To heat pump, or not to heat pump, that is the ??

[MacDad]

The old girls AC unit is pretty trashed. We removed it and took it to my buddy who does commercial refrigeration to look at it.

There is a bad switch, $50+ and the shroud is trash. $120-220, the fan motor is toasted {probably the cause of the burned n melted switch} , universal motors $125+ or factory replacement $225 and none of that is will tell us if there is a compressor pump issue or any future leaks...time to replace.

So, with the kids living in so cal for now and the OE heater/furnace also seeming to be bad or in need of repairs, and no time to focus on that, what do you folks think of a Gree ac unit with a heat pump feature?

I know they do not work well under 40* F or so but for so cal it might be fine for now until we can address the furnace.

Are the Gree units ok?
Heat pumps are fashionable here in Cali, anyone use the heat pump model roof AC's?

[dznf0g]

I like the HP. Saves on propane and, contrary to what some say, mine puts out hot heat down to 35* or so.

[Belegedhel]

I gave similar consideration to a heat pump when I was replacing my AC. The HP was dramatically more expensive in my case (I could get a great deal on a regular AC). The irony of the situation was that I can only use an AC when plugged into shore power, but the HP will only be an effective heater down to ~40 deg F. At those temperatures, a cheap electric space heater or a heat strip in the AC unit would likely be adequate to take the frost off, if I don't want to use my propane fired heater (but then my trailer is only 21'). I knew I would be setting up a propane heater in my trailer anyway, since I plan to do more boondocking than camping with hook-ups, so it wasn't like the additional cost of the HP could be offset by not having to buy a propane heater. Anyway, I went with a low profile AC unit, and haven't had any regrets.

[idroba]

The low profile Dometic HP on my 2014 works well to about 30 or a bit lower. It is noisy but effective.

[dkottum]

We've had two Airstreams with heat pumps. Unlike a house, the heat pump is located too close to the living/sleeping spaces I think, right overhead. It is loud. We use the electric service to power a portable Dyson Hot heater which is whisper quiet and more even heat.

[MacDad]

Thanks for the heads up on the noise. Something to consider and factor in.

Anyone use a Gree AC unit? Are they good? The price sure is right.

[msmcv51]

When We got our trailer it needed both a new AC and furnace. I replaced both, but got an AC with a heat tape in it instead of a heat pump. The money saved went toward the furnace. The heat tape in the AC unit will hold the trailer at 65 degrees down to about 35 degrees, but it will not warm the trailer up from lower temps and that is where the furnace comes in. We also prefer the furnace at night because it is very quite and does a much better job of keeping the whole trailer warm, especially the toilet seat.

[Belegedhel]

So the Gree is a split unit, typically used in residential applications, right?

I've never heard of them before--you will probably look long and hard to find anyone with experience in installing one in an RV or trailer. The next question is how well one would hold up in a mobile application.

Try doing a search on "split AC system," and you may get some info on what others are trying--its a small crowd.

[bwoodtx]

We have a 13K heat pump in our 31' Excella wide body. Mine is considerable quieter than the newer ones. We also supplement with a ceramic heater in the bedroom and living room. Heat pump does not run as much. I would use the heat pump.

[MacDad]

It is not a split unit or a home/commercial unit converted. It is a straight up RV unit and a really good price.

Now that I have ordered it and got confirmation on my order I will post my source for others who may want to try one.

Gree RVA-150RHP OD 15,000 BTU Roof Top Air Conditioner Heat Pump

Gree RVA-150RHP ID 15,000 BTU A/C Ceiling Assembly For Heat Pump Models

We shall see how it goes...what do you folks think?

[Belegedhel]

You might also want to order a condensate drain kit and try to adapt it to the Gree so that you don't have condensate running down the side of your trailer. They can be found at places like outofdoorsmart.com.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[riggsj1]

anybody try a japanese style ductless heat pump?

[MacDad]

That is what that unit technically is...no?

[MacDad]

BTW...I can not recommend rvupgradestore.com enough. The place is CRAZY fast and reasonable.

As you can see from the link above they are in Ohio. The price was ridiculously good compared to Ebay and any where else I could find and then to sell a large part like a roof air unit with FREE shipping is amazing. The ceiling unit was $20 to ship and they said it was all coming UPS ground...it got here TODAY....I ordered it YESTERDAY !!!!!

I could not have flown to Ohio, stolen a truck and driven it here faster than that. They must have sent it directly from a closer warehouse or something...came fed ex which I prefer over USPS and UPS option...REALLY great service.

[Belegedhel]

Be careful what you post...with the unholy marriage of intuitive commercial software and NSA surveillance, they probably were able to, with statistical precision, predict that you were going to order that particular unit, and it has bee on a truck on its way to you ever since your first post...

Let us know how it works for you. Not familiar with the brand, but the price is about half what its competitors are asking.

[MacDad]

Opened it up, looks nice, but that is no endorsement for how it works.
The only think we do not like is that the cover is yellowish. The color is not a good match for the AS polished look. It makes it look old and faded or like someone blew disgusting cigarette smoke all over it.

We are going to paint it smoke grey I think.

[daveswenson]

I'm with Doug. The heat pump is too loud. If we have electricity we use the Dyson.