Ductless Heating Experience? Recs?

[ghar72]

I just received my bill from Seattle City Light and they have a $1200 rebate for installing a ductless heating/cooling system. Looking at the FAQ on the site, it says they range in cost between $3000-$5000. We have a small house, only 775 sq ft, 2 bds. So I’m guessing we’d be on the lower end of that equation.

I’m wondering if others have experience with this sort of heating system. Do you like it? Issues? Do you mind sharing a ballpark of the cost to install/purchase? Did you notice a big difference in your heating bill? We have very inefficient baseboards and only heat the living room. The bdrms have wall heaters that we don’t feel are very safe with our young kids.

The city gives a huge list of participating contractors. If you’ve gone this route, do you have a recommendation for an installer?

Thanks for any help!

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[Ken]

I had to look up what a “ductless heating/cooling” system was defined as.

http://www.goingductless.com/faq.html

For a small house like you describe, I have trouble thinking that another all electric system is going to be the best option. But I don’t know for sure.

I have zonal hydronic heating (boiler with natural gas) with hot water baseboards. The programmable thermostat is what saves me the most money in the winter, and I can’t justify any cooling other than fans in this climate.

I have wood stoves for power outages and deep cold periods.

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[metrognome]

ghar72 — thanks for the heads up on the rebate; our condo bldg is going through a massive reconstruction and I want to use this chance to install ductless heating/cooling. I’ve been looking at the Mitsubishi Mr. Slim but haven’t gotten further than reading their pretty unintelligible brochures (which seem designed for an HVAC installer.) Bel-Red Heating and Air is one of their ‘approved’ installers.

There was a previous thread on this topic that may have more info:

https://westseattleblog.com/forum/topic/cebtral-air-conditioning

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[ghar72]

Thanks Ken for posting that link explaining the intent of my post! Sometimes I think everyone else can see inside my brain…

And metrognome, I scanned through that thread, but can’t devote the brain power to it right now with my two little ones up. I will read in-depth later today. Thanks for the link! Good luck on your install. Hope you all can get the rebate!

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[metrognome]

ghar72 — I was going to tell you you owed me a beer because the main CL website says the rebate offer applies only if you have electric baseboard heat and I’ve got forced air electric. But, not trusting gubmint info since I used to work for the gubmint, I continued and found this further definition:

“The home’s primary heat source must be electric zone heat, such as baseboards, Cadet or King Wall Heaters or electric hydronic baseboard heaters. Ducted heating systems are not eligible.”

So, it may work out for me after all (and up to 27 other owners in my condo) and I may owe you the beer. Anyone who’s interested should follow ALL the links AND then call City Light before spending a dime. CL has to pre-approve the rebate.

http://www.seattle.gov/light/Conserve/dhp/docs/DuctlessFactSheet.pdf

http://www.seattle.gov/light/Conserve/dhp/

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[ghar72]

Hey Metrognome…I found a great installer. Did you? I’m going with MJA Mechanical. Their bid was close to $2000 less than another for the Mitsubishi Mr Slim. They’re also listed as a Master Installer of ductless systems on the approved contractor list. Not sure where you are in the process, but feel free to email me if you’d like chat about various installers I’ve had give quotes. Super excited! One week and we’ll be done with baseboards!

For anyone else interested, the rebate from City Light expires at the end of the year. You can also qualify for $300 federal tax rebate.

ghar72 at gmail

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