Ok, the more research I do the more it seems like I would be crazy getting anything other than a Mitsi based system. I'm sure more of an upfront cost but they seem extremely reliable, very quiet, extreme performance in low temps. This is something we plan to get a lot of use out of for the next 7-10yrs so I am now thinking, suck it up and find the money to get the best possible components for the long haul.
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Heatpumps, anyone want to comment if this is an decent deal?
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remember that there are 2 mitsi's! Mitsubihi Electric and Misubishi Heavy Industries - the latter is better.
Re the duct switches - we have these to 'zone' the house and it is this that annoys me the most. It is this part that is brain dead. Basically the main controller controls the heat pump and main zone (ie sets the base temp, no room can go over (for heating) or under (for cooling)). The duct vanes are controlled by seperate thermostats - simple devices that decide whether you are trying to cool or heat based on the temp differance between the aircon side and room side of the vane (ie is aircon side is higher you are trying to heat). When the hit equilibrium they ping as they switch between on and off. Also I thought I would be able to turn the unit on blow (just recirculate air and act as a sort of DVS (I bring in some fresh air from outside)) but the vanes won't open because the thermo is dumb!
Central controller for the vanes with temp coming from the thermos is what is needed. Controlled by a touch screen unit. I'll make one one day and make a killing. Android based tablets are getting really cheap, couple of sensors, a motor controller and I'll be away.
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Sounds like a great idea Wayne. So do you think I would be better off with a split system downstairs instead of central system? There are 4 rooms. So maybe I can find a unit that powers 4 low wall heads? Then put a low wall head in each room. The only thing is we have a huge entrance area and the central was going to be sucking cold air out of this space, heating and then re-distributing it.
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Might pay to contact these guys if you want central heating.
They are in Tauranga but Im sure its not too hard to sort out for you down south:
Whole house gas-central heating system, fully installed and commissioned from $12,995 Inc GST Features:- Gas boiler 23 kW (can heat up to 300 m²)
- Gas connection
- Six radiators for three bedrooms, bathroom, living area and kitchen
- All pipework
- Digital controller/timer, with 6 time settings and 2 temperatures
- 3 year warranty on workmanship
- First service check for free
- Free onsite consultation
You can run radiators off a wet back which could be another option.Last edited by Maccachic; 23-03-2012, 04:18 PM.
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Originally posted by beakernz View PostNot even winter here yet and we have already had several days with indoor temps at 8 degrees. Yes, I've heard on and off burns the most power. I recently installed a wireless energy monitor that will tell us our energy costs per day. It's pretty cool actually. I plugged in our rate and it gives us our running costs based on consumption. So far our normal usage with oil heaters running all night seems around $5 a day. I'm hoping when we move to heatpumps this will be $10 a day or under (if we find a smart way to use them). I would say morning upstairs is turned off, lower floor is turned on to take out the chill. About 11am we turn all pumps off until 5pm then cut lower on again till about 11pm, then bedtime upstairs split system runs in the bedrooms and lower is turned off.
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Warm and comfortable means retaining the energy
Years ago we went through a similar situation, our house with southerly view was extremely cold.
$17k only for heating installation is quite some money plus running costs. Considering the intake will be by more than 20kWatt output, guessing average around 4kWatt multiplied by 8hrs usage, guessing further 20..30kWatt per day – I would be concerned about the power bill as electricity will rise in future that for sure.
Warm and dry, think about the health benefits and comfort. For taking out the chill we insulated and installed double glazed windows. If you lose heat less you save on long-term. Regardless the season the living areas have 20-21 centigrade, bathroom floor heating and the bedrooms timer controlled wall-panel heaters. Solar ventilation blows in warm air by zero running costs.
The same is achievable by standalone sized heat-pumps by room, but still warm and comfortable means retaining the energy you put in, that would be my focus thought.
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The problem I have with Central Heating is that it does just that - heat. When I lived in Chch deciding on heating for a house was easy - winter was long enough to make more expensive solutions worthwhile. When I moved to Hamilton I found the options dificult - a lot of money for 3 months use. So I decided heat pumps was the answer - at least you could use them during the summer to cool (except this Summer!) and spread the cost.
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Ive gone for a fire as at least if the worst happens (CHCH) you can still heat the house and cook on top of them. I also prefer the heat from a fire over a heat pump. Its is pricey around $3000 installed but divide this over the life of the house and we factored it into purchase price. We wil add a heat transfer kit for the bedrooms. House is well insulated now as well.
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Originally posted by Wayne View PostThe problem I have with Central Heating is that it does just that - heat. When I lived in Chch deciding on heating for a house was easy - winter was long enough to make more expensive solutions worthwhile. When I moved to Hamilton I found the options dificult - a lot of money for 3 months use. So I decided heat pumps was the answer - at least you could use them during the summer to cool (except this Summer!) and spread the cost.
We have central heating, radiators with gas boiler that also does the hot water. We also get solar heated water. If I chose again, I would stick with the central heating, bit ditch the solar hot water tank in favour of instant hot water. Probably cheaper in the long run.
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Yeah I saw that. Seems bizarre. We never need to set our pumps over 18-19c to be warm. Quite often we need to drop it to 17c (and we're in Dunedin). 25c, not only would that be like a sauna in some situations but surely their power bill is off the charts.
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