Heck of a Mini Split Deal

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

I think he was asking less about the lowest reasonable operating temperature and at what point efficiency dropped to the point that oil was less expensive.

It is like my car... I can go nearly 120 mph depending on conditions... but I'm pretty sure that is not the most efficient manner to run my car.

I understood that, and I asserted that he will be way ahead of oil if he runs mini splits through the entire winter, and never flips over to oil. There is a mountain of info supporting this, including the link posted above by Doug, and a fair number of forum members who have experienced it. If an oil fan is able to show data that shows that a significant number of days are better for oil and therefore you should have two entire systems, I look forward to seeing it.

[Dad207]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

I understood that, and I asserted that he will be way ahead of oil if he runs mini splits through the entire winter, and never flips over to oil. There is a mountain of info supporting this, including the link posted above by Doug, and a fair number of forum members who have experienced it. If an oil fan is able to show data that shows that a significant number of days are better for oil and therefore you should have two entire systems, I look forward to seeing it.

Yes, that was my question: what is the break pojnt for efficiency? I've now done a minimum of reading (need to do more) but it does look like the minis will be efficient in temps well below 30. Will use oil more for backup, and fire place for joy!

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by Dad207

Yes, that was my question: what is the break pojnt for efficiency? I've now done a minimum of reading (need to do more) but it does look like the minis will be efficient in temps well below 30. Will use oil more for backup, and fire place for joy!

I think they are suggesting that you will not need it as a backup.
That the mini efficiency tends to be so high that even at the lower temperatures that it will be more efficient than the oil.

So the oil would only run should you need hot water from the system... or have to keep the jacketed water at a standby temp.