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How to choose an HVAC Contractor Package or Split? How about Mini Split? How to do Sizing? Sizing the ducts? Duct placement? Seal or Replace? Customizing for Climate? Where to place the system? Filtration, how important? Diminishing Returns on Efficiency? Energy Source, gas, elect, propane?
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PACKAGE OR SPLIT
Package Units are Cheaper Less Efficient Easy to keep combustion outside the building envelope Split Systems are More Expensive Customizeable Can be more efficient Easier to do super filtering
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HOW EFFICIENT?
The least expensive (US) unit is 13 SEER cooling and 80% efficiency heating. Available in Package or Split. Package Units get slightly more efficient. Split Systems can get a lot more efficient (for a lot more money) Reason is they can be customized to the project and the climate. Package Units are one size must fit the whole country Houston and Fresno are totally different and use air conditioning for different reasons. (water removal vs cooling)
HOW EFFICIENT?
The homeowner wanting the best with no budget constraints will probably choose a customized split system. As Energy Wise House Flippers who must sell the finished product at a profit, we usually choose the 13 SEER 80% Package Unit. Least expensive. Combustion all outside. Then we put the saved money into the improved envelope and insulation Other benefits are lower maintenance cost and ease of service by any HVAC tech.
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HOW TO DO SIZING
The right answer is with Manual J for sizing the equipment to the heat load of the house. And Manual D for sizing the ducts correctly. The rule of thumb of 500 square feet per ton was approximately right in 1965 when we had single metal windows, no wall insulation, and maybe R11 in the ceiling. Surprisingly builders are still using 500 ft per ton resulting in MASSIVE OVERSIZING
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HOW TO DO SIZING
WrightSoft is a good software for load calcs and duct calcs. It can be done by hand. Manual J & D available at ACCA. Can be reduced to an excel spreadsheet. You dont have to do this. You just need to know the HVAC contractor is doing it. (correctly)
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WHERE TO PLACE IT
Package units go on the roof, centrally located on the back side. They are best mounted on a curb with the air blowing down thru the curb. Split Systems typically have the condenser outside on a slab, but it can be on the roof. The air handler, furnace can be in a closet, in the attic, basement, garage or in a doghouse outside. Concern is the possible CO or fire.
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WHERE TO PLACE IT
We really like to get the possible products of combustion outside the envelope. That makes a package unit on the roof a good idea. Also building a dog house outside the envelope for the furnace accomplishes the same goal. Propane has even more concerns as it is heavier than air. It will build up in a basement or even an attic with potentially bad results.
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The Allowable Combinations make the Fujitsu Mini Split adaptable to most residential applications (even in the US) if you have a creative HVAC Contractor who is willing to go outside the box
This is the combination we will be using on our 1350 sq ft home
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