Benefits of split AC units

y’all,
I am considering installing split AC units instead of replacing the windows ACs. As a part of it I need to rationalize the cost of the installation. I figured out that split units consume 30-40% less electricity when cooling compared to the window units. So saving in electricity is easy to calculate.
Now the split units have invertors and can help heating up the house. I want to calculate how much saving would I get to heat up house with inverter split Units compared to the gas fired hydronic heating. The heating uses 85% efficient boiler and multi zone delivery.
Can someone provide a method to calculate this or some anecdotal examples.

thank you.

bobjohn

in General Discussion 3 years and 1 month ago

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Lurker | 3 years ago

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850mph: Yeah see above re solar–those batteries aren’t legal in NYC yet due to fire code concerns and so you won’t be able to do that yet.

jrs84o | 3 years ago

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Just one other thing.. We keep ONE of TWO Mitsubishi Hyper Heats on basically for 12-14 hours a day.. either upstairs or downstairs.. never both at the same time. This strategy adds aprox $300 month to my basic electric bill.

We are thinking about installing a whole house battery, and “time shift” the electric costs to between 12midnight and 7am. Last time I looked the all in, average cost of Time of Use billing was about 1/10th standard billing…. Theoretically TOU billing and a battery should save a bucket load for Heat Pump usage.

The only problem is the city has not figured out the permitting process yet.

Any comments on this?

jrs84o | 3 years ago

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Search the forum for MANY threads on this…..

Bottom Line:

Unless your house is insulated properly you will not save any money once the HP equipment and installation costs are amortized.

Don’t be fooled by the “inverter” technology… The compressor and air handler run literally “all the time” in a poorly insulated house in the depths of winter, and even the units rated at 10 below (Mitsubishi Hyer Heat, which I have) don’t pump enough heat into a 14×14 room to make you feel comfortable.

Stick to forced air.. which can blow up to 130 degrees as the air outlet, or steam which can blow 150 degrees or greater.

Lurker | 3 years ago

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Not a heating specialist, but someone who has looking into it for our home and come to the conclusion that unless your house is very well insulated and currently you run all your window ACs constantly at full blast I don’t think you’ll ever amortize the cost (I’m assuming $20-40k for mini-split) That’s not a reason to not get them, but window ACs typically are used only when you’re in the room, many are relatively efficient, and even if they add $100 a month to your electrical bill for summer months it would take longer than the lifespan of your mini-split to recoup the cost, like decades. You would be paying for comfort and convenience but not actually saving cash.
Happy to hear if I’m wrong.

stevecym | 3 years ago

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We have window ac here. I work in houses with split a/c. Do yourself a favor, get the split ac.

ceci | 3 years ago

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If you research on past forum threads, you’ll find valuable information re! Split AC’s!!!