The ice melted off the lake Sunday. For those of you in warmer climes this might seem pretty late. Actually, that’s about a week or two earlier than it used to melt years ago. Some years the ice didn’t leave until the second week of May.
A few really nice days in the 70s really hastened the melting. Now we are back to more seasonal days in the 50s. We are also getting some rain now, which is a good thing. After the snow melts the danger of fire is quite high as everything is dead and brown. The fresh rain will green things up and reduce fire danger.
I am looking forward to enjoying the warm weather. We’ve never had nor needed air conditioning. Occasionally we’d have a couple of uncomfortable days but it was never worth buying an air conditioner for that. Fans, swimming in the lake, and cold beer worked well enough.
However, I’m now thinking of installing a mini-split heat pump. Basically I’m looking for a cheap way to heat during the shoulder seasons. The cooling factor would be a nice bonus. Of course, it would have to be a DIY system. I’m allergic to paying for something I can install myself. I am curious if any of my readers have experience with that sort of thing.
-Sixbears
Easy DIY...but most sellers void the warranty unless done by licensed HVAC guy. Longer line set runs need a couple more oz. of refrigerant.
ReplyDeleteGood to know. Thanks.
DeleteWe just installed a new conventional split system in our house. $6k ! It's working quite nicely and about a hundred bucks less a month to keep the place cool.
ReplyDeleteMini splits , tho very efficient are also a lot of bucks for the bang , when compared to just a conventional old school window unit type.
Thanks Spud. Good to have a number.
DeleteThey are becoming more and more popular. Having worked a couple years with the CTE carpentry kids, the hardest part of the install was the punching of the hole through the outside wall and installing the piping. The electrical stuff was pretty easy. Up here in the Great North Woods they're put a little higher off the ground to avoid snow build up. 80)
ReplyDeleteI do plumbing and electricity all the time. Mounting high makes sense.
Deletecheck out a PTAC. It's what you see in motel rooms.
ReplyDeletePTAC doesn't have very efficient SEER rating. It's no better than a standard window unit. And costs around $900 for unit and sleeve.
ReplyDeleteMini splits, at least the 9k to 12 k but units are 120 volt. Power only needed to the outside condenser. Efficiency SEER available from 15 to 25 and up. Way better than any window unit of 9 to 10 SEER rating.