new heater in cottage

DRH · 02-29-2016, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8gv

With no dog in this hunt...

Is there a difference in the electrical requirements for the mini split system vs the gas unit? If so, does the existing panel have capacity appropriate to the task?

We had two mini-split units installed. The 18K BTU unit took a 20 amp circuit and the 12K BTU unit took a 15 amp circuit.

SteveO123 · 02-29-2016, 07:28 PM

Hi,

We've got 5 of the HyperHeat Mini-splits and love them. They are great at providing heat very efficiently most of the time. And they are a home run for AC.

I would slightly caution anyone who is considering these units as their prime source of heat to carefully consider their heat loss calculations and overall heating needs. We have found that although the units operate efficiently down below zero, the heat loss of the house means they have to work harder (read more costly and need to pump out proportionally more heat under greater stress)

This is our second winter with them, and I have run our oil heat this winter much more often when it gets very cold. (as oil has been much cheaper). The mini splits are awesome but have specific advantages and limitations. You can get 95% of your winter heat from them very efficiently, but that remaining 5% where it is crazy cold might be a real challenge.

greenbuilding advisor has several articles relating to the use of these heat pumps as primary heating units. As mentioned in a previous post, be sure to ask for a good heat loss calculation before committing to purchase. Most system vendors will come in and do a quick SF measurement to "size" the recommended unit. This practice is NOT good enough.

Good luck and stay warm!

-Steve

tummyman · 02-29-2016, 09:31 PM

We have a 36000 Mini Split Mitsubishi....love it. Does all it is advertised to do. However, we, like the previous writer, play the cost game in the winter. With the cost of oil so low and the NHEC cost of electricity raised in the winter by high amounts, we have elected to stop using the Mitsubishi now for the second winter and relied instead on our hydronic oil heat system. Saved a ton of money. The first year we had the system, we ran it all winter. No issues and with the oil cost high, we actually saved some money, but not as much as they advertise. These units are great, but if you have two options...oil and Mini split, you have the best of both worlds and can really play the commodity cost game. We originally did the mini splits for air conditioning and the heat pump for winter was a lucky strike bonus. Remember, these units do consume a lot of electricity in the winter....that is why NHEC gives rebates.....they want you to buy the units to increase their electric sales overall. All in all, mini splits are great, but make sure you are aware of the cost differences.

02-29-2016, 07:28 PM	#2
SteveO123 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Laconia, Lake Opechee Posts: 187 Thanks: 286 Thanked 90 Times in 48 Posts	Mitsubishi vote-with caveat Hi, We've got 5 of the HyperHeat Mini-splits and love them. They are great at providing heat very efficiently *most of the time.* And they are a home run for AC. I would slightly caution anyone who is considering these units as their prime source of heat to carefully consider their heat loss calculations and overall heating needs. We have found that although the units operate efficiently down below zero, the heat loss of the house means they have to work harder (read more costly and need to pump out proportionally more heat under greater stress) This is our second winter with them, and I have run our oil heat this winter much more often when it gets very cold. (as oil has been much cheaper). The mini splits are awesome but have specific advantages and limitations. You can get 95% of your winter heat from them very efficiently, but that remaining 5% where it is crazy cold might be a real challenge. greenbuilding advisor has several articles relating to the use of these heat pumps as primary heating units. As mentioned in a previous post, be sure to ask for a good heat loss calculation before committing to purchase. Most system vendors will come in and do a quick SF measurement to "size" the recommended unit. This practice is NOT good enough. Good luck and stay warm! -Steve

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02-29-2016, 09:31 PM	#3
tummyman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 889 Thanks: 278 Thanked 764 Times in 271 Posts	We have a 36000 Mini Split Mitsubishi....love it. Does all it is advertised to do. However, we, like the previous writer, play the cost game in the winter. With the cost of oil so low and the NHEC cost of electricity raised in the winter by high amounts, we have elected to stop using the Mitsubishi now for the second winter and relied instead on our hydronic oil heat system. Saved a ton of money. The first year we had the system, we ran it all winter. No issues and with the oil cost high, we actually saved some money, but not as much as they advertise. These units are great, but if you have two options...oil and Mini split, you have the best of both worlds and can really play the commodity cost game. We originally did the mini splits for air conditioning and the heat pump for winter was a lucky strike bonus. Remember, these units do consume a lot of electricity in the winter....that is why NHEC gives rebates.....they want you to buy the units to increase their electric sales overall. All in all, mini splits are great, but make sure you are aware of the cost differences.