Have you ever thought about changing the central air conditioner?

[Sigarms]

I think that @Sigarms might have been referring to refrigerant phase, rather than electrical phase.

All the best,

Peter

Peter

When it comes to variable refrigerant flow systems, particularly in heat recovery mode, most applications are in 3 phase electrical.

The primary issue with most ductless systems (AKA mini splits) is you can not heat and cool various zones simultaneously between heating AND cooling. Depending on load variances during seasons and size of structure, this can be a major issue.

 

[garry1p]

I'm not aware of any residential homes wired with 3 phase power. I'm sure they can be but our electrical system is not set up that way and would require different transformers.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

WRONG.

"Mini split" is a term created perhaps in the 90's in the US and it's stuck, because the US it really the only country in the world that uses conventional ductwork to move conditioned air inside the home.

When dealing with a unitary split systems in single phase, you're either looking for a ductless or ducted system, unless the system can do both at the same time (and they are more than available that can do both ducted and ductless).

Throw 3 phase into the mix, can be a whole other ball game although some manufacturers are working their single phase product line into the 3 phase product line finally.

Pretty much what i said. Sorry if i didn't use the most correct technical terms. No need to get upset...
And mini split is the terminology used by Daikin, a world renown company, when using with a wall unit or duct work.

 

[Midniteoyl]

"Mini Split" has become the generic term used for an Air-Source Heat Pump, ducted or ductless. They do in fact make 'Ducted Mini-Splits' and are named that way.

Nobody in their right mind has 3-phase electric ran to their residential property, outside of special use, and even then there are converters that are much, much, cheaper.

 

[ponytug]

"Mini Split" has become the generic term used for an Air-Source Heat Pump, ducted or ductless. They do in fact make 'Ducted Mini-Splits' and are named that way.

Nobody in their right mind has 3-phase electric ran to their residential property, outside of special use, and even then there are converters that are much, much, cheaper.

Hmmm... I'm not sure that I would express it that way, but yes, uncommon in suburban homes. Not uncommon in rural homes on farms in my experience, but that is often three phase delta (3x240V) rather than the more common three phase WYE (3x208V) in commercial installations.

I do see a trend in larger all electric homes with large electrical loads going to three phase to meet the power demands (400A+ systems), but one could argue that those are "commercial"; they certainly are not average homes.

@Sigarms: thanks for correcting me!

All the best,

Peter

 

[Midniteoyl]

Hmmm... I'm not sure that I would express it that way, but yes, uncommon in suburban homes. Not uncommon in rural homes on farms in my experience, but that is often three phase delta (3x240V) rather than the more common three phase WYE (3x208V) in commercial installations.

I do see a trend in larger all electric homes with large electrical loads going to three phase to meet the power demands (400A+ systems), but one could argue that those are "commercial"; they certainly are not average homes.

@Sigarms: thanks for correcting me!

All the best,

Peter

Farms would be 'special use'. Lots of 3-phase ran to the larger farms and fields, sure. They are not usually labeled as 'residential' either.

 

[alexpops]

Basically, I was forced into replacement when my old AC died in central florida in mid-July. Old unit was 5 ton single stage heat pump/new is 5 ton two stage heat pump, which is "supposed" to reduce electricity usage, we'll see. As it was described, the heat pump comes on at lower setting (30% I think), then will increase to 100% after a set time if the thermostat doesn't register a change in temp. Jury is still out on whether that is snake oil/marketing hype or real. We'll see. Seems to keep the house cooler (especially upstairs) than the old unit (even when it was working) and the amp draws are less. Old thermostat was set at 74 & upstairs would get to high 80's, new is set at 74 and upstairs doesn't get above 78. We'll see how it plays out, but for now, I shelved the plans for a min-split to augment upstairs. Downstairs is significantly cooler as well. I was stuck with a Rheem/ Ruud solution as the only option due to space constraints for the air handler.

 

[kenmac]

I can't heat and cool different rooms at the same time with my ducted VRF unit.
My brother installed different out door mini split units so he can heat one room and cool the other if he choses to do so. I don't know why he would want to do this but he did lol

 

[Sigarms]

Hmmm... I'm not sure that I would express it that way, but yes, uncommon in suburban homes. Not uncommon in rural homes on farms in my experience, but that is often three phase delta (3x240V) rather than the more common three phase WYE (3x208V) in commercial installations.

I do see a trend in larger all electric homes with large electrical loads going to three phase to meet the power demands (400A+ systems), but one could argue that those are "commercial"; they certainly are not average homes.

@Sigarms: thanks for correcting me!

All the best,

Peter

My point about 3 phase was my personal opinion was that a variable speed refrigerant flow system with heat recovery could be made in single phase, it would be the wave of the future. HOWEVER, some manufacturers are actually coming out with them, they are price prohibited for the most part for residential single phase use.

Imagine having a indoor ductless head in every room that you could heat and cool at the same time... They do that now for commercial use.

 

[Sigarms]

I can't heat and cool different rooms at the same time with my ducted VRF unit.

But you CAN with a heat recovery system. This allows your "VRF" to heat and cool at the same time. Question becomes if it becomes a 2 or 3 pipe system.

Reality is I really love "ductless mini splits" but the reality is I would never install one with more than a couple of heads in my own house. On the service side, they really do become a PITA with more indoor heads.