Split System Heat Pump/Air-Conditioning: Tip Sheet from Chris Noe, President of Venetian Builders, Miami Patio Enclosure and Sunroom Installer
MIAMI, FL (PRWEB) July 26, 2013 -- Homeowners who build an aluminum sunroom addition or enclose and insulate a patio to create a 4 season room need to plan ahead for cooling and heating needs, says Chris Noe, president of Venetian Builders, Inc., Miami.
Venetian designs and installs custom-fabricated sun rooms, patio covers and screen enclosures in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, the Keys, and all surrounding South Florida communities.
“Comfort – shelter and protection from the elements – is really what a homeowner wants his builder to create when space is added,” Noe says. “That takes planning.”
In some cases, Noe says, a whole-house heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system has enough capacity for extending ductwork into the addition.
But often an existing HVAC system isn’t strong enough to handle an extra room, or extension of the ductwork would be too expensive, Noe said. And some customers want to heat or cool their sunroom only part of the time, not full time as a whole-house system would.
“In either case, a split system makes sense, for both comfort and cost,” Noe said. “It requires no ductwork. It eliminates having to pay not only for a lot of materials, but also for considerable labor.”
In a split system, the compressor – and most of the noise – is outdoors. An air-handling unit is mounted indoors and distributes heated or cooled air. Air-handling units are adjusted by a handheld remote control.
The compressor pumps refrigerant that carries heat either into or out of the house, depending on the weather.
Noe offers tips on deciding the following before choosing a split system heat pump:
SEER. This is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit, and the less energy it uses. “Higher efficiency means more savings on your electric bill,” Noe says. “We recommend a unit rated 20 SEER or higher for best efficiency, especially in rooms with significant glass area.”
HSPF. This is the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. Again, the higher the number, the more efficient the unit. “Today’s heat pumps are required to have an HSPF of 7.7,” Noe said. “More efficient units are closer to 10.”
Square foot rating. Manufacturers rate units for the number of square feet they will heat and/or cool. “Make sure you get a system designed for a room as big as yours,” Noe says. “If you have a cathedral or vaulted ceiling, you may want a unit engineered to cool a few more square feet than your room has. If you have a whole lot of glass, with really big windows, again you may want to buy more capacity.”
Air handler location. Units can be wall- or ceiling-mounted or hidden above a ceiling. “You’ll have to decide which appeals to you esthetically, and how mounting type affects cost,” Noe said. Venetian recommends a wall unit, which is typically mounted near the ceiling and is the most economical to install.
Venetian Builders offers written, detailed, free estimates on Florida rooms, patio screens, insulated patio rooms and screened pool enclosures. Its free in-home consultations include a curbside visit by the Venetian mobile showroom, which includes a range of design and materials options, including life-size framing, windows, doors, wall and roof panels, and ceiling and floor coverings.
For more information call 866-596-2427.
Christopher Noe, Venetian Builders Inc., http://VenetianFlorida.com, 866-596-2427, [email protected]
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