TechGromit
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| 05/17/2008 11:53 PM |
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Can anyone explain to me why ductless mini split air conditioners units are any more efficent that window air conditioners? I understand that the system is composed of an outdoor unit, an indoor mounted evaporator unit, but i fail to see how this can be any more efficent than a window air conditioner with both of those parts intergrated into the same unit. |
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Brock
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| 05/18/2008 11:30 AM |
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| My only guess would be a better thermal break between the "hot" side and "cold" side. In a window A/C unit they are pretty darn close and you get some heat transfer both ways. In a split I would assume there would be better separation. Along those same lines I would imagine the air infiltration around a window unit would be much greater then a wall mounted unit. |
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Green Bay, WI. - 4 ton horizontal, 16k gallon indoor pool, 1.8kw solar PV setup, 3400 sq ft |
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Raider Bill
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| 05/22/2008 2:24 PM |
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I'm interested in these for my house I'm building. Was thinking one in the master bedroom insead of a window unit for those hot muggy nights.
One of the reasons also maybe that they have a bigger evaporator, more area across. |
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cmkavala
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| 05/22/2008 8:50 PM |
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The seer ratings on the mini-splits are usually much greater than a window shaker and they are much quieter.
Stay away from the Fujitsu brand |
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Chris Kavala
chris@southernsips dot com
1-877-321-SIPS |
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wags16
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| 05/28/2008 8:14 AM |
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Window units are still typically rated at 9 seer while mini spits like traditional systems are now required to have a seer rating of 13 or higher. You also only have the potential leakage from a window unit versus the mini split which installed inside of the home with only a 3" hole used to run the line set and electrical.
Cost Efficient
Typical efficiency ratings of Room Air Conditioners range from 9.0 to 12.0. Using Atlanta, GA, a cost of electricity of $0.10kW, and a 12,000 Btuh (3.5 kW) system as an example, the estimated annual operating costs are shown below:
Actual Operating Costs will vary with operating conditions, the room set point, habits or occupants, the geographical location of the house, the size of the unit relative to the load and the cost of electricity.
Enviroir Room Air Conditioner viroAir Room Air Conditioner
13.0 SEER 9.0 EER 10.0 EER 11.0 EER 12.0 EER
$383 $615 $553 $503 $461
www.hvacagents.com
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roxley
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| 10/02/2008 10:46 AM |
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| the advantages of the mini splits over window units are many. They have better temperature control and humidity control as well. The efficiency comes from the units ability to "ramp up" to heat or cool as needed. The compressors have many speeds, unlike window units that have one speed - full blast. The SEER rating reflects the efficiency level at max output, but the units really never hit that if sized properly. In addition to using environmentally friendly refridgerant, and advanced humidity control, some models can bring in outdoor air at a controlled level. Very important because homes are being built more air tight these days. |
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newsie23
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| 10/02/2008 11:50 AM |
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| The heat option, is generally efficient to the freezing level vs electrical heating. Good for cool nights! (If desired) |
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Raider Bill
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| 10/02/2008 12:31 PM |
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Could be a pain in the #$% with a ICF house unless you planned for them.
Pounding a 3" hole would be a chore. |
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senecarr
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| 10/03/2008 5:27 PM |
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| I had just recently had this come up in an e-mail. The difference appears to be the split systems have larger coil sizes. |
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Bruce Frey
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| 10/04/2008 4:15 AM |
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Posted By roxley on 10/02/2008 10:46 AM
the advantages of the mini splits over window units are many. They have better temperature control and humidity control as well. The efficiency comes from the units ability to "ramp up" to heat or cool as needed. The compressors have many speeds, unlike window units that have one speed - full blast. The SEER rating reflects the efficiency level at max output, but the units really never hit that if sized properly. In addition to using environmentally friendly refridgerant, and advanced humidity control, some models can bring in outdoor air at a controlled level. Very important because homes are being built more air tight these days.
The mini splits use sophisticated Variable Refrigerant Flow tenchology (min splits are known as VRV or VRF), variable speed compressors and high tech controls to deliver the goods. They are also "heat pumps" and not "air conditioners" . It is like comparing the technology of a 1960's car to a new one.
We had two Daikin units installed in our flat for air conditioning, but on chilly mornings like today, the heat is nice (the central heating water is not turned on until Oct 15). They are great! A nice feature is that they also have a dehumidification cycle.
Bruce
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mcgee
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| 02/18/2009 2:16 PM |
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| Ramsond 9000 btu heat pump $699. plus shipping 150. everthing is prewired and line precharged |
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Jelly
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| 02/18/2009 3:34 PM |
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| Any thoughts on advantages of a ductless mini split air source heat pump system versus a central split air source heat pump system? |
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mcgee
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| 02/18/2009 4:03 PM |
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| mini splits are good for spot ac , central air for whole house |
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TechGromit
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| 06/02/2009 9:09 AM |
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Posted By Bruce Frey on 10/04/2008 4:15 AM
The mini splits use sophisticated Variable Refrigerant Flow tenchology (min splits are known as VRV or VRF), variable speed compressors and high tech controls to deliver the goods. They are also "heat pumps" and not "air conditioners" . It is like comparing the technology of a 1960's car to a new one.
Bruce
I thought that's what Air conditioner basically where, heat pumps, they move heat from inside the house to the outside, just like a refrigerator moves heat. |
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jonr
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| 06/02/2009 10:23 AM |
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I think one could build a window unit to be as efficient as a mini-split, but it isn't usually done. Window units are usually in the low initial cost, DIY install market. Noisy and leaky too.
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Bruce Frey
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| 06/06/2009 2:53 AM |
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Posted By TechGromit on 06/02/2009 9:09 AM
Posted By Bruce Frey on 10/04/2008 4:15 AM
The mini splits use sophisticated Variable Refrigerant Flow tenchology (min splits are known as VRV or VRF), variable speed compressors and high tech controls to deliver the goods. They are also "heat pumps" and not "air conditioners" . It is like comparing the technology of a 1960's car to a new one.
Bruce
I thought that's what Air conditioner basically where, heat pumps, they move heat from inside the house to the outside, just like a refrigerator moves heat.
The 2.8l engine in my 1963 Ford Falcon made 101 hp. An average 2.8l Euro or Japaneses engine today makes >180 hp and a high performance version will produce 250 hp. Both will get better economy and last longer than my 63 Ford.
Most window units are old technology.
Bruce
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ecobuilder
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| 06/15/2009 11:36 PM |
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I don't know about lasting longer than the Ford Falcon, if it had the straight six it's probably still running. And just like a window AC using 3 times the energy to get from here to there.
Tom Pittsley
ecobuilder@aol.com
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"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is." Jackson Brown |
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rykertest
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| 08/14/2009 8:43 AM |
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mcgee - I've been looking at these units for my whole icf house, but this is the thought I keep having. Would one of these units (the multi split like the dainkan recc. in another thread) be good for a 2500 sq ft house? I really like the idea of these, I mean I REALLY like not having to pay an hvac guy thousands and have to deal with ducts everywhere, but will this do the job?
Also, those of you that have these systems installed, does it remove the humidity outside or use a condensation pump to remove it or what?
I wonder if by the time I get this system with 4 vents around the home, if I'd be better off to just go traditional? If the cost was the same as traditional, I'd still go with this type of system because it would be faster and I could do it myself.
Thanks!
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Alton
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| 08/14/2009 11:46 AM |
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rykertest,
The Daikin systems that are ceiling mounted pump the condensate to the exterior. I do not know about the mini-splits. |
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Alton C. Keown
Residential Designer and Construction Technology Consultant
Auburn, Alabama
E-mail: alton at auburn dot edu |
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rykertest
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| 08/14/2009 12:58 PM |
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| ok thanks alton. |
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