The most economical way of heating?

tuesday


Joined: 20/04/2009
Posts: 111

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 10:04

Hi



It is our first winter in NC and we wondered what is the most economical way of heating an apartment/villa?



Thanks

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 10:05

We have a calor gas fire for during the day but light the log fire at nights.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 10:06

This subject has been covered before, but I can tell you that a/c is the most cost-effective way of heating, especially if you have inverter driven a/c units.

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 11:00

Can you fit inverter driven units to existing a/c units ? if so I am presuming fitting these would reduce running costs on air/con and warm air .what savings are we talking about ?

What would be the cost for each unit ? Cheers !!

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 11:05

do the old fashion thing, P.T.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 11:18

You cannot convert non-inverter driven a/c units to inverter drive. The running cost difference can be as much as 60% less power used.



Inverter-based air conditioners have their strengths in environments where a partial load is common as they are significantly more efficient than conventional air conditioners in these situations. For most households inverters are the preferred option as part load is the common mode there. The higher initial expense is balanced by lower energy bills. In a typical setting the pay-back time is about two years. (Wiki)

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 11:23

I have calor gas on and its sufficient during the day

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 11:27

Hi Nurseawful and Sheila,



While calor gas may be sufficient, the question was "what is the most economical way of heating an apartment/villa?"

Calor gas and logs are probably up there with the most expensive ways of heating.

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 11:32

So what price are these inverter a/c units ? cheers Vaughan

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 12:15

They cost about twice as much as non-inverter units, i.e.

12000Btu unit costs 800Euros fitted,

18000Btu unit costs 1100Euros fitted.

Big decision to rip out perfectly good non-inverter units and replace them, but I would definately recommend as replacement units when the old one dies. If you have a new property and have a choice go for inverter.

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 12:38

Message 8

That is the most economical way for us as to use the air-con units for heat the electric bills are astronomical.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 12:47

The COP of heat pumps (300%-350% efficient) make them much more efficient than high-efficiency gas-burning furnaces (90-99% efficient), and electric heating (100%).

However, this does not always mean they are less expensive to operate. The 2008 US average price per therm (100,000 BTU) of electricity was $3.33 while the average price per therm of natural gas was $1.33. Using these prices, a heat pump with a COP of 3.5 would cost $0.95 to provide one therm of heat, while a high efficiency gas furnace with 95% efficiency would cost $1.40 to provide one therm of heat. With these average prices, the heat pump costs 32% less to provide the same amount of heat. The savings (if any) will depend on the actual cost of electricity and gas, which can both vary widely. (Wiki)

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 13:29

Thanks Vaughan !!

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 13:32

Anyone interested in high efficiency a/c, give me a ring on 0533 845 8494

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 13:36

Certainly not gas central heating trust me, that is very costly, warm yes but expensive.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 13:37

Go round friends houses every night. Thats very cheap )

tarry67


Joined: 16/05/2008
Posts: 1053

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 13:44

If anyone is sitting inside during the day and night with any form of heating it will be expensive. Put another jumper on during the day and go walking if able. During the night now I just use the gas fire on low to take the chill off. Also get an electric blanket best thing I got here since sliced bread.

adagirl


Joined: 01/06/2009
Posts: 371

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 15:12

I just use a small halogen heater - this warms up the area where I am sitting. I don't use any heating in the bedroom. I have a gas fire but only bring that out for visitors or if there is lengthy power cut. Living on your own has the advantage of not bothering about what you look like!! I wear a wooly hat , socks and dressing gown etc when watching TV, and my main man, (the dog) still adores me!!

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 15:18

Long Johns are doing OK today..olive wood fire soon when the comes. Trouble with Long J's, they are good in the house but you go out somewhere and are hot immediately. Went to post a letter in Kyrenia and I felt like Jogn Wayne, especially as I ended up having a cut throat razor shave.

KARY44



Joined: 30/04/2008
Posts: 326

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 15:19

I use an integral wood burning stove, Light it about 3 throw on Half dozen logs shut the door and thats it for night very slow burning, fire goes out about 7, throws out heat until following morning, just recently had this done, totally amazed at amount of heat.

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 15:36

Tarry how miserable that sounds, jeez what is the point of living if you have to do it like that, no thanks, it sounds dickensian.

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 16:04

I must admit if you have to live like this regarding scrimping on heating it must be most unpleasant, being sensible like wearing warm clothing yes i agree, but would not like to sit freezing not for me !!

robbie c


Joined: 07/07/2008
Posts: 176

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 16:10

Ive got a 100% efficient Burley gas fire(LPG) and find that its realy good and cheap to run British made and more than adequate for my needs Phone Dave on 05338403348 I know he,s only got a few left as he,s nearly sold already.

tuesday


Joined: 20/04/2009
Posts: 111

Message Posted:
07/12/2009 16:29

Thanks for all of your help.

breezyboy


Joined: 14/05/2007
Posts: 1179

Message Posted:
10/12/2009 17:31

Hi Vaughan,

Here is a raelly dumb question. How do I know if I have invertor driven a/c units. I have Bosch a/c units x 5 which blow hot or cold. Otherwise i haven't a clue what they are.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
10/12/2009 17:43

Look at the label on the outdoor units. Amongst the figures you should see cooling duty and heating duty. If they are inverter driven units the duties will be a lower and a higher figure, i.e. 3.5kW to 5kW (for example). If they are non-inverter they will be a single figure i.e. 3.5kW.

I can tell you that unless you paid at least twice as much for your a/c as you would have for non-inverter units, you have not got inverter driven units. I do know that some Bosch a/c units have been sold in TRNC purportedly as being inverter driven when they are not. If you want to contact me on vaughan@sunnycyprus.net I will provide you with more details, which I am not prepared to go into on a public BB.

breezyboy


Joined: 14/05/2007
Posts: 1179

Message Posted:
10/12/2009 18:00

Thanks Vaughan.

I am sure that evergreen will not have put an expensive unit in if there were a cheaper version available. I am not in TRNC for a few months. We got so cold last Christmas but due then to builders partial electrics could only have two major items on at a time. With the a/c and a gas fire it cannot cost too much for a couple of weeks at a time.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
10/12/2009 18:13

As a general rule I would suggest that non-inverter a/c is fine in a holiday house, but if you are going to live here full-time you should seriously consider inverter units.