Ocean View weather

[terracore]

There are youtube videos about heating with a window air conditioning unit (you turn it around so it blows the cold outside and the hot air inside since it basically performs like a heat pump). I never got into the weeds with the videos but apparently it's the cheapest way to "heat" using a regular 120v receptacle, however it has a VERY narrow temp range that it operates in this manner because the units aren't engineered to work "backwards" and will ice up if it's too cold outside. I'm sure there are models that work much better than others for this alternative use, research required. I'm guessing that getting a unit that lets you control if the unit is in free-flow or recirculation mode is pretty important if you want to "hack" the unit.

It's probably cheaper to heat with a portable indoor propane unit designed for this function.

Here's one that heats a small house: https://www.amazon.com/Dyna-Glo-BF30...language=en_US

Here's one that heats a room:

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-F23...language=en_US

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by terracore

There are youtube videos about heating with a window air conditioning unit (you turn it around so it blows the cold outside and the hot air inside since it basically performs like a heat pump). I never got into the weeds with the videos but apparently it's the cheapest way to "heat" using a regular 120v receptacle, however it has a VERY narrow temp range that it operates in this manner because the units aren't engineered to work "backwards" and will ice up if it's too cold outside.

Given window units are an electricity suck - and loud, I'd recommend the various tower heaters on the market, they aren't expensive - are quiet, have timers, have oscillation, and far safer than the space heaters back in the day which have burned houses down.....

Something like the below with high reviews -

https://www.amazon.com/Lasko-5160-Ce...70_&dpSrc=srch

[terracore]

I don't disagree with you, hacking a heat pump isn't for everybody. But heating using a resistant load isn't efficient as heating using an inductive load. (Space heaters generate heat, heat pumps move heat, it's cheaper to move something than create it). All that being said, heat generated by combustion is cheapest of all, sometimes free (like burning old amazon boxes in a fireplace). But that requires the installation of a fireplace. Propane heaters can be used without a venting mechanism.

[Grassyknoll]

An in-floor radiant system that would go under tile and would work with a solar hot water system might be the most cost-effective long term heating syatem

[tpirsig]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

I don't even know if they sell furnaces in Hawaii. I don't know anyone who has one. Everyone that I know that lives in a cold place uses a fireplace. Hotzcatz, do you know the answer to this?

Actually solar-powered radiant heat is another good way to go. With a propane-powered backup for long grey days.

[glassnumbers]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

We have friends who live near the top of Ocean View and they report nighttime temps in the 40s in the winter. I didn't move to Hawaii to be that cold!

HELL YEAH

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by Blind Cleric

Perhaps another consideration for those looking to live at the top of HOVE is that some of it is in lava hazard zone #1.

I had no idea this was the case until it was recently brought to my attention. So, it could be an issue for insurance if you're inclined to want it.

This is the best map I've found of the rift zone and fissure vents in the HOVE area. Only the NE corner of the subdivision is within zone 1. However, the entire subdivision is down a steep slope from the rift.

https://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3387/sim3387_pamphlet.pdf