AC+Heat unit suggestions?

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Hello BITOGers,
At my apartment, I have a combo unit made by Skymark (Canadian firm, not doing business in the US anymore).
It sits in a closet, about 2.5 times the size of a regular water heater.
The apartment is a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom, about 900sq ft.

I am in the Midwest (cold winters).

What are my options?
 
are you doing a full replacement? maybe a mini split system?

any links to your current system?
 
Is it electric resistance heat ? If so , consider a heat pump .

Are you thinking DIY or hiring a contractor ? Changing out just the indoor unit ? Just the outdoor unit ? Both ?
 
Originally Posted By: WyrTwister
Is it electric resistance heat ? If so , consider a heat pump .

Are you thinking DIY or hiring a contractor ? Changing out just the indoor unit ? Just the outdoor unit ? Both ?

Right now is a gas unit. I heard of one owner who went the electric only path.
These(Symark's Skypak) are combo stacked units, who have been installed in a lot of apartment/condo buildings. Parts availability is sketchy, and they have been deployed in a tiny brick built closet.
They are only that unit inside the closet (my second picture)
The replacement I was quoted (contractor) somewhere between $5k-$7k, including some brick work for a larger "mouth".
For that money I could buy brand new for a pretty big house.... :-(

I'm just curious what my options could be.
 
If you have gas , I would not go with electric resistance heat . If you are in Chicago , I probably would not go with a heat pump , unless gas is extremely high . ( We have gas heat . )

I have installed 2 mini-split heat pumps in our house . I switch to gas heat when the Outside Air Temp drops to about 25F or lower . Love them for cooling .

You can buy them with one outside unit that operates up to 4 indoor units ( ours are single units . )

Depending on cost , you can get them with very high SEER Efficiency ratings . Just depends on how much you wish to pay .

Our mini-splits are VERY QUIET ! :)

You said your condo is 900 sq/ft ?

What is going bad on your existing equipment ? Heat or cool ?
 
I will have to go with gas since I'm already paying for it trough HOA fees.
I cannot use outside units (no space).
It is starting to nickel and dime me:
- 3 years ago: inducer motor
- last year: board + transformer
(insert this years long winter)
- this year : gas valve + igniter.
total spent, roughly $1,400
Cannot DYI repairs since most of the parts are trough just couple supply houses.
 
If you have no outside unit ( not even a fan coil ) , I am at a loss to understand how the A/C works ? The outside unit of a mini-split can be mounted on an exterior wall , although I prefer not to .

I would defiantly go back with gas heat , although a dual fuel heat p[ump might be an option .

Have you tried looking online for parts ? Sounds like the parts you listed are mainly for the gas heat ?
 
re: how it works.
I'll try to get better picture of the unit with front panels off.
this is a unit where ac/heat are on top of each other.
 
Originally Posted By: pandus13
re: how it works.
I'll try to get better picture of the unit with front panels off.
this is a unit where ac/heat are on top of each other.


It still requires an outside unit. Where do you think the heat goes?
 
Originally Posted By: OilFilters
Originally Posted By: pandus13
re: how it works.
I'll try to get better picture of the unit with front panels off.
this is a unit where ac/heat are on top of each other.


It still requires an outside unit. Where do you think the heat goes?

Again,

This is ONE unit, nothing outside, on the roof or anywhere else.
 
Real puzzle !

This is an A/C unit too ? Heat has to go some where . Either outside or maybe attic . Unless it is cooled by tap water & the water goes down the drain ?

I might suggest you do a google search for this equipment and see if you can locate some more information .
 
It is a combo really compact AC and heat unit.
Which is why they sold many to building builders. Then they pulled out of US.
The next picture explains.
Mine is a Right hand, the picture is a left hand.


Hope it helps for explanation.


P.S. I just repaired the unit (gas valve + igniter), so it works now, but if I have problems again, I'm trying to see my other options.
The local replacement option is an unit by Armstrong, which will require brick work also. estimated $6k-$8k including brick work...
I don't have all the specs, so for now no link to product.
 
Originally Posted By: pandus13
Again,

This is ONE unit, nothing outside, on the roof or anywhere else.


If there is no outside unit then there has to be an outdoor air blower with supply and return. I don't see this in your diagram.


This is why you don't buy condos....
 
Originally Posted By: OilFilters
Originally Posted By: pandus13
Again,

This is ONE unit, nothing outside, on the roof or anywhere else.


If there is no outside unit then there has to be an outdoor air blower with supply and return. I don't see this in your diagram.


Wall sleeve in the diagram. It is behind the unit.
 
Good call . That can very well be the case .

Irregardless There must be some method to get rid of the heat when in A/C mode .
 
https://insuite-hvac.business.site/

r-skypak might be able to replace it.

CALL (416) 333-8977
6683209824276330418
 
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