Split & Reno

Hilly

So I am looking at a new house. And hot water would be a hard retrofit and might not be worth the current investment restrictions. Can one recommend a good setup for a 'Backsplit' or 'Multispilt' style home. I am going there tomorrow for full measurements so I can get started on the Heatloss so that will be done. It's a home I am looking to purchase for myself (wife and family included). The levels are all aprox 550 ft^2 each. L1)Wide open 6' below grade basement - will be a workout are and laundry and maybe half bathroom
L2) front and back entry, half bath, two rooms (office/tv probably uses)
L3) open concept kitchen, dining and living room.
L4) full bath and 3 bedrooms.

In our current home we have lg cool art mirror finish minisplit system and we are comfortable with the look of splits if it's the most practical solution. Or would a hybird system be best, ducted split for bedrooms, wall or ceiling cassette for open living area. Honestly I'm open to the most practical option. Goal being that electrical costs lower a bit from existing baseboard system and added AC for a wife with Hypothyroid so she drips sweat in the summer even in our climate where warm is a day to get excited for. hahaha

In short looking for brand recommendations and distribution setup for this stlye home. There will be enough of a reno to do most anything.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Ductless split, Mitsubishi seems to be the go to brand.

Empire_2

I do like Mitsubishi," City Multi". At last check they allowed something like 1-12K AND 2- 9k ON 1 CONDENSER. I'm sure this has probably been improved, but check it out. Although I am not a fan of mini-split systems I guess the have their place in the world. I would most like to see Hi Velocity equipment by Unico and the like. From a service point of view, I find it increasingly difficult to work on Mini's made for people with uniform 1/2" diameter fingers.............:-) Really.


MPT...

SWEI

What's the heat loss and outdoor design temp?

Fujitsu, Daikin, and Mitsubishi all have (and support) quality options at this point.

Hilly

Not sure of the her loss yet, it's a property in hoping to purchase. Design temp is 6F

SWEI

Every residential multi-split I've sized to date (at our 10-14°F winter design) required a larger outdoor unit than the heat loss would have dictated just to accommodate enough indoor heads to meet the client requirements.

Info from currently available Fujitsu models: 2 heads allowed on an 18k, 3 heads on a 24k, and 4 heads on a 36k. The 48k will handle 4-8 heads, but beware: Once you go over 4 heads, splitter boxes are required -- and those add up quickly.

Hilly

It is mainly for sup heat and air conditioning for my wife. The house is a side split so I'm hoping least invasive options.

Hilly

I know almost nothing about high volecity systems, think they'd make a good option?

SWEI

As long as you don't mind the look of the ductless indoor units, you'll get more bang for your buck that way. Less structure re-work most of the time, too.

vaporvac

Spacepak and its ilk is fairly non-intrusive and practically invisible once installed.

Hilly

honestly in my current home we have the mirror finish from LG and the look is actually quite pleasing for what you get.

Hilly

I'll have to draw up a floor plan and post a picture. Maybe I'll setup a poll as to what will give me the best. Main issue is that I have a budget below 20k for this project. So I had to avoid anything solar or geo but maybe radiants walls could be an option. I'll be back with some details.

Hilly

@vaporvac Are ceiling cassettes okay to install in the attic apace in a cold climate? 5F DD cold.