heat pump/ac

[rthibodaux]

I got 2 a/c's units and just wandering if it would be beneficial to change one a/c out and have one with an heater and a/c together. I know it use less propane but is the cost justified.
Thanks
Randy

[Mile_High]

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.

[calewjohnson]

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

[wildtoad]

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.

[RustyJC]

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

[Ivylog]

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.

[Luke_Porter]

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.

[Luke_Porter]

I think it would take a really long time to recover the $1000 cost of a heat pump, especially in your area.

[wildtoad]

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.

[marspec]

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.