HVAC
Has anyone used a mini-split heat pump to heat their brownstone? We are considering it but are worried about the monthly energy costs. Thanks
Has anyone used a mini-split heat pump to heat their brownstone? We are considering it but are worried about the monthly energy costs.
Thanks
Mini Splits are getting better for cold climates.
They are more efficient than furnaces and boilers, but you get hurt in NYC by the natural gas to electric exchange (natural gas is 3 to 5 times cheaper).
Ideally, your mini split is 3 to 4 times as efficient as the furnace, but in cold weather, this may average around 2 times as efficient (and all the way down to 1 to 1 in very cold weather). It really depends on the unit.
Of course, if you’re using a boiler with a bunch of window unit ACs, heat pump operation cost may balance out in savings in the summer.
Its likely that heat pump will cost more for heating, but like I said, they are getting better. Look into ‘cold weather heat pumps.’
we put in mini-splits in every room in our house for A/C purposes in the summer. we also have hyrdonic baseboard heating. I am aware of the fact that the mini splits are not supposed to be great for really cold weather, but they seemed to work fine for us. we used them upstairs throughout this winter, and they pumped heat on even very cold days. they also sell “boosters” you can use so that your mini splits will be good for even the coldest temps. I can’t speak to their efficiency in very cold weather, but I can say that they’ve kept us warm.
Heat pumps in NYC climate are useful for shoulder seasons, when they are quite efficient.
When it is 50 degrees, they pump heat into your home with no problem, but be advised that the heated air temp measures warm by gauge, but won’t feel as warm as air from a radiator.
If you are installing mini-splits for cooling, the upgrade cost to heat pump units is not that great, so I have made the choice at times to go with heat pump units.
But you still will need a winter heating solution.
Really bad idea given the extreme cold we get in NYC
Heat pumps do not work well in cold climates.
bad idea