heat pump/ac

pianotuna wrote:
Someone mentioned the Cheap Heat system. Be aware that on the lowest setting it can not be run on a 15 amp circuit. Pay back time is even more astronomical than changing out to a heat pump.

As the one who suggested the CheapHeat system as an alternative, you may be surprised that I'm not going to debate you on the subject because I used to be a naysayer as well - until the RV we bought came from the dealer with a CheapHeat system installed. For me, the convenience of never having to mess with propane refills (we only use propane for rangetop cooking, which is rare with a convection microwave oven available) is the biggest plus, not to mention the financial savings if electricity is included in our campsite rates.

It's sorta like the fireplace - no one seems to want one.....until they've HAD one.

Rusty

Hi,

Payback is more or less impossible. If a unit bites the dust--it may be worth the upgrade. For now, see if you can add a heat strip. That costs about $60.

Another alternative is to pick up a $20 heater from Walmart. Do upgrade the outlet you plan to use it with.

Someone mentioned the Cheap Heat system. Be aware that on the lowest setting it can not be run on a 15 amp circuit. Pay back time is even more astronomical than changing out to a heat pump.

Thanks to all, It look like I am going to keep both a/c's and not change one to a heat pump. Thanks for all the feedback. Your thoughts were extremely helpful.

My 2 cents is from experience. Ours came with the ac/heat pump combo in the LR. It works down to 30 degrees but takes a long time to heat up the room. We have an electric fireplace and a furnace. The furnace warms up the room much faster and the fireplace keeps it warm. If I had to replace the ac/heat pump I would not get the heat pump. I think the heat pump is noisier than the furnace, if we run it at night it sounds like humming and bothers my sleep. I like the other suggestion, get a space heater, works good and much cheaper (or the cheap heat)

We have two heat pumps and they are fantastic, especially with the new fully ducted ceiling systems for supply and return. That makes one of the big advantages of the heat pump being they are quieter than the furnace.

However, pricey option to retrofit for not a lot of actual gain. If it gets too cold (<30 degrees), our heat pumps become dead weight on the roof and the furnace starts anyway.

My Outback was a 50 amp TT, wired for a second AC...I moved the main unit forward and put a heat pump in its place. Where we live, we have to keep the heat on to keep the chill knocked out. There were times we were spending $100+ on propane a month. Once the heat pump was installed, we went nearly 7 months without having to fill any propane... I did the work myself, it was well worth it in the end, especially since the thermostat just needed a temp set, it would cycle the AC or the heat to maintain the temp. If the temp split was >5 degrees coller than requested temperature, it would auto cycle to furnace to catch up, then go back to the heat pump.

Cale

Luke Porter wrote:

wildtoad wrote:

marspec wrote:
I would wait until an A/C bites the dust. Since you have two you must have 50A service so one or two space heaters would do the job.

Not necessarily. You can have two AC units on a 30 amp system. Usually setup to run one or the other off shore power, both while on gen. From what I've read, a unit with a good power management will allow both to run, but have no experience on this one.

No manufacturer would install 2 a/c's on a coach with only 30 amp service.

My 1994 airstream had exactly what I described. Two AC's, 30 amp service, 7500 watt gen. Switch in cabinet for front, rear/both. Current 2000 mh is pre-wired for two, two thermostats. It is quite common. Don't mean to be argumentative, but my statements were based on facts I have experienced.

Another option is the CheapHeat electric strip heat add-on to the furnace. Ours has 2 each 15,000 BTU A/Cs, the CheapHeat system added to the propane furnace, and a fireplace. Although you have the option to switch between gas and electric heat on the CheapHeat system, we've never had to use propane to heat our 5th wheel in temps down around 30 degF - just the CheapHeat system and (if desired) the fireplace will keep everything toasty down to freezing, which is just about where heat pumps will give it up. There's heating capacity to go lower as the furnace (on electric) and fireplace were still cycling at 30 degF.

Rusty

Since your units are only five years old no, If they were 10 to 15 years old then maybe to get the higher efficiency of a newer unit and a heat pump. You would have to use it a lot to justify the $600 cost.

wildtoad wrote:

marspec wrote:
I would wait until an A/C bites the dust. Since you have two you must have 50A service so one or two space heaters would do the job.

Not necessarily. You can have two AC units on a 30 amp system. Usually setup to run one or the other off shore power, both while on gen. From what I've read, a unit with a good power management will allow both to run, but have no experience on this one.

No manufacturer would install 2 a/c's on a coach with only 30 amp service.