Mini splits as sole heat source: practical and philosophical questions

So, we’re at the point where we’re considering mini splits of the HyperHeat variety.

It’s been about a year since I’ve seen much discussed about using the HyperHeat-type units as sole heat source, and I know a few more of you have probably installed them since then.

Regardless I also have a somewhat philosophical question for you old house lovers: our hydronic radiators are original and beautiful. Though we would LOVE to gain the space from removing them (and the beast of a boiler we have), I feel really torn about tearing out this “house jewelry.” I just get a bit of a sinking feeling when thinking about pulling them out. Thoughts?

FWIW:
-we have solar panels but still curious as to electric bill impact – if it’s HUGE, forget it
-we have 352 year old natural gas boiler the size of a volkswagen that somehow manages to heat our ~2,000 sq ft single fam for max $270/mo in the dead of winter — we love it and feel no real urge to replace

I’m interested in your personal experiences and advice!

greenworks

in General Discussion 6 years and 9 months ago

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randolph | 6 years and 8 months ago

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“Cost to fix it is around $23K.”

This was the cost of the proper outdoor unit or you also had to change out the indoor units too?

robertbullock | 6 years and 8 months ago

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Slightly off topic but do be sure if you’re going for ducted mini split HVAC, you get the Hyper Heat or equivalent. Though it’s standard for the NYC market, it turned out our idiot contractor installed a non-Hyper Heat system, which is not sufficient for NY winters. Cost to fix it is around $23K.

greenworks | 6 years and 9 months ago

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@bocuckoo if you search this forum for the term “mini split” you’ll find some extensive discussions on it, particularly one titled “Cold weather challenges when heating with mini splits” from last year.

There’s also some good info on this thread.

bocuckoo | 6 years and 9 months ago

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Would anyone be willing to discuss their experience with hyper heat? I am considering for a small frame house. Thanks

greenworks | 6 years and 9 months ago

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Thanks everyone — I def have my answer.

We were considering the hyper heat models but maybe we’ll save some dough and go with the standard heat if we’re not using it as sole source.

We’re in the process of getting quotes and want to pick installer very very soon — would you recommend your installer? We’re waiting on a quote from Sam from HomeAir (hi Sam!), who is highly recommended here but always open to other suggestions.

Also taking suggestions for Unico installers as well, would still consider them but the “preferred” contractors listed on the site don’t exactly have inspiring reviews.

murph | 6 years and 9 months ago

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If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

daveinbedstuy | 6 years and 9 months ago

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Yes, it was me. I absolutely love it. But you have to make sure the installer knows what they are doing. The number of outlets has to be enough for the system such that there’s no whistling which I understand is the biggest complaint. My guys actually asked about where we could add a few more so it didn’t happen and it does’t. I couldn’t be happier. They are great for retrofitting.

greenworks | 6 years and 9 months ago

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@dibs — was it you who had the Unico system installed in a property out of the city several years ago? If so, how has that been going? I hardly hear about those types of systems any more!

daveinbedstuy | 6 years and 9 months ago

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Sounds like you answered your own question describing the efficiency of the existing ancient boiler and the radiators, with the exception of gaining space.

cate | 6 years and 9 months ago

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Another great thing about radiators is they retain heat for a good long time even when they are off.

randolph | 6 years and 9 months ago

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> @mozeeatupu
> ineffective and costly.

in my experience: ineffective, no. costly, sometimes.

randolph | 6 years and 9 months ago

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> @empathie00
> the mini split heat function isn’t designed to work below about 30 degrees

this is not true with the newer models, see specs here for the model we have

https://meus.mylinkdrive.com/files/PUMY-P60NKMU(-BS)_Submittal.pdf

Operating Temperature Range
Cooling (Outdoor) *1 23° F ~ 115° F (-5 ° ~ +46° C) DB
Heating (Outdoor) -4° F ~ +60° F (-20 ° ~ +15° C) WB

again, I will not argue that in cold months the electric bill is high but that is slightly offset by low gas bill year round.

empathie00 | 6 years and 9 months ago

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We have mini splits for AC, but they have heat pumps too. 3 years ago, our boiler died on the coldest night of the year (one of those days where the high was 4) – boiler tech couldn’t come til morning and it was so cold inside I was worried about pipes freezing so I thought – ah, we’ll just use the mini splits and it’ll at least keep the house warm enough that the pipes won’t freeze. Had them on all night and they never managed to put out more than room temp air. I thought the heat function was broken so I called the manufacturer and the installer and both said the mini split heat function isn’t designed to work below about 30 degrees. So you’d probably be fine 75% of the time, but the times when you REALLY need the heat, when it’s well below freezing outside, you’d be stuck. I certainly wouldn’t rely on them as our sole heat source, unless there’s a new model that’s fully functional in sub zero wether (and backed by a person who will come out in the middle of the night to make it work if needed!) Good luck.

mozeeatupu | 6 years and 9 months ago

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Just mini splits for heat is not a good choice. It’s ineffective and costly.
Developers use them because it’s easy to do and puts the cost burden of heat onto the tenant.

randolph | 6 years and 9 months ago

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we put in mini splits for heating and cooling because it seemed easier and cheaper at the time. the system works well especially for cooling, but i will not lie about the costs in the winter. in a cold February my electric bill can get to almost $700 (house is 3 floors that are about 20 x 35 each so not huge). that said my gas bill is about $50 or less year round.

SoSlope | 6 years and 9 months ago

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I have the same question. Mini-splits as sole heating source seems to be all the rage in flips. However, I am curious about efficiency. Also, a friend who built a house with mini splits for heat added some resistive electric heat for when the temperature really drops.

EJR | 6 years and 9 months ago

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I have mini splits but kept my radiators and ancient boiler. The radiators do a wonderful job of cheaply heating my house. I find plaster walls also retain heat/cool much better than drywall. I don’t use the mini splits as a primary heat source, but I’ve heard anecdotally that mini-splits don’t really cut it for heat in the dead of winter. Since we are on a single heat zone, however, some rooms get warmer than others, so I do use the mini-splits as a supplemental heat source and for this they work fine.