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mrsbrownPosted here because then ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
splodgenoodles can ignore my gratuitous and possibly overbearing "advice"
Yes, Splodge, you want a reverse cycle, multi split unit. Look for ones that have the quietest outdoor and indoor units and the most energy rating stars. From my quick look online, that's Daikin or Mitsubishi. I'm inclined to go the Mitsubishi because they use a refrigerant with a lower ozone depleting potential (that means it's slightly better for the environment)
You need about 3.5kw indoor unit in your study and 3kw in your bedroom. I imagine the outdoor unit would be installed in the walkway on the east side of your house, near your bedroom window and the place you would install the indoor units. That's why choosing a quiet outdoor unit is important. The indoor units would also be easiest to install on the outside wall.
If you're going to the effort of putting them in, it would be a minor cost to increase the size of the outdoor unit slightly and install one in the lounge room too. Even if you wanted to wait until you pull down the wall between the lounge and kitchen, you could buy an outdoor unit that will do them all and install the indoor unit later. That way you would have heating through all of your living areas. You don't need to heat the hallway. On the other hand, just a gas heater (ie no cooling) in the kitchen/loungeroom would incur lower operating and greenhouse costs - if you don't have cooling there, you won't use cooling there.
The links below are for brochures from Sustainability Victoria and include advice on choosing heating and cooling systems. I really like the graphs at the end which compare running costs for the different options. The heating one also compares CO2 emissions.
Choosing a reverse cycle air conditioner
Choosing a cooling system
and, because you're talking about using it for heating too, Choosing a heating system
btw, if you want info on having an energy efficient home and appliances, I really like Sustainability Victoria and the greenhouse office's technical manual for home design - they're my first stop when I just want an introduction to some of the issues to consider.
And, for the sake of completeness/ my conscience, also from the Sustainability Victoria website, Melbourne needs cooling as often as Brisbane needs heating - would you install a permanent heater in Brisbane?
splodgenoodles can ignore my gratuitous and possibly overbearing "advice"Yes, Splodge, you want a reverse cycle, multi split unit. Look for ones that have the quietest outdoor and indoor units and the most energy rating stars. From my quick look online, that's Daikin or Mitsubishi. I'm inclined to go the Mitsubishi because they use a refrigerant with a lower ozone depleting potential (that means it's slightly better for the environment)
You need about 3.5kw indoor unit in your study and 3kw in your bedroom. I imagine the outdoor unit would be installed in the walkway on the east side of your house, near your bedroom window and the place you would install the indoor units. That's why choosing a quiet outdoor unit is important. The indoor units would also be easiest to install on the outside wall.
If you're going to the effort of putting them in, it would be a minor cost to increase the size of the outdoor unit slightly and install one in the lounge room too. Even if you wanted to wait until you pull down the wall between the lounge and kitchen, you could buy an outdoor unit that will do them all and install the indoor unit later. That way you would have heating through all of your living areas. You don't need to heat the hallway. On the other hand, just a gas heater (ie no cooling) in the kitchen/loungeroom would incur lower operating and greenhouse costs - if you don't have cooling there, you won't use cooling there.
The links below are for brochures from Sustainability Victoria and include advice on choosing heating and cooling systems. I really like the graphs at the end which compare running costs for the different options. The heating one also compares CO2 emissions.
Choosing a reverse cycle air conditioner
Choosing a cooling system
and, because you're talking about using it for heating too, Choosing a heating system
btw, if you want info on having an energy efficient home and appliances, I really like Sustainability Victoria and the greenhouse office's technical manual for home design - they're my first stop when I just want an introduction to some of the issues to consider.
And, for the sake of completeness/ my conscience, also from the Sustainability Victoria website, Melbourne needs cooling as often as Brisbane needs heating - would you install a permanent heater in Brisbane?
no subject
Date: 2006-01-31 12:00 pm (UTC)Good. You have pretty much confirmed my rough calculations and given me some pointers I wouldn't have been able to work out myself (re-brands) without my CFS brain exploding.
Sustainability Victoria's site is good and it's where I started, but I did want to double check.
You know, I really think your conscious can relax - this is about providing a specialised environment for someone with a serious illness. And we will be putting in the best insulation we can when we can, and designing for cross drafts etc as we go, so in the long run I expect I won't use the aircon very much at all.
Interesting idea about cooling the lounge room - but we have figured things much the same way you have. Also cooling the lounge will take a lot more energy than cooling either the bedroom or front study given it's position.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-31 12:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-31 10:40 pm (UTC)The things you can do when "working from home"
Date: 2006-01-31 11:00 pm (UTC)The "choosing a cooling system" has some references to using ceiling fans instead of installing air conditioning. As a comparison, a ceiling fan costs about 1c per hour to run, vs about 24-50c per hour for an air conditioner. Most people can manage the Melbourne's 100 cooling hours per year with just a ceiling fan.
You see, it's not just the electricity you use for the ac that's the problem. Everyone's getting them and Victoria is running out of electrical capacity. So there's all the energy required to build a new power station that's at stake too. Also, the peak demand tends to be covered by the dirtiest power stations.
OTOH, there's a house in Brunswick that has installed PV cells on it's roof (very clever house). They installed an airconditioner and justified it because they have excess solar power production when they need the AC.
Re: The things you can do when "working from home"
Date: 2006-01-31 11:53 pm (UTC)Re: The things you can do when "working from home"
Date: 2006-02-01 02:39 am (UTC)And I completely agree with the extended issues to consider such as power generation and consumption patterns.
One of these decades, when I can afford to either get a new house built for us, or renovate one, PV cells and solar heating will be high on the list. And a wind mill. And grey water reclamation. And a few other nifty things too. :) Which house in Brunswick are you thinking of? Is there a link?
Re: The things you can do when "working from home"
Date: 2006-02-01 07:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-01 04:52 am (UTC)Which is a shame because I do think it would help us a lot. I think the fact we have ceiling insulation but no wall insulation explains why it's such a bugger cooling this place down at night, and a whole house fan would do that admirably.(As will the grander plans for cross ventilation and insulating the walls!).
Do you know of anyone?
Don't need a local supplier
Date: 2006-02-01 07:27 am (UTC)There is no magic in a "whole house fan" It's just an ordinary fan with the appropriate ducting and louvres so it looks nifty.
If you use the instructions for sizing on this page and showed the right sort of plumber what you want, I'm sure they could size the fan and louvres and make one up for you.
Re: Don't need a local supplier
Date: 2006-02-01 10:41 am (UTC)Of course, now I'm wondering how viable it is given our roof needs so much work...but I'll check when I'm a bit better.
Re: Don't need a local supplier
Date: 2006-02-28 06:42 am (UTC)