[Greenbuilding] Ductless Heat Pump Performance - November 2011

[Richard Garbary]

Paul:

Thanks for the details. So, when the temperature drops a  degree or two you
only have an incremental (tiny) increase in power consumption. The
implications are huge. If more homes installed these ductless units* with
inverter technology* ( Nova Scotia is ideal with average winter
temperatures of -3 degrees) the utility wouldn't have to do massive
ramp-ups trying to cope with thousands of baseboards simultaneously
demanding 1,500 kw - 4,500kw or oil furnace burners demanding 1.5 - 5 amps
when the temperature drops. Also, many don't factor the electrical input of
burner motors and distribution fans ( many running 24/7 through
non-insulated leaky ducts in crawl spaces, garages and attics) when costing
out their gas and oil central heating systems. The fact that one appliance
is providing heating and air conditioning is very appealing.

Very impressive.

Richard




==========================================================================================================
On Sat, Dec 3, 2011 at 11:12 PM, Paul Eldridge <
paul.eldridge at ns.sympatico.ca> wrote:

> Hi Richard,
>
> I took a quick peek at our power monitors and the upper and lower level
> units are currently drawing 327 and 252-watts respectively, for a grand
> total of 579-watts.  At the moment, the outside temperature is holding
> steady at 1°C and the indoor set temperature is 20°C.
>
> If the house is at its set temperature and one of the heat pumps can no
> longer supply additional heat without overshooting this setting, the
> circulation fan runs at very low speed and power consumption falls to about
> 25-watts.  When a small amount of heat is required, they typically draw in
> the order of 235-watts and if you force one into "turbo mode" it can pull
> upwards of 1,550-watts, for a maximum of fifteen minutes at one time.  A
> couple of weeks ago when temperatures dipped to -6°C and winds were brisk,
> the upper level unit was drawing anywhere from 750 to 900-watts.  Still,
> compared to electric resistance heat, that's less than what would be needed
> to operate a single 4-foot strip.
>
> Bullfrog is great.  I had originally subscribed to Nova Scotia Power's
> "Green Power" plan but it was later withdrawn by the utility (I think I was
> one of only thirty customers in the province to do so).  Shortly
> thereafter, Bullfrog expanded into the Maritimes and I signed up
> immediately.
>
> Regards,
> Paul
>
>  Paul:
>>
>> The running amps for that model are impressive: 2.5 - 11.7 amps. Oil
>> furnace burners alone run between 1.5 - 5 amps! Heat pumps with inverter
>> technology make this a truly compelling and curve flattening solution.
>> .250
>> kwh per unit on a mild winter day is remarkable.
>>
>> Running Amps Cooling: 10.9 (2.5~10.9)
>> Heating: 11.7 (2.5~11.7)
>>
>> Power Input (W)Cooling: 1,090 (250~1,090)
>> Heating: 1,165 (250~1,165)
>>
>> We have a few townhouse owners on our street with ductless systems for air
>> conditioning but I don't think they have heating capabilities. And these
>> townhouses are baseboard electric. I'll have to check into this. Nice to
>> see Bullfrog getting your business and not Reddy Kilowatt!
>>
>> Richard
>>
>
>
>
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