HVAC (heating and AC) question

[First Time CCer]

condensation on ducts or condensation from coils inside the unit or from the Freon lines?

Honestly not sure. I see droplets coming down the side. It probably has a hole, I'm not sure what to do about it.

[notyettaken]

Honestly not sure. I see droplets coming down the side. It probably has a hole, I'm not sure what to do about it.

side of what?
pics would help if possible.

[Alexsei]

I'm trying to figure out how powerful of a mini split unit I need.

I have a central 3 ton system for the main floor but I have a dinette with basically 90% Windows on 3 walls and 90% skylight, which means that sun is blazing through, in the summer the temperature in the dinette would be around 10f° higher then the rest of the house, I had pulled through piping and everything for potentially installing a split unit in case it's needed.
Is this a good plan or will I just be competing with the sun and have to give up at the end ?

[notyettaken]

I'm trying to figure out how powerful of a mini split unit I need.

I have a central 3 ton system for the main floor but I have a dinette with basically 90% Windows on 3 walls and 90% skylight, which means that sun is blazing through, in the summer the temperature in the dinette would be around 10f° higher then the rest of the house, I had pulled through piping and everything for potentially installing a split unit in case it's needed.
Is this a good plan or will I just be competing with the sun and have to give up at the end ?

it is doable, you just need to calculate the heat gain from the windows (and maybe up it to compensate for the kitchen if it close enough.) this may also solve your basement problem you mentioned earlier)

[Alexsei]

it is doable, you just need to calculate the heat gain from the windows (and maybe up it to compensate for the kitchen if it close enough.) this may also solve your basement problem you mentioned earlier)

Makes sense.
How do I calculate heat gain?

[Chester7]

This is attached to my furnace. Apparently there is a hole and water is dripping down. What can I do to plug it up?

[Alexsei]

Makes sense.
How do I calculate heat gain?

@notyettaken this is what ChatGPT gave me:

Heat Gain Calculation for Solarium

1. Solar Heat Gain:
- Window Area: 229.7 ft²
- SHGC: 0.35
- Solar Radiation: 300 BTU/hr·ft²
- Solar Heat Gain:
  24,100 BTU/hr

2. Internal Heat Gains:
- Heat Gain from Occupants: 2400 BTU/hr
- Heat Gain from Lighting: 408 BTU/hr
- Total Internal Heat Gains:
  2808 BTU/hr

3. Ventilation Heat Gain:
0 BTU/hr (no direct ventilation)

Total Heat Gain Calculation:
Total Heat Gain:
26,908 BTU/hr

[notyettaken]

@notyettaken this is what ChatGPT gave me:

Heat Gain Calculation for Solarium

1. Solar Heat Gain:
- Window Area: 229.7 ft²
- SHGC: 0.35
- Solar Radiation: 300 BTU/hr·ft²
- Solar Heat Gain:
  24,100 BTU/hr

2. Internal Heat Gains:
- Heat Gain from Occupants: 2400 BTU/hr
- Heat Gain from Lighting: 408 BTU/hr
- Total Internal Heat Gains:
  2808 BTU/hr

3. Ventilation Heat Gain:
0 BTU/hr (no direct ventilation)

Total Heat Gain Calculation:
Total Heat Gain:
26,908 BTU/hr

i don't think the sun is giving 300 btu hr in Montreal so it's probably lower then that, I don't have time to look it up now but 24000 is probably good. Is it open to your kitchen? because that has a large heat load from the ovens and stoves.

[Alexsei]

i don't think the sun is giving 300 btu hr in Montreal so it's probably lower then that, I don't have time to look it up now but 24000 is probably good. Is it open to your kitchen? because that has a large heat load from the ovens and stoves.

.yes it's open to the kitchen

[notyettaken]

.yes it's open to the kitchen

my guess would be between 20k and 30k (your central ac will help out because you are not closing the vents so you don't need to cover the whole load) to counter the sun and cooking loads. Try to get one that has variable output (a common feature in mini splits) which will prevent short cycling.

[Alexsei]

my guess would be between 20k and 30k (your central ac will help out because you are not closing the vents so you don't need to cover the whole load) to counter the sun and cooking loads. Try to get one that has variable output (a common feature in mini splits) which will prevent short cycling.

there are no vents currently from the central, only air flow from the kitchen.

Question is if this unit will have to operate non stop during sunshine, and cost me an arm and a leg?
Second question is, if same unit can help me out during Quebec's frigid cold sukkos
 

[notyettaken]

there are no vents currently from the central, only air flow from the kitchen.

Question is if this unit will have to operate non stop during sunshine, and cost me an arm and a leg?
Second question is, if same unit can help me out during Quebec's frigid cold sukkos

It probably will cost less to run then your central running too much and freezing your basement.

Many units can do heat as well, however they have a minimum outdoor temp to work (around 0F give or take a bit depending on the unit) although for sukkos you should be fine.

[Chester7]

This is attached to my furnace. Apparently there is a hole and water is dripping down. What can I do to plug it up?

Bump

[username]

No experience, but did you try tightening the nut a little?