I have had a lot of issues with my mini-splits. I am a firm believer in the technology, but my Pioneer units have had a lot of issues. I am glad some innovative companies are getting into this industry. I built a passive house that has triple-framed walls. We don't need much heating/cooling, so mini-splits seemed the obvious answer. Hopefully we get them squared away soon as we have been in the home for 1.5 years and have learned that in the Denver area (zone 5b) they don't perform well when it gets into freezing temperatures. I am interested in the technology you have described (the injection) to keep it heating during really cold days.
Launch HN: Electric Air (YC W23) – Heat pump sold directly to homeowners
301–310 of 809 posts
Re: Launch HN: Electric Air (YC W23) – Heat pump sold directly to homeowners
#302[deleted]
Re: Launch HN: Electric Air (YC W23) – Heat pump sold directly to homeowners
#303I installed a Mr. Cool DIY mini split in my home for 2 rooms and so far it’s been great. That initial foray was a bit of an experiment. I’d like to just replace my central air now with a ducted heat pump but I haven’t found a good solution that doesn’t cost a ridiculous amount for a professional to install. I think you have a big problem with selling direct to homeowners. Most HVAC companies will not touch a homeowne…
Your point on HVAC companies not servicing homeowner-purchased systems is worth underlining.
In our case, we need some duct work to fit a 2-ton Mr. Cool system to our existing ducts. Every licensed HVAC contractor/company we've contacted has refused to touch any part of consumer purchased system, citing liability issues (context: Bay Area, CA).
Re: Launch HN: Electric Air (YC W23) – Heat pump sold directly to homeowners
#304[dead]
Re: Launch HN: Electric Air (YC W23) – Heat pump sold directly to homeowners
#305Earlier quoted context omitted.
My hats off to you for doing a DIY install. This is not a bad route to go if you enjoy/feel comfortable doing the work and don't care about air quality, smart thermostat integration, etc. Re contractors, we will have local contractor partners do the install and handle servicing, so you won't be left with an unserviceable system.
Are you able to say more about that? "We will have local contractors" sounds great but in my area I don't think you will be able to find anyone to work with you. The local contractors and supply houses have closed ranks to fend off internet sales. I can't even buy sheet metal from the local supply houses without presenting an HVAC license. These folks are seeing their livelihoods threatened by a looming shift toward…
Agree 100% (I have my EPA cert and do my own installs)
Trying to bust into the HVAC company cartel will be the death of this idea. Most HVAC companies are highly local and have built their business around partnerships with supply houses and the US big-boy manufacturers (e.g. Carrier, Trane, Lennox). The Asian brands (Mitsubishi, Midea, Gree) have taken years to start penetrating the US market, and even then, many have done so through partnerships with the above US brands.
No reputable HVAC company is going to install a 'no name' dotcom branded unit that they won't be able to service with parts from their local supply house. They, and their suppliers, won't be getting the typical kickbacks or be able to mark up the unit costs and they likely won't offer any kind of warranty (at least on labor). To them, this is no different from Joe Homeowner ordering his MrCool/Goodman unit online and expecting them to install and service it for a low hourly fee. It's not worth their time or potential risk when the customer raises a stink a year later when that company reminds them they have zero warranty and parts aren't readily available.
Re: Launch HN: Electric Air (YC W23) – Heat pump sold directly to homeowners
#306I guess I'm wondering what this offers over calling an HVAC company and having them install a heat pump system. The system seems expensive at $14,000 for a 48k BTU 18 SEER system. It looks like I can get that for $4,000. Is the sleek software and design of your units worth the extra $10,000, especially when I'm not really going to see my air handler frequently? I do like that it monitors CO2 and offers humidification…
Same thought as well. I recently self installed an 18k BTU unit. The lines came pre-charged, but I wanted it to be run exactly to length. For someone to come and do just that part (cut, flare and vacuum/charge the lines) cost me just $150. I got the unit (a pioneer) for under $900. The rest of the world has heat pumps figured out, no need for a tesla-ish version charging a premium. Cost will be the biggest factor for adoption for ElectricAir, imo.
If anything, a sweaty startup offering just the install for a nominal fee would do really well here.
Re: Launch HN: Electric Air (YC W23) – Heat pump sold directly to homeowners
#307Earlier quoted context omitted.
Windchill is irrelevant here, it only indicates what the temperature feels like to warm blooded mammals.
windchill as a concept can be applied to all evaporative cooling systems.
Heat pumps are not an evaporative system.
You can't lower the temperature across a gradient lower than the fluid temperature, no matter how fast that fluid is moving. You can cool things down faster, but you can't go lower.
So if it's 10F, a 5F heat pump will work equally well at 0mph wind and 30mph.
Re: Launch HN: Electric Air (YC W23) – Heat pump sold directly to homeowners
#308I'm all for this effort, but this is not yet a compelling story. I've never had a problem getting a heat pump installed in prior homes. So if the market value is avoiding pain in hiring contractors... I simply have not felt that pain. Asking me to pre-order something that already exists when you have no physical prototypes feels like you are jumping the gun. I do hope you succeed - I love heat pumps and want more of…
What regions have you done those heat pump installs in? There's a lot of regional variability. Thanks for the feedback!
My experiences were in the Southwestern USA.
Re: Launch HN: Electric Air (YC W23) – Heat pump sold directly to homeowners
#309> There’s a big push to end fossil fuel use in US homes by electrifying all end-uses
If all end uses are electrified, where does that electricity come from if not fossil fuel in large part?
Re: Launch HN: Electric Air (YC W23) – Heat pump sold directly to homeowners
#310Earlier quoted context omitted.
First -- good luck with this! > Purchasing experience, we'll connect you with a local contractor, arrange financing and help with rebates. Hopefully constructive feedback: I replaced 2 of our residential furnaces within the last few years, in two separate transactions with two different vendors. I can say that this pitch doesn't resonate as an improvement because vendors already make this turnkey. You call a furnace/…
Thanks for the feedback. If you feel comfortable saying, what region are you in? I think where you might start running into friction is if you want a heat pump vs a furnace. There's a lot of variation between local markets in terms of heat pump install competence.
I’m in the southeastern US, USDA Zone 8.