One or Two Heatpumps for My Building

I have a 3 floor brownstone which I want to retrofit with a multi-zone Heatpump. We will have 8 total zones– 4 Zones per floor. The basement will not be heated.

Now, I know there are many heatpump models which will do up-to 8-Zones PER unit.

But my question is:

Is there any advantage to installing TWO 4-Zone units (one dedicated per floor) as opposed to a SINGLE 8-Zone unit?

My thought is that if any single unit fails, say in the middle of a hot August, I would have an alternative cool air floor to reside in until the broken unit is fixed. Also, the 8 Zone models are pretty tall, and I am concerned that if I mount them on my roof– they may be susceptible to winds. Any other benefits?

jjq

in Heating and Cooling 11 years and 11 months ago

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jjq | 11 years and 11 months ago

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These vids are pretty good also:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14MmsNPtn6U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErQSm-vLRWw

jjq | 11 years and 11 months ago

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This is  a GREAT link which explains the new INVERTER technology, and operation at -4 degrees F.   http://www.sunandclimate.com/products/9-air-conditioning.html

jjq | 11 years and 11 months ago

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Well Im no expert, but from looking at existing Internet resources, It does look like the technology has improved over the last 4 or 5 years– making it viable to use Heat Pumps here in NYC.

Take a look at “inverter” type heat pumps which can operate at temps below freezing and even at 0 degrees.

A got several interesting hits when searching in google for:

“inverter heat pump in cold climates”

Or simply:

“Inverter Heat Pump”

This youtube vid is pretty good also:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E_yqB7drsE

BobMarvin | 11 years and 11 months ago

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Please educate me. I always thought that heat pumps were good for heating and cooling in climates where it didn’gt get very cold in the winter, but that they were inadequate in the northeast because they couldn’t heat properly in cold winter weather. Are the heat pumps in question to be used for heating and cooling and does this mean that they have been improved enough gto be practicable in our climate? If gthey’re just to be used for cooling, are they more efficent, or otherwise better than conventional AC?

ellenlourie | 11 years and 11 months ago

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Electrical usage mostly related to amount of cooling and humidity handled by unit, and in NYC humidity load might be greater than cooling load. Also sizing of the unit very important. Over or under sized units will use more electricity. Go for inverted compressor models and high SEER. They save 30% of electricity comparing to regular. And most important, get smart installer. He is deciding factor in efficiency and comfort.

jjq | 11 years and 11 months ago

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I guess the other thought I had is about electricity use– Does the lower cost of running ONE unit outweigh the (somewhat minor) advantages of running TWO units? Or will the ONE (8 zone) unit use up as much or more electric than TWO (4 zone) units?