Awl--
Sorta seems like mini-split is the solution to my shop A/C, given that my shop is surrounded by 18" stone walls (other than the rickety garage door), altho other options seem possible--like bonafide central air! Prices to follow, from the Klimaire company--www.acfactoryoutlet.com.
But first, how does EER compare w/ SEER?? Is there a conversion? Is one routinely higher than the other?
Next, suppose I have three one ton units, at 8, 10, and 12 EER. What is the relative diff. in cost to run them?
Next, I'm interested in other mfr's of mini-splits. Iny idears who makes them?
Data on Klimaire you might find inneresting, basically comparing mini-split w/ central air, and some other variables.
Mini-splits, all with *heat pumps*, all 10 eer:
1 ton, $499 1.5 ton, $659 2 ton, about $800Beats the crap out of prices on PC Richards crappy portable units, w/miserable eer's.
Now, compare central air, where the inside air handler requires ducting, poss. minimal if you don't mind it just blowing out into the shop. :) These units are Fedders, supplied by Klimaire
1.5 ton: 10 seer, no heat pump, $675 12 seer, no hp, 737 12 seer, w/ hp, 969 2 ton: 10 seer, no heat pump, 698 12 seer, no hp, 875 12 seer, w/ hp, 1018 5 ton: 10 seer, no heat pump, 1190 12 seer, no hp, 1347 12 seer, w/ hp, 1600. Also have 3 and 4 ton.The difference between the central air and the mini-split is that you have a larger floor-standing coil/air handler in the central, to which duct attaches, whereas the inside half of the mini looks pretty much like the front of a room A/C. The outside halves are similar. Given the apparent greater economy of the central air, and the greater versatility of the inside coil/air handler, makes central a good choice for all but the most cramped shops. And exposed ducting inside a shop is pretty basic stuff. Could use goddamm garbage bags/duct tape in a pinch. :)
But, I also want the A/C *staged* (like my rpc's!), and am wondering if despite a higher initial cost and no air-handling options besides the grill, a few 1-ton mini-splits isn't a better way to go. In commercial meters, staging will also sposedly lower your demand charge.
Note that all stuff mfr'd after 01/06 must be a *13* seer. So the above stuff is sort of going on close-out, altho 12 seer still seems pretty good. Klimaire says the new 13 seer units will proly be 15% hgher in price.
Curious about heat pumps: These units use "reverse cycle" compressors, I think, which basically runs the thermo cycle (and motor, iiuc) backwards. Note that *any* A/C unit is a heat pump. If you simply took your window unit and reversed it, you would have a heat pump! Sposedly, a reverse cycle compressor spares one the duct work/physically reversing the unit. Is it that simple, or is there more to it?
Also, in principle, one could turn any existing window A/C into a min-split by simply splicing the copper tubing, and re-locating the compressor/coils outside. And you would need another fan for the outside coils, as most room a/c's have one motor for both blowers.
Inyway, dats the state of my current homework. Innerested in other opinions, idears, etc. Would post this to alt.hvac, but those guys are effing weird, and they don't like DIYers--must be the freon.... :)
-- Mr. P.V.'d formerly Droll Troll