Unico system

[SolarPowered]

Re: Unico system

I guess I didn't express well the actual question I have in mind!

What I'd like to know is how a Unico or SpacePak system that is designed and installed with attention to making it quiet compares with a conventional A/C system that is designed and installed with a focus on making it quiet.

[gglaze]

Re: Unico system

Gene
I understand the Unico AC for the first floor, why not also as a split system for the second? OK, maybe I'm not understanding how you will set up the second floor, when you say a ducted system. This would be for both heat and AC?

I'm also not understanding how you will use the Unico with a heat pump? Once again, are you using the Unico ducts for heat generated from a heat pump for the first floor???? Or are you using the unico only for AC? The geo systems appear to have really improved from years past, and although the payback may take awhile, they do handle the bulk heating issues. I would review the geo use with the unico, it can be done, but I would question the air speed? How about a little more system explanation?

Jim,
He proposes traditional duct through the attic for the 2nd floor. The entire system will be run off a 5-ton geothermal loop and I will wind up a with a 2.5- ton unit (two zones) to serve the 2nd floor via a traditional duct system.

The original propsal for the 1st floor was similar with a 2.5-ton unit (linked to the geo-thermal system) with two zones.

The proposal now is to use two Unico systems for the first floor only. We would have one system for the master suite and one for the rest of the first floor instead of zones like the 2nd floor. He also proposes switching the entire geo system to water-to-water technology. I'm a litle unclear as to why the switch, but think it has something to do with taking advantage of the ability to utilize the geo system at different capacities as needed, depending on how many of the three separate units are calling at once. He also mentioned that we would get greater dehumidification from the Unico system.

He proposes installing the registers in the floor and although the Unico web site says floor outlets are OK, it seems to indiacte that ceiling installation is the preferred method.

The bottom line is that he tells me that he had concerns about the finished ceiling height for the basement (to be finished at a later date) and about the comfort level in the home. I think he's a little over concerned about this but realize that the Unico system will likely provide more comfort.

If it matters, we build our homes very tight and perform duct leakage and blower door tests (typically by a HERS rater). We also intend to bring in fresh air but feel that it's difficult to justify an ERV or HRV in our climate so we plan to just pipe in a small amount of fresh air directly into the return side with a damper that will close on excessively cold or humid days.

Thanks for your advice.

Gene

[NCremodler]

Re: Unico system

I had two unico units installed in a large remodel job in NC. It has been nothing but trouble. Hard to determine if it is install or equipment or both. Factory has been involved but not corrected the issues. The units continually break. One unit was factory replaced 2 years ago and now "non site repairable" I would not use it again in a job.

[NCremodler]

Re: Unico system

Used Unico systems in a large home remodel in NC. It has been a disaster from day one. Difficult to tell if it is bad install, poor product or both. Continually breaks down. The chillers were factory replaced 2 years ago and now broken again and non site repairable. I would not use it again.

[James Eggert]

Re: Unico system

And yet all of the ones I used, including my own, have performed both well and without requiring repairs??

I did have a difficult time with my repairman finding a freon leak problem, eventually we(he) tracked it down to a compressor problem. Oh, yeah, the mouse that got into the outside unit and chewed up some wiring that fried a capacitor is not able to chew anything else at all!

In this case by repairs I mean the actual Unico equipment. The outdoor stuff is Frigidaire.

[NCremodler]

Re: Unico system

In greenville SC there have been 16 unichillers put on one job trying to find 4 that will last longer than 6 months. Similar problem in mars hill, nc. My job has seen the same with chillers having a total breakdown and not able to go from heat to air. Same situation outside raleigh, nc. They are not dependable and not recommend. Unico seems to have a problem that has lasted 6 years.

[James Eggert]

Re: Unico system

So you're having issues with the outside heatpumps(chillers?)? In a residential setting I have not had any of those issues, but if there is an equipment problem I also would change to another brand for the outside equipment.

When I did my house in 2000, I did not use Unico outside, only the interior part of the system. Same goes for the other installations I specified it's use.

[NCremodler]

Re: Unico system

The airhandlers are ok. The outside Unico unichillers (reverse cycle chillers) are a huge problem. They have total failure in about 6 months. Led to believe it was my one job ... But I have now found 4 jobs with same story. Unico has known this and been working on this problem 6 years. The units lose refrigerant and can not be site repaired. I would not use another Unico chiller.

[James Eggert]

Re: Unico system

Under those circumstances I wouldn't either! But sometimes depending on climate the high velocity systems run differently than regular air to air systems.

So is the issue repeated anywhere else in your area with other outside equipment? Only a question but as you get into larger chiller type equipment, that is beyond my expertise!