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Gas Furnace went out in September so I thought I'd get bids on a heat pump to replace it. All 3 places said I was going to have to have a backup heating system
by UncleOxidant 3y ago
Gas Furnace went out in September so I thought I'd get bids on a heat pump to replace it. All 3 places said I was going to have to have a backup heating system for when the temps go under 35F (!). I was kind of surprised by this. Apparently this is because it's a forced air furnace replacement (as opposed to a mini-split). Others told me that if I got a minisplit they'd be good down to around 0F. But since I've already got all that ducting for the air why would I get a minisplit?
- toomuchtodo 3y agoMinisplits are more efficient than ducting because of energy loss from coils/burners to conditioned space (where as minisplit cartridges are typically directly in the room to be conditioned). In renos I've done with minisplits, you seal off the ducting and leave it in place (or if convenient and accessible, remove it, depending on objectives).
- UncleOxidant 3y agoI have the impression that going mini splits would be a lot more expensive than just a drop in replacement for the NG furnace because you've got coils&fans in every room and the tubing needed for all of them.
- toomuchtodo 3y agoJust depends on the property, hard to generalize. Running the math both ways is straightforward prior to implementation.
- eugmill 3y agoMy mini split works to -13F but at 85% of its normal efficiency once it drops below zero. A lot of Canada is on heat pumps and definitely deal with below zero
- itsoktocry 3y agoBut very few Canadian homes are heat pump only.