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| Thread ID: 69428 | 2006-06-01 02:39:00 | Heat pump comments - $1000 HPumps any good | John W (523) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 459679 | 2006-06-01 02:39:00 | A friend of mine is looking for comments on the cheap as heatpumps being sold through the Warehouse and lately Kmart. These sell for between $500-1000. The output/capacity seems to be the same as the more expensive units, like Dakin, Carrier, Toshiba etc, so what are the drawbacks? Milton get pretty cold in winter, -5 to -10 occasionally, it would need to work in those temps. What does he need to look for in the specifications of the heatpump to give him peace of mind that hes not buying a dud. Thanks. |
John W (523) | ||
| 459680 | 2006-06-01 02:52:00 | There is some good info on earlier threads John about heat pumps. I'd assume that the cheap ones are noisy and not longlived. Unfortunately a heatpump is at it's least efficent when the outside air is really cold. This is because the pump uses refrigerant to capture warmth from the outside and shift it to the inside. Basically a fridge in reverse. Despite that, everyone I know who has a heatpump is really pleased. No power savings but increased comfort which may in part be because it works as a dehumidifyer as well. Dry air is warmer. |
Winston001 (3612) | ||
| 459681 | 2006-06-01 02:54:00 | Hi John. This (www.consumer.org.nz) Consumer report is a starter. Although most of their reports require membership, there are a couple of heat pump items free. You need to check how low the outside temperature can drop before the exchange of outside heat to inside heat ceases to function. I've a vague idea that mine does not like it colder than -2 outside but I would need to get the docs out to confirm that. | Scouse (83) | ||
| 459682 | 2006-06-01 03:01:00 | Check the avaliability of replacement parts. | Rob99 (151) | ||
| 459683 | 2006-06-01 07:33:00 | I would be sceptical,but who knows? | Cicero (40) | ||
| 459684 | 2006-06-01 22:27:00 | The cheap ones are likely to be much less sophisticated than the more expensive ones. eg fixed speed compressor rather than a variable speed one. When the temperature drops below about 6 degrees C (with high humidity) ice can form on the evaporator coil thus stopping heat absorption - the more expensive machines have methods of combatting this eg revesing the flow for a few minutes - these machines will likely not have these features. Most likely they will have noisy fans rather than quieter scroll fans. Also NZ is a bit slack in implementing environmental regulations, in this case limitations on the use of CFCs (which damage the ozone layer) - it has been known that NZ has been a dumping ground for goods that would be unacceptable in other countries, in this case CFC (R-22) refridgerant rather than the more acceptable HFC (R-410a). While I dont know, it is more likely that these cheapos could fall into this category. Generally they will likely have poor backup and servicing available for the inevitable breakdowns that will happen. Ergo stick with mainstream units |
dvm (6543) | ||
| 459685 | 2006-06-01 23:49:00 | I would suggest if someone is looking at 1k jobbies,the dosh may be a prob re buying premium brands. | Cicero (40) | ||
| 459686 | 2006-06-02 00:15:00 | John. As always, we get what we pay for. The quotes I got from reputable firms for different recognised makes fully installed and wired back to the switch board with its own fuse, etc. were within $6 or $8 dollars of each other at about $3200. | Scouse (83) | ||
| 459687 | 2006-06-02 00:19:00 | My 6.5 jobbie cost 2200,but it was through a chum,Panasonic and love it. I use a wood burner too,and generate most of my firewood from woodworking. |
Cicero (40) | ||
| 459688 | 2006-06-02 00:24:00 | Hi C. No one seems to to have acknowledged your big day - so Happy Birthday young man. | Scouse (83) | ||
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