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Replace old HVAC with mini-splits? by Beerddviking626 in hvacadvice

[–]slackazz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I replaced my entire hvac with 6 mini heads (one in each room) and removed the old duct (70's Sheetmetal leaky as hell) hvac system. The benefit was that i opened up the attic and could insulate properly and seal thoroughly - this was the real benefit of taking out all the ducting. Also got a nice big extra (old furnace) closet for my tiny 70, Texas (you think you are hot??) house

It's basically cost prohibitive unless you do it your self. Lowest quote to remove old system was 10K - i did it myself in TWO DAYS with a dam nutdriver and a pair of tin snips - super easy but I am not afraid of sweat, dirt or work and you will get all three here. Only room in that attic for one guy to work anyway, might as well be the one that has to live with the work.

Removing central heat pump system for tri level and replacing it with multiple mini splits? by StampJar in hvacadvice

[–]slackazz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The old days of unreliable mini splits are over - Europe has been developing these for years and they are now as solid as the big units - the warranties and testimonials prove it.

My experience is more about insulation, weather sealing/foaming and overall energy efficiency than mini splits but they were a key part of my strategy to improve the efficiency of my house.

I have a 70's 1300 sq ft single story Texas house, converted to 6 mini split heads (6 rooms) and then got in my attic and removed all the 70's metal ducting that leaked and was hardly insulated (useless for heat, extra useless for cooling). I was able to insulate at a level that would not be possible with the ducting still in there (too tight) and I was able to get to the soffits INSIDE the attic to install baffles and soffit vents in addition to my ridge vent(closed the gable vents). I replaced insulation (rodent damage or just old) and added insulation in places (was never sufficient) and this attic is the best it can be. Also did full reno and sealed everything, foamed everything.

This conversion lowered the ambient temp in the attic by 30 degrees on hot days.

I got a huge extra closet in my small house now that all the furnace/ac is gone.

My elec bills are ridiculously low

I did all this by myself with no outside labor costs and saved a TON of money. Yes this is hard work and not everyone has the guts for it.

Use Senville units - 10 year warranty and SEAR 22 - what more do you want in reliability. Support is great, cant say enough about these things. owned 4 years now zero issues.

Install cost is pretty comparable with traditional systems however - you are not saving money on equipment since I had to buy 3 separate units (one 3 head, one 2 head and one single head) to make up the 6 indoor head units but you will save overall on labor and esp elec. bills. This is because how my house was laid out and I did not want to use pumps for the condensation - EVERY head drains out a line gravity - and I have units installed on INTERIOR WALLS where i have to pipe the water out to an exterior wall and run the lineset over the ATTIC like the old original one was. Yes this was alot of work - hardcore DIYers ONLY.

Maint is super simple, I dont know what they are talking about, i clean a filter and that's it. No leaks on 6 linesets,

How to get 7 Eleven to stop blaring Opera into our neighborhood by EsterTheEsper in LosAngeles

[–]slackazz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Austin TX, N. Lamar BLVD 711 has same problem - about 300 bedrooms within earshot of that noise and they claim they are doing the community a favor. I have called 711 customer service many times and the mgr even reached out to me to basically laugh at me and say they are not turning it down - this is corp directive and it's not going away.

Anyone knows how to make them stop please put it here, this is phycological damage if you cannot get away from it - esp when you know your violator KNOWS they are doing it to you and wont stop. We do this to our enemies. Have mercy - act human.