Reverse Cycle Airconditioning

[MICKYG]

Just by way of interest two reverse cycle air con units failed to keep the occupants of two private houses warm last night in Glen Innes. They are apparently units which should work down to -14/16 and the pumps/exchanger units which are usually outside blocked up with ice in the radiator core. One of the units operates in a small enclosed area with a bit of protection against the elements. Is this a common problem with air conditioners in other parts of Australia.???? The temperature was not very low here last night 0 or maybe minus two. We do get much colder at times.

The reason for the post was we were considering scrapping the wood fire next winter for a reverse cycle air unit. It would only be used for heating as the summers here are very nice and only ever real hot for maybe two weeks of summer. Regards Mike

[knucklehead]

Generaly air conditioners are still very good for heating at low temperatures they just need to be designed for it.
If it gets very cold the outdoor unit needs to be able to do a defrost cycle. All that means is after a run of cooling the fins will become iced, the air con then reverses its cycle for a short period thus pumping heat in to the fins and defrosting them.
The severity of the ice will depend on the outdoor temp, humidity etc. When you buy an A/C make sure that it is rated for the conditions in your area.

[Ashore]

Spot on Knucklehead Same in principle as a frost free fridge, cept they use a heating coil, but need to de-ice regularly


Go with the reverse cycle one of the most cost efficient forms of heating available.


The trouble with life is there's no background music.

[soundman]

The rating on my wood heater is 25KW when stoked. How many slap on the wall reverse cycle split systems do you need to keep up with that.
Don't get me wrong I'm all for reverse cycle air con, but when it come to getting warm when it's cold there is nothing like burning something.
cheers

[RufflyRustic]

We have a firebox and a RCA. We are going to keep both. When we remember to buy wood, we run the wood fire and use the RCA to circulate the hot air around. The RCA is also great for setting it to auto start for the freezing mornings.

cheers
RufflyRustic

[doug1]

It could be that the A/C is short on gas.
I had ours regassed many years ago and this is what it needed. It might be worth cosidering getting it checked out

Doug

[Ashore]

AS knucklehead said reverse cycle a/c units need de-icing when outside temp drops below 5 deg C

A shortage of gas would mean that you are trying to obtain less heat from the outside air and room would not heat up as much and less chance of ice blocking the grills outside.


The trouble with life is there's no background music.