Small diameter air systems

Steve_43

Just looking for thoughts on what the prefered hi-pressure air system is out there. What is everyones opinion on: Unico, Energy Saving Prod.(Hi-V), and spacepak?

Big Ed

Hi Pressure

If you can not install a low pressure system the hi pressure systems are a God sent....But it will cost you.

Ted_5

Don't forget AirLink by Heatlink!

Pressurized duct system with a twist. Check it out!

Ted

Tombig_2

Mini Duct

I have had much success with Unico. Whichever...DO YOUR HOMEWORK. This is not your father's AC system!

Robert O'Connor_7

HI-Velocity Air?

Go way over the distance needed on the return. By using more return ducting cuts down on the noise these systems inherently produce.

heatboy

Ted, does Heatlink.....

offer design software for both radiant and high velocity in the same program?

hb

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Nron_9

Hi V systems

We have had good success with Unico. Take the training if they have one. If you don't, they make you look dumb. As to design software, some reccomend Writesoft. Just looking at it now, kinda pricy. Any one used it yet?

Steve/ Slakey Brothers Inc.

Unico,Energy Saving Products

Our company has sold both systems to contractors for the last 6 years with great success on both systems. I was out with a contractor last week were we supplied 2 systems. 1 up stairs and 1 down stairs. with the systems running and the house up to temp (68deg) we checked the temp in every room of the house and found no temp differance over 2deg any place in the house. Try that with a conventional system.

John Mills_3

Remember

these things reduce capacity and SEER. Unico & Space Pak are ARI rated with many outdoor unit so study them carefully. You often end up 1/2 to even 1 ton under what the outdoor unit normally does and can run 2 SEER points below. So those guys putting 10 SEER outdoor units on Unico are really selling 8 SEER though around here anyway, customers aren't informed of that. Most 12 SEER outdoor units ARI rate at 10 SEER. Last I knew, those were the only 2 ARI rated. Not sure how you'd know your end result with the other companies.

Tombig_2

Loss of SEER?

> these things reduce capacity and SEER. Unico &

> Space Pak are ARI rated with many outdoor unit so

> study them carefully. You often end up 1/2 to

> even 1 ton under what the outdoor unit normally

> does and can run 2 SEER points below. So those

> guys putting 10 SEER outdoor units on Unico are

> really selling 8 SEER though around here anyway,

> customers aren't informed of that. Most 12 SEER

> outdoor units ARI rate at 10 SEER. Last I knew,

> those were the only 2 ARI rated. Not sure how

> you'd know your end result with the other

> companies.

Tombig_2

Loss of SEER?


John, is this coil/condenser SEER data available? I would like to see it. I realize that manufacturers use orifice expansion devices and precise airflow to achieve SEER. Unico and others use expansion valve coils which operate at lower temps which in turn increases dehumidification. That allows you to set your stat a couple degrees higher for cooling and still be comfortable. Sound familiar, Wallies? Does your rating consider system efficiency as well as equipment efficiency? In my opinion, it's the delivery system that makes the job, not the equipment. Have you ever installed a 12 Seer unit in a house that was ducted for heat only? What a waste of initial cost and efficiency.

We're hydronic guys here and mini duct AC systems are a natural progression of our trade. This is the first I've heard of reduced SEER. I really think they perform well for AC only. Just My Honest Opinion

David_5

Loss of SEER

The reason for the lower SEER is because the air is colder. Colder air means colder evaporator coil. That means lower suction pressure and a higher compression ratio for the compressor. If you ask Unico they say you loose 2 SEER. However the fiberglass ductwork is much less leaky than metal ductwork. The SEER does not tell the whole story. I have a Unico system in my house for heat and A/C. I would and do recommend it. I am looking into Spacepak because they offer 100' rolls of duct and Unico only has 25'.

David

Reynz_2

Unico

Great information on the system. I have a couple of contractors coming to give me an estimate. Anything to look for to determine if they really know what they are talking about, and are truly familiar with the system?

It would be hard for me to know if they really know what they are doing or not. Any information you can provide would be great.

Two comments by contractors on phone calls, costs are about $3500 to $3800 per ton, and if a H/L type calculation for cooling determines, for example 3.5 tons, they round up to 4, because a Unico system can handle a larger size better than a convention system. The conventional wisdom, is that over sizing is bad for conventional systems, but the Unico system can handle it. From what they said anyway.

Seer???? Hum, will a 15 SEER rating actually give me a 15 SEER performance? What size do I really need for good to great efficiency. I’m very interested in efficiency and low operating cost. Thanks, Reynz

Ted_9

Energy Saving Products

I have install all 3 and I like the ESP Hi-V.

BTW John Mills , I beleive the ARI charts for the HI-V shows an increase in SEER, at least for the Lennox units.

Also to note, the Air Flo 10 SEER condenser may have gone down in SEER by half a SEER.