Energy and Thermal data for Steve's Workshop - WEL0360

Steve's Workshop : Croton on Hudson, NY USA

We are experimenting with a Mitsubishi Mr. Slim mini-split reversible heat pump system by having it run side by side with a 12,000 BTU GE sleeve type AC unit in the summer, and two 6' electric resistance baseboard heaters in the winter.

The systems are being operated on a 24 hour cycle. For instance, during the summer, the Mitsubishi runs 24 hours straight from midnight to midnight, and then the GE runs for the next 24 hours. We have just begun this analysis, and are now getting the units to maintain as close to 72 degrees as possible. Once we have sufficient data on the energy consumption rates with each system, they will be shut off for the most part. During the colder weeks of the winter, the comparison will be viewed again with the heating elements in operation.

The space in 650 SF over an unconditioned detached garage. The purpose of the data collection is to come up with real consumption rates/costs for running a high efficiency heat pump in comparison to old fashioned resistance heat (and regular AC units in the summer). Assuming that the COP of the heat pump is high enough, we will be taking our numbers to HUD to ask them to revise their ''utility allowance tables'' that they mandate building owners to abide by when the tenants are required to pay for their own heat. Right now, the tables only account for ''resistance'' electric haat, and the numbers are skewed as a result.

If we succeed, I would like to build multi-family affordable housing structures with very tight envelopes, proper ERV ventilating systems, cogeneration systems (to make DHW on site and produce lower cost electricity), and then use the mini-split systems throughout for every tenant's heating and cooling.

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