Home Owner Question: Mini Split

[west_seth]

I've talked with my HVAC guy on the phone today and asked him some questions some of you posed to me. Need your opinion.

Room: SunRoom
Goal: Enjoy year round
Location: Burbs in Atlanta
Estimated tonnage: 1 ton required by HVAC guy (I agree)
Brand he suggests: Fedders (which I am okay with)

Asked him if the mini-split has a backup heat source and he said no. But he said the heat pump is good to any temperature even 0 degrees. Also, said he has never had a complaint in the winter, and the room is small and it should be fine.

Now, if I spent the kind of bucks on this and it does not do a great job...my wife will kick me in the you know what.

Does all of this make sense?

Thanks-

[cde72]

What is your average winter temps and what is the coldest temp of the year???

[west_seth]

November: Average Low 42ºF
December: Average Low 35ºF
January : Average Low 33ºF
February: Average Low 36ºF
March : Average Low 42ºF

However: The coldest I ever saw it was 0 degrees in the 60's (unusual) and sometimes it will get into the teens for a week or 10 days in Dec. or Jan.

Atlanta's temperature is mild compared to most other colder US cities.

[BaldLoonie]

Heat output at 32 will be minimal. If you want to use this room in cool weather, you will need baseboard electric or some other method of backup as the heat pump cuts out.

I usually suggest a PTHP, like the GE 5500, as it can have up to 5kw backup. http://www.zoneline.com

[west_seth]

So, If were to tell the HVAC guy to install the PTAC Ge 5500 series w/heat strip:

Don't laugh:

But who cuts the hole in the house for the unit? Would he do this or do I hire a carpenter? Also the room is finished.
And the outside is vinyl siding.


Thanks cause I really don't know the answer.

[heatair]

Design for Atlanta is 23 degrees.

we had a time a few weeks ago that it didn't get above freezing for about 30 hours.

One ton with an electric BB should be okay.

What direction does the longest side of the sunroom face?

[BaldLoonie]

We have an installer who can trim in a PTHP or we sub it out to a remodeling contractor. Since we get COLD, this is the way we go, no minis.

[johnsp]

Mitsubishi makes a mini with strip heat. Sanyo used to make a unit with a nat gas/LP ribbon burner in the outside condenser unit to keep the heat pump working below freezing.

[cde72]

Really, an outdoor coil heater??? I'd like to see that... Really, a mini-split would be okay with baseboard as a back-up heat source...