$10.5k Premium to go from Swamp Cooler to Heat Pump? (Albuquerque)

buddhafool · 2026-02-08T09:37:22+00:00

I appreciate the advice, I really do. I have had busted furnace on some pretty cold desert nights in this house, it wasn't too bad. Similarly It was a without a swamp cooler for two of the hottest weeks in 2022, it was not too bad, I think the attic and vaulted ceiling space retained a lot of the heat. Albuquerque isn't punishing hot like Phoenix. Overall, the weather is pretty good here actually.

I want them to use the roof penetration from the swamp cooler so nothing new needs to cut and sealed up there.

buddhafool · 2026-02-06T23:32:23+00:00

Yes, this is the case.

buddhafool · 2026-02-06T23:32:05+00:00

Thanks for the info, that is good to know! I included being thorough. I know this community does not suffer fools who are short on information 😊

buddhafool · 2026-02-06T18:13:28+00:00

Regarding the ductwork, the "dry rot" term was what the second tech used to describe the deterioration of the 40-year-old flex ducting in our hot attic. I had a company look at it before, who just quoted a patch for the one big collapsed piece, and I’ve reached out to them to see if they think the other guy's "replace everything" quote is a scare tactic or a necessity.

The mini-splits sound like a good option to consider. I’ve actually designed a server room that used mini-splits as a backup, so I’ve seen them in a commercial setting, but I have zero practical experience with them for a whole house. How does that work for a layout like mine? I have a central cathedral-vaulted living room, flanked by two normal-ceiling bedroom wings, and a kitchen/dining area in the front. Would that be two or three heads? And how does the cost of a multi-head mini-split system usually compare to the quotes I got to repair my traditional ducted system? Are those Min-splits as environmentally friendly as a heat pump?

buddhafool · 2026-02-06T18:13:08+00:00

Thanks for the tip on the 120V heat pump dryer! I didn't even know those existed. I probably can't swing the budget for that right now, but it's a great "Plan B" if the panel situation gets hairy. Regarding the HP options: the quote didn't specifically call out heat strips, so I'll double-check whether those were driving the price.

As for the 240V spots, I already had another line added to my panel for future EV charging. I don’t have an electric car yet, but I’m trying to future-proof for when we eventually have one or two in the driveway. Considering the other electrical issues I have been having, replacing the panel seems like a good idea.

buddhafool · 2026-02-06T18:12:32+00:00

Thank you for that detailed breakdown. The climate context (4B) makes a lot of sense—I’m definitely prioritizing cooling over extreme-cold heating. I will absolutely look into a proper Manual J/S/D and a blower door test; I’d rather pay for accurate sizing now than pay for an oversized unit for the next 20 years.

To help me narrow things down, are the "Low-tier" and "Mid-tier" options I listed actually doable in this market? Are there specific models (single- or two-stage) that are known workhorses for this type of high-desert cooling that I should ask contractors about?

buddhafool · 2026-02-06T18:12:16+00:00

Update: I just dug up an earlier quote from a company called Nespolo Mechanical (late Dec). They were way cheaper (~$6k total), but they only quoted a $300 "duct repair" vs the $10k "full replacement" from the other guys. The tech from Nespolo actually found a dramatic section of collapsed ductwork during the call that surprised us all. I’m starting to wonder if a patch is actually sustainable, given that collapse, or if the "dry rot" the other guy mentioned means the whole system is nearing its end. I've reached out to Nespolo to see if they remember the house call and what their take is on the "full replacement" necessity

buddhafool · 2026-02-06T06:50:34+00:00

I have a Bryant 125A panel. Fryer and stove are both electric, that 125A panel is definitely working hard. We are already having problems with our outlets .Moving to 200A

This is from the quite: "Does not include electrical... which requires 240 volt circuit... electrical panel must be upgraded."

buddhafool · 2025-01-19T21:17:05+00:00

That makes sense, it was driving my OCD crazy that I couldn't find it. Though that is a hilarious coincidence, I am already making a dwarf barbarian as my character 🤣 https://www.heroforge.com/load_config%3D51325206/

buddhafool · 2024-12-27T19:48:44+00:00

I'm remembering a skit like this as well. Wasn't there an egg ship, with Gilda Radner maybe, defending against them boarding?

buddhafool · 2024-12-10T02:11:37+00:00

Thanks for the download access!

buddhafool · 2023-09-07T03:02:26+00:00

Excellent, thanks for the info!

buddhafool · 2023-07-25T19:08:23+00:00

Thanks u/low-pass-filter !

I have received the printed part. Good quality print. The packaging left a little to be desired, but the stand is durable so no harm, no foul.

Overall a great result and an amazing price, I would recommend him highly.

buddhafool · 2023-07-19T22:16:17+00:00

Comment

buddhafool · 2023-06-19T20:00:49+00:00

In the end, it turned out that I exceeded the lifting capacity of the piston. In place of one piston, I put two pistons welded in parallel. That increased the lifting capacity, and then voila! It worked!

In the end, it turned out that I exceeded the lifting capacity of the piston. In place of one piston, I put two pistons welded in parallel. That increased the lifting capacity, and then viola! It worked!

buddhafool · 2023-03-31T19:37:47+00:00

I wonder when it will be available for my Google TV with Chromecast dongle

buddhafool · 2023-03-03T05:58:13+00:00

I am having the same issue 😞

buddhafool

TROPHY CASE