Quote:
Originally Posted by fitchdude
"Personally, I would go with a mini-split heat pump as my first choice" - what is a mini-split heat pump?
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I think "
mini-split" is a brand name, it is also called an "
air source heat pump", this is basically a small outdoor compressor which can move heat both directions -- works as AC in the summer, and provides heat in the winter, runs entirely on electricity, but operating cost is very low, lower than NG in most climates. When it's really cold out (think below 0F) you might need supplemental heat, but the modern units should keep up with even a poorly insulated house except on the very coldest days in Kentucky.
Some of the bigger units can use a single compressor to drive a "cartridge" in each of several rooms, with each room having it's own thermostat. No ductwork, just a few small holes (electric wiring and refrigerant lines). Heat pump total installation cost should be just a bit more than the quotes you have for gas heaters, unless of course you still need to install a wall furnace as backup heat for -1F nights when a heat pump might not be able to keep up with the heat loss due to poor insulation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnywhereElse
We went out to the county to see a charming little property with a house of 843 square feet, rather open and with a wall furnace (Cozy) and 2 window air conditioners. ... So, maybe many will step back in time to the older versions as we seem to go backwards because of the economy?
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Actually, a lot of people are moving forward to air source heat pumps, especially for smaller houses. Keep the wall furnace to use when the temperature drops below zero and stays there, get rid of the window AC units.
Quote:
the weather in the central Kentucky these past few years has been pretty brutal as far as the winters go. the reason I'm in this fix is that the gas company went in and red-tagged all my heaters. there were a couple open flame stoves, in kitchen and bath, and a floor furnace, rusted out and leaking fumes.
it's a rental. but the house I grew up in and want to keep it. who knows. might be back.
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Ouch.
I like the small direct vent wall furnaces, minimal holes to cut and local control of temperature.