Mini split heat pump in the polar vortex
Jan. 23rd, 2025 06:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Last summer we installed a mini split heat pump in the casita. These Senville units are available on Amazon for a bargain price. They come in many sizes. Some run on 110v but most require 220v. Ours is a 110v unit and cost only $800. The product docs recommend against DIY, but the install is well within the capabilities of a competent home mechanic. Steve installed it without too much trouble.
It was great as an air conditioner, last summer. But it has also been great as a heater. It is quiet and costs less than half as much to run, as our resistance heat. Even in the polar vortex over the last week, it kept pushing warm air into the casita. But it finally reached its limits. When the outside temps dropped below zero, the inside temps dropped into the mid 60s. It wasn’t that it stopped working, it just couldn’t do enough to overcome the heat loss when my dad was staying in there and periodically opening the door.
So we turned on the resistance heat for a few days, but it didn’t run very much.
I am still very impressed. We are talking about getting a second one. With one in the living room and one in the bedroom, it should keep up just fine in the next polar vortex.
These things are so good, and the prices are so low, I would recommend them to anyone who can DIY.
It was great as an air conditioner, last summer. But it has also been great as a heater. It is quiet and costs less than half as much to run, as our resistance heat. Even in the polar vortex over the last week, it kept pushing warm air into the casita. But it finally reached its limits. When the outside temps dropped below zero, the inside temps dropped into the mid 60s. It wasn’t that it stopped working, it just couldn’t do enough to overcome the heat loss when my dad was staying in there and periodically opening the door.
So we turned on the resistance heat for a few days, but it didn’t run very much.
I am still very impressed. We are talking about getting a second one. With one in the living room and one in the bedroom, it should keep up just fine in the next polar vortex.
These things are so good, and the prices are so low, I would recommend them to anyone who can DIY.