Mini Split install - Page 20

WyrTwister · 09-15-14, 01:45 AM

If you add up the mini split & the window units , we still have 4 ton of cooling . But , as you said , by only running what is needed , we zone the house / cooling as daily needs / usage changes .

A lot of the time , we are not running all 4 tons .

God bless
Wyr

pinballlooking · 09-25-14, 03:56 PM

I thought I would share my natural gas bill for the last 2 years. If you look at the heating months you can see the effect the Mini splits have had on our natural gas heating bill.

Two things to keep in mind last winter (2014) was one of the coldest winters on record. I did not have Mini splits in my kid’s bedrooms last winter. So this winter should be even better. Now that the kids rooms have mini splits.

We have natural gas hot water and heat that is all that we uses natural gas for.

I think they cool better than they heat based on energy usage anyway. They allowed me to save 3,710 KWH this summer and I will push into the winter months to cover their energy usage for heating this winter.

Our heating months are Oct,Nov,Dec,Jan,Feb,Apr but you get billed for what you used so push all these forward one month.

Twelve months back from sept 2014 total bill: $342.42

2013 total bill: $848.08 a savings of $505.66 compared Twelve months before this

I was able to get actual usage

jeff5may · 09-25-14, 06:17 PM

That's some mighty impressive savings from year to year.

I keep telling people considering switching from resistance or petroleum heating that a heat pump system will level their utility bill, but for some reason they just don't believe it.

"I mean, how can that little mini-split heat the house like the old balloon burner? It just won't blast with that scorching noise..."

At least now I can show them your gas bill.

pinballlooking · 09-25-14, 11:48 PM

Thanks we were pleased and I really hope this will be my netzero year.

I know I will still have gas hot water natural gas bill but I am covering my car gas so that is more than a wash.

ctgottapee · 09-26-14, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

Thanks we were pleased and I really hope this will be my netzero year.

I know I will still have gas hot water natural gas bill but I am covering my car gas so that is more than a wash.

In your area, you should consider killing NG all together, especially if they charge a high monthly meter/billing charge.
I killed NG and saved $19.72 a month just in their fees - an extra $235 a year for other projects.

You also get rid of the risks that come with residential burning, extra costs of maintenance, and can seal up the home better with out needing the intake and exhaust air.

My switch to mini-split (electric with electric water heater) is at break even based on util costs at this point, with some other upgrades to go. Comfort level is improved for all but the coldest nights where the mini cycles a bit much and is noisy doing it.

pinballlooking · 09-26-14, 12:08 PM

I have considered it but when it gets below freezing it sure nice to switch to gas heat. It does not happen that many days. But I already have the backup heat in place.

I just put in a Takagi T-H3-DV with 0.95 energy factor gas tankless hotwater heater last year. We supply the barn with hot water from the house not many tanks would allow me to do that. It is about 130’away.

The meter charge is $7.50 a month I think it is worth it for now. We are just outside Greenville SC it gets colder here than you would think.

Wkmaylish · 11-12-14, 08:22 PM

@pinballlooking-

I noticed you looped your excess lineset. Do you know if this is ok? I thought I read that the coil would trap oil and that a serpentine pattern should be used instead.

pinballlooking · 11-12-14, 09:26 PM

I just went with the install manual and install videos that I watched. It comes precharged for a 25’ lineset.
It is easier to do DIY and not shorten the line set but it does look better if you do shorten it. but you need to adjust the charge if your shorten it.

I am not a HVAC guy but there are some very knowledgeable guys on this forum. Maybe one of them will jump in and give a better answer.

Xringer · 11-12-14, 10:20 PM

I've got a bunch of coils in my 25' lineset.. Not a problem so far.

theoldwizard1 · 11-13-14, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff5may

I keep telling people considering switching from resistance or petroleum heating that a heat pump system will level their utility bill, but for some reason they just don't believe it.

Mini-splits are CLEARLY the wave of the future for most parts of the US ! With 3 or 4 heads and between room air flow it should easily handle a 1500 sq ft home.

I still think any one north of the 40th parallel can not rely on an air-sourced heat pump as their primary heat source 12 months a year. Either it has to be ground-sourced or have an alternative heat source for 3-4 months of the year.

09-25-14, 03:56 PM	#192
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I thought I would share my natural gas bill for the last 2 years. If you look at the heating months you can see the effect the Mini splits have had on our natural gas heating bill. Two things to keep in mind last winter (2014) was one of the coldest winters on record. I did not have Mini splits in my kid’s bedrooms last winter. So this winter should be even better. Now that the kids rooms have mini splits. We have natural gas hot water and heat that is all that we uses natural gas for. I think they cool better than they heat based on energy usage anyway. They allowed me to save 3,710 KWH this summer and I will push into the winter months to cover their energy usage for heating this winter. Our heating months are Oct,Nov,Dec,Jan,Feb,Apr but you get billed for what you used so push all these forward one month. Twelve months back from sept 2014 total bill: $342.42 2013 total bill: $848.08 a savings of $505.66 compared Twelve months before this I was able to get actual usage Attached Thumbnails Last edited by pinballlooking; 09-26-14 at 10:48 AM..

09-25-14, 06:17 PM	#193
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,428 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	That's some mighty impressive savings from year to year. I keep telling people considering switching from resistance or petroleum heating that a heat pump system will level their utility bill, but for some reason they just don't believe it. "I mean, how can that little mini-split heat the house like the old balloon burner? It just won't blast with that scorching noise..." At least now I can show them your gas bill. Last edited by jeff5may; 09-26-14 at 05:23 PM.. Reason: awesome savings

09-26-14, 12:08 PM	#196
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I have considered it but when it gets below freezing it sure nice to switch to gas heat. It does not happen that many days. But I already have the backup heat in place. I just put in a Takagi T-H3-DV with 0.95 energy factor gas tankless hotwater heater last year. We supply the barn with hot water from the house not many tanks would allow me to do that. It is about 130’away. The meter charge is $7.50 a month I think it is worth it for now. We are just outside Greenville SC it gets colder here than you would think. Last edited by pinballlooking; 09-26-14 at 01:46 PM..

11-12-14, 08:22 PM	#197
Wkmaylish Lurking Renovator Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Ohio Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Looped line set @pinballlooking- I noticed you looped your excess lineset. Do you know if this is ok? I thought I read that the coil would trap oil and that a serpentine pattern should be used instead.

11-12-14, 10:20 PM	#199
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	I've got a bunch of coils in my 25' lineset.. Not a problem so far. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

09-15-14, 01:45 AM	#191
WyrTwister Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: USA Posts: 543 Thanks: 6 Thanked 44 Times in 38 Posts	If you add up the mini split & the window units , we still have 4 ton of cooling . But , as you said , by only running what is needed , we zone the house / cooling as daily needs / usage changes . A lot of the time , we are not running all 4 tons . God bless Wyr

09-25-14, 11:48 PM	#194
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Thanks we were pleased and I really hope this will be my netzero year. I know I will still have gas hot water natural gas bill but I am covering my car gas so that is more than a wash.

11-12-14, 09:26 PM	#198
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I just went with the install manual and install videos that I watched. It comes precharged for a 25’ lineset. It is easier to do DIY and not shorten the line set but it does look better if you do shorten it. but you need to adjust the charge if your shorten it. I am not a HVAC guy but there are some very knowledgeable guys on this forum. Maybe one of them will jump in and give a better answer.