All Forum Posts by: Jonathan Andersen

In that case the high velocity system is off the table because it is so costly. Ductless heat pumps are AWESOME! They are mega efficient and easy to install, but zoning them is costly. If it is an open floor plan that is an option, but zoning multiple indoor units get expensive. If central cooling is a requirement and not a unnoticed luxury in that market they are still a good option. If not they are pricey. The outdoor condensing unit alone one a multi zone ductless system is often the same or more that a furnace, AC coil ,and Outdoor condensing unit combined. What you gain in efficiency with the ductless system does not benefit you if the tenant is paying utilities. 

*If you are concerned about heat only the cheapest option by far is installing three gas furnaces. You will not pay utilities like you would with a central system, and the equipment cost is low. 

Adding electric baseboard is very cheap as well but upgrading electric service to support the added electric load will cost more then the furnaces combined. 

The cost of 3 80%AFUE  40,000 BTU gas furnaces is about $1500 plus labor and misc. parts (which are cheap because not much is needed for gas furnaces). 

If you add cooling you will likely need electrical service upgrading because you will be adding at least a 90 Amp load for outdoor units alone to a 200 amp breaker (maybe) panel. Say you have a 200 amp panel and are currently using 160 amps of that service, You would have to upgrade to 400 amp service to avoid popping breakers constantly and or burning the place down. So, the electrical upgrade would be an added cost. 

I know that is a lot to take in, but I am a certified Service Technician that worked on commercial heating, cooling, and refrigeration for a decade. I do not do it anymore, but I still have 10 years worth of extensive knowledge on the subject floating around in my head that I love to share so it is not useless haha!

Feel free to contact me with any specific questions.

I have a few questions.

Are utilities metered separate to units? Gas and Electric?

The best option changes depending if you are paying utilities in the triplex or not.

There are talkers and doers. You didn't talk about it, you did it? Great job!

Congratulations! Everything looks awesome!

I work at Temple University regularly. I can say first hand that properties around the university and the hospital are only blocks apart, but might as well be worlds apart. I would never leave my car parked around the hospital, but I park on the main campus all of the time and feel totally safe in that area.

Welcome aboard Jeff!

Does history record any case in which the majority was right? —Robert Heinlein

Boom!

(Awesome quote in on the first page of a Tim Ferriss book 4HB)

 I know exactly what you are talking about. The best way to stop / deter the most avid tamperers would be to install a Honeywell thermostat that allows you to add a remote sensor. When I used to do commercial AC we would put the sensors in the return duct instead of on a wall sometimes for a true space temp. I know the Honeywell 8000 supports it. There is a wifi version as well (8000WF).

I copied and pasted my previous response from your other post Robert in case this can help anyone else. 

V

Gas heat = About $8.50 per 1,000,000 BTUs of Heat

Electric Resistance heat = About $31.00 per 1,000,000 BTUs of heat

Heat Pumps are a great option when gas is not available, but in philly gas is available.

Heat pumps = About $9.50 per 1,000,000 BTUs, but the catch is it will only heat down to about 30 degrees outside then you need a electric furnace or gas furnace as a backup/ auxiliary heat. Heat pumps also act as central air in the summer months.

The Mitsubishi H2i ductless mini split heat pumps heat down to -15 and no backup source of heat is needed and is more efficient then even a high efficiency gas furnace, which is ridiculous.... but they are very expensive.

IMHO,

Gas heat is the cheapest when balancing up front installation cost and long term utility cost

We are talking a $22.50 difference between gas or electric per 1,000,000 BTUs burned. Over time that is a huge savings or added expense.

Free Department of Energy Comparison Chart

Punch in your local rates for the numbers to be dead on.

http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/heatcalc.xls

*I have been using the Emerson Sensi Wifi Stat because it is only $120 and you can lock it so it can only be controlled by YOUR smartphone. The tenant can push buttons all day and it will do nothing if you choose to disable the keypad.

https://sensicomfort.com/

I hope that helped :)