The Energy Star Efficiency Myth - Page 6

 

           Thanks, I looked at that and found

http://www.ajmadison.com/b.php/Heat+&+Cool+Air+Conditioners/N~74

            And realized I don't need a split unit, I can put two
of those in back rooms and I have a small through-the-wall
fan that will circulate the heat through the whole house
if I open the right doors.

            That way I can heat more space for less than
I am heating now, and the price of natural gas will
not be a nightmare.

             I have an air conditioner there now, but it
will work just as well with heat if I do a little insulation.

Joe Fischer

 
The low end "mini split" systems with heat pump operation are not much more
if you need really need one.

That is if you know how to put one in yourself.
If you don't, then the cost of having a professional put it in, can easily
exceed the cost of the unit.

If you hunt around for surplus mini splits then you can find them for about
the same price as the window heat pumps.

http://www.appliancediscountwarehouse.com/soairmiairco.html

http://www.appliancediscountwarehouse.com/himispaircoh.html

http://app.infopia.com/Shop/Control/fp/cat/73428/SFV/31928

http://www.themaytag.com/soair18btumi.html


Current production high end 18,000BTU mini split heat pumps are running
around the $1500 to $1700 range right now.


The old froogle search again.

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?hl=en&q=%22mini%20split%22&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wf

On the very high end, a tri zone 36000BTU system can be had for about $4000

http://www.pricent.com/product_info.php?products_id �8186

Three separate indoor units, that can go in three separate rooms, with one
outside unit.

 

             It's more fun doing things for the first time. :-)

             It wouldn't make sense to spend too much on
it here as a backup system is needed for temperatures
below freezing.
            So I don't need a lot of capacity, just enough
to save money during most of the year.

             I  will still use vented natural gas space heaters
(with add on efficiency devices) for real cold weather,
and my existing baseboard heat some in between for
my immediate space without heating the whole house.

             There are a lot of products that are hard to find,
knowing keywords to search for helps, but links are a lot
quicker, thanks.

Joe Fischer

 wrote:


Thanks for the links and stuff.

You are probarbly correct in that Its a bit pricey compared to
US-prices. But they are on the low end in my market, if you do not
count in the realy cheap "china models" witch often does not have
defrosting and/or uses por coolants.

Then again it's a proper unit with separate ouside and indoor units.

If I had those links a bit earlyer, I may have choosen to import it
myself though.

These units used to be a lot more expensive, as they were not normaly
sold due to low electricity prices. Now the marklet is bigger with
better products and lower prices(They used to be 50-100% more
expenside 3-5 years ago). But we still have a way to go.

BTW: If my unit follows the normal pricing ratio no-us, it would
probarbly cost  about 1100US$ in the us.:-) Everything is expensive
here, only thing that makes it worthwile is the high salaries.:-)
("minimum vage" is about US$13)

--
SEE YA !!!
Trygve Lillefosse
AKA - Malawi, The Fisher King

 On Thu, 15 Feb 2007 19:30:32 +0100, Trygve Lillefosse

            Is that installed?        I payed $189 for a
5000 BTU/hr small window unit.

            There would really be a big market for a small
heat only split-unit air to air heat pump, anybody using
electric resistance could not resist the savings, and
if natural gas goes up, heat pumps could dominate
the market.


           Larger units are common, but are costly, and
require professional installation and high amperage
resistance backup elements for colder temperatures.          
           I think a small unit that a DIY could install would
be a good seller, surely with new freon a licensed
installer would not be needed for a split unit as long
as there is no leaks.

           Natural gas here went up to $1.50 ccf after
Katrina, but is back down below $.80 now.
           If it goes up again, a lot of people will be
looking for something better.

Joe Fischer