EbS-P
Minister of Fire
My system is now undersized. Original insulation for 1968 added 1000 sq ft and a big glass garage door. What I’m thinking is two 12k btu Mr cool mini splits. One downstairs and one upstairs. The upstairs really isn’t needed right now.
Think how many days a year your current system is inadequate. Me it’s probably averaging 3 days a year. It has to get cold and then not get above freezing during the day. I’m ok running my 10kw auxiliary strips for those three days.
My requirements when I upgrade are going to be different if add the mini split. If I do. It’s going to be two stage 4 ton unit. No mini split it will be a variable output 5 ton unit. Both will have 10kw of electric auxiliary heat.
my duct work is only sized for 4 tons. I maybe could by with 5 but I’d better run the really cheap fiberglass filters as one it hit full output I probably would have to much restriction to puts 1750 cfm let alone 2000!
As cheap as the Mr cool DIY mini splits are it’s likely that two 12k btu units are the most economical option now and possibly longer term if your ductwork isn’t sized for a big single unit. My other thoughts on this route are if you use the mini splits they probably reduce the runtime of your existing unit extending its useful life. As I recall you have the 16 seer Trane. 4 tons? It’s rated at 2.7 cop at 17F (or something close) and has a capacity of 26k btus at that temp. Two mini splits nearly doubles your heat capacity!
Think how many days a year your current system is inadequate. Me it’s probably averaging 3 days a year. It has to get cold and then not get above freezing during the day. I’m ok running my 10kw auxiliary strips for those three days.
My requirements when I upgrade are going to be different if add the mini split. If I do. It’s going to be two stage 4 ton unit. No mini split it will be a variable output 5 ton unit. Both will have 10kw of electric auxiliary heat.
my duct work is only sized for 4 tons. I maybe could by with 5 but I’d better run the really cheap fiberglass filters as one it hit full output I probably would have to much restriction to puts 1750 cfm let alone 2000!
As cheap as the Mr cool DIY mini splits are it’s likely that two 12k btu units are the most economical option now and possibly longer term if your ductwork isn’t sized for a big single unit. My other thoughts on this route are if you use the mini splits they probably reduce the runtime of your existing unit extending its useful life. As I recall you have the 16 seer Trane. 4 tons? It’s rated at 2.7 cop at 17F (or something close) and has a capacity of 26k btus at that temp. Two mini splits nearly doubles your heat capacity!
