you are looking for.

[jeff5may]

I just found a couple outdoor units on craigslist 2 days ago for another ecorenovator:


Modern, 25 SEER inverter 1 ton R410 unit

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/app/4222695296.html


Old school, 3 ton R22 unit
http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/app/4223959403.html

At under $150 each, they are most likely long gone.

Today didn't turn up such gems:

Heat Pump w/ Matching Coil, 3 ton
owner is asking $600, central split system


Mitsubishi duct less heat pump a/c
2 ton 19 SEER Mitsi mini-split with indoor unit + remote, $800 you come remove it.

As a rule I seldom pay asking price on craigslist unless the item is just dirt cheap.

[AC_Hacker]

Originally Posted by jeff5may

I just found a couple outdoor units...

The Mr Slim is a really great unit, but I know of no one who has succeeded hacking this or a similar unit, AND who will share their method, such that others could follow.

Xringer was able to get a deal on a used inside unit of the same make & model.

The 'old school' units, on the other hand, are relatively straight forward to hack.

-AC

[jeff5may]

Old school ODU from post # 27 is back, this time only $90!

Heat Pump

For $90, this unit is worth it even if the compressor is bad. Needs at least an indoor unit.

[AC_Hacker]

Originally Posted by jeff5may

Old school ODU from post # 27 is back, this time only $90!

Heat Pump

For $90, this unit is worth it even if the compressor is bad. Needs at least an indoor unit.

Indeed! This would be a really good starting point.

On this vintage (pre-minisplit), they didn't really have an "indoor unit".

Rather, they have an air handler that is inserted into the forced air system, and a properly sized set of evaporator coils is inside the air handler. Then a thermostat completes the setup.

It wouldn't be a huge challenge to substitute a large brazed plate HX for the evaporator coils in a forced air system (TXV instead of cap tubes), and use such a rig to heat a concrete slab (rigorously insulated on the underside, of course).

Quiet, efficient, thrifty (they're essentially giving it away), readily obtainable parts...

I wouldn't be surprised if that unit still had a full charge of R22 already inside of it.

With a properly built slab, the temperature of the water-in could be pretty low (still gotta consider the overall heat load, of course).

I messed about with the Carnot efficiency theorem, and when you are able to lower the feed temp to the slab a little, the efficiency of the heat pump goes up a lot.

-AC