I live in a condo complex of a hundred or so units. Buildings are about 10 units each, all the same. Individual units average around 1200 sq-ft, though some are smaller or larger. 3 stories; ground floor has (individual) garages; units are on second and third floors. They were all built at the same time, about 30 years ago. They all came with the same basic setup for the HVAC: an air handler within the unit, a condenser in the garage, and a weird 'furnace' which is really a hot water loop from the (gas) water heater to the air handler. Apollo Hydroheat brand, which is now out of business. The condenser has a 2'x2' hole to the outside for ventilation.
Needless to say, this system is ancient, breaking down, and increasingly hard to repair. It's inefficient (9.5 EER for the A/C, plus it's effectively a gas furnace). It's also just kinda crappy in general, with a loud blower, and is slow to cool. Some owners have managed to repair their systems, but it's expensive--particularly for something so out of date.
I am trying to research alternatives to just stringing along the current systems and present my findings to the HOA board. What I would like is a fully modern system with a high SEER rating and a heat pump instead of a gas furnace. Oh, and this is the CA Bay Area, so it never gets truly scorching or freezing. Let's say 40 to 100 F. No need for a backup furnace or extreme cooling levels.
Some vague questions:
- The current condensers are a thru-the-wall type, with a 2'x2' vent. From some looking around, it appears that fully outdoor units tend to have higher SEER ratings. Is this true? I may be able to convince the HOA board to allow outdoor condensers, but this remains to be seen. What are the best options for either type?
- Mini-split vs. central air handler. Am I even making the right distinction here? Are there other types? If the current air handler is replaced, the replacement will have to fit into a highly specific space. The new one will have to be smaller or equal in all dimensions. That seems to restrict the options. On the other hand, it seems that mini-split is the new thing. No central handler, just one unit per zone. Pros, cons?
- Related to mini-splits: I see that there is the "cassette" type that mounts above the ceiling. These appear very convenient and unobtrusive. Any downsides?
- Any particular brands I should look for (or watch out for)?
- How about installation? There is a local company that repairs the current units. They seem to be experts in that regard, but should I be looking elsewhere if I want something more modern?
Right now, I'm just gathering information. We have a new HOA board, which is for the moment responsive. What I'm hoping is that, because this is a real problem for everyone, they'll be amenable to me being a guinea pig of sorts, if it means they get an answer for the best way forward. Ultimately, I think we'll want something that can be deployed across many units at once so that we can negotiate a discount, and be more confident that we're getting a good system. Thanks for any help.
Needless to say, this system is ancient, breaking down, and increasingly hard to repair. It's inefficient (9.5 EER for the A/C, plus it's effectively a gas furnace). It's also just kinda crappy in general, with a loud blower, and is slow to cool. Some owners have managed to repair their systems, but it's expensive--particularly for something so out of date.
I am trying to research alternatives to just stringing along the current systems and present my findings to the HOA board. What I would like is a fully modern system with a high SEER rating and a heat pump instead of a gas furnace. Oh, and this is the CA Bay Area, so it never gets truly scorching or freezing. Let's say 40 to 100 F. No need for a backup furnace or extreme cooling levels.
Some vague questions:
- The current condensers are a thru-the-wall type, with a 2'x2' vent. From some looking around, it appears that fully outdoor units tend to have higher SEER ratings. Is this true? I may be able to convince the HOA board to allow outdoor condensers, but this remains to be seen. What are the best options for either type?
- Mini-split vs. central air handler. Am I even making the right distinction here? Are there other types? If the current air handler is replaced, the replacement will have to fit into a highly specific space. The new one will have to be smaller or equal in all dimensions. That seems to restrict the options. On the other hand, it seems that mini-split is the new thing. No central handler, just one unit per zone. Pros, cons?
- Related to mini-splits: I see that there is the "cassette" type that mounts above the ceiling. These appear very convenient and unobtrusive. Any downsides?
- Any particular brands I should look for (or watch out for)?
- How about installation? There is a local company that repairs the current units. They seem to be experts in that regard, but should I be looking elsewhere if I want something more modern?
Right now, I'm just gathering information. We have a new HOA board, which is for the moment responsive. What I'm hoping is that, because this is a real problem for everyone, they'll be amenable to me being a guinea pig of sorts, if it means they get an answer for the best way forward. Ultimately, I think we'll want something that can be deployed across many units at once so that we can negotiate a discount, and be more confident that we're getting a good system. Thanks for any help.
source https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/threads/2240355-Researching-HVAC-options-for-my-condo-complex?goto=newpost
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