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'Mini-Split' systems? ? ? Ray 08-02-2006
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Posted by Ray on August 2, 2006, 7:41 am
I live in an 82-year-old six-unit apartment building, and the heat comes
from a single furnace through steam radiators. Needless to say this creates
a problem of reaching an optimum temperature. Not only are there wide
variations in heat between apartments, but some like it hot, some like it
cold.

It seems to me our best solution would be to establish a very low
temperature level for the main furnace -- like 60 degrees -- and then have
each unit provide their own supplementary heat to bring the it up to the
desired level.

I've been looking at these "mini-split" systems which provide both air
conditioning and heat.

Does that sound like a good solution?

I welcome any experience.



Electric Radiant Heat 468x60
Posted by DT on August 2, 2006, 9:46 am
>
>I live in an 82-year-old six-unit apartment building, and the heat comes
>from a single furnace through steam radiators. Needless to say this creates
>a problem of reaching an optimum temperature. Not only are there wide
>variations in heat between apartments, but some like it hot, some like it
>cold.
>
>It seems to me our best solution would be to establish a very low
>temperature level for the main furnace -- like 60 degrees -- and then have
>each unit provide their own supplementary heat to bring the it up to the
>desired level.
>
>I've been looking at these "mini-split" systems which provide both air
>conditioning and heat.
>
>Does that sound like a good solution?


While I am sure an HVAC expert can offer some advice as to the possibility of
zoning the present steam system, I can at least offer some experience with the
mini split. I just installed a 12,000 btu unit in my home and am quite happy
with it. They install fairly easily as long as they can be mounted on an
exterior wall with a place to mount the outdoor unit nearby. The longest line
set I found offered on the units on eBay was 24', although the units themselves
will operate with a line length up to 50' or so. And bear in mind that most
mini splits have a single indoor unit, so it needs to be placed where the air
flow can reach the whole area.

--
Dennis


Posted by Ray on August 2, 2006, 10:15 am
Thanks Dennis -- That is very helpful.

> says...
>>
>>I live in an 82-year-old six-unit apartment building, and the heat comes
>>from a single furnace through steam radiators. Needless to say this
>>creates
>>a problem of reaching an optimum temperature. Not only are there wide
>>variations in heat between apartments, but some like it hot, some like it
>>cold.
>>
>>It seems to me our best solution would be to establish a very low
>>temperature level for the main furnace -- like 60 degrees -- and then have
>>each unit provide their own supplementary heat to bring the it up to the
>>desired level.
>>
>>I've been looking at these "mini-split" systems which provide both air
>>conditioning and heat.
>>
>>Does that sound like a good solution?
>
>
> While I am sure an HVAC expert can offer some advice as to the possibility
> of
> zoning the present steam system, I can at least offer some experience with
> the
> mini split. I just installed a 12,000 btu unit in my home and am quite
> happy
> with it. They install fairly easily as long as they can be mounted on an
> exterior wall with a place to mount the outdoor unit nearby. The longest
> line
> set I found offered on the units on eBay was 24', although the units
> themselves
> will operate with a line length up to 50' or so. And bear in mind that
> most
> mini splits have a single indoor unit, so it needs to be placed where the
> air
> flow can reach the whole area.
>
> --
> Dennis
>



Posted by on August 2, 2006, 9:49 am

>I live in an 82-year-old six-unit apartment building, and the heat comes
>from a single furnace through steam radiators... this creates a problem of
>reaching an optimum temperature. Not only are there wide variations in heat
>between apartments, but some like it hot, some like it cold.

We solved a problem like that in one of 25 units in a 5 story co-op with
a single thermostat in Brooklyn by adding a Danfoss mechanical thermostat
and a humidistat and a solenoid valve and a needle valve off a T that went
to a 1-pipe steam radiator vent. When the RH dropped, the valve hissed
live steam into the room, scaring the cats.

A lot of the residents wore T-shirts and shorts and left the windows open
all winter. The apartment air was extremely dry. There was no insulation on
3 steam risers in the unit we fixed up, and too many radiators. We took one
out, insulated the risers and added the thermostat after the humidity T, and
now there are only 24 units with the windows open all winter :-)

>It seems to me our best solution would be to establish a very low
>temperature level for the main furnace -- like 60 degrees -- and then have
>each unit provide their own supplementary heat to bring the it up to the
>desired level.
>
>I've been looking at these "mini-split" systems which provide both air
>conditioning and heat.
>
>Does that sound like a good solution?

Yes. That way you get AC too, and you can turn off the split systems to get
energy savings with a setback at night and whenever units are unoccupied.

Nick


Posted by Ray on August 2, 2006, 10:17 am
Thanks -- that's very helpful.

>
>>I live in an 82-year-old six-unit apartment building, and the heat comes
>>from a single furnace through steam radiators... this creates a problem of
>>reaching an optimum temperature. Not only are there wide variations in
>>heat
>>between apartments, but some like it hot, some like it cold.
>
> We solved a problem like that in one of 25 units in a 5 story co-op with
> a single thermostat in Brooklyn by adding a Danfoss mechanical thermostat
> and a humidistat and a solenoid valve and a needle valve off a T that went
> to a 1-pipe steam radiator vent. When the RH dropped, the valve hissed
> live steam into the room, scaring the cats.
>
> A lot of the residents wore T-shirts and shorts and left the windows open
> all winter. The apartment air was extremely dry. There was no insulation
> on
> 3 steam risers in the unit we fixed up, and too many radiators. We took
> one
> out, insulated the risers and added the thermostat after the humidity T,
> and
> now there are only 24 units with the windows open all winter :-)
>
>>It seems to me our best solution would be to establish a very low
>>temperature level for the main furnace -- like 60 degrees -- and then have
>>each unit provide their own supplementary heat to bring the it up to the
>>desired level.
>>
>>I've been looking at these "mini-split" systems which provide both air
>>conditioning and heat.
>>
>>Does that sound like a good solution?
>
> Yes. That way you get AC too, and you can turn off the split systems to
> get
> energy savings with a setback at night and whenever units are unoccupied.
>
> Nick
>



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