heat pump running costs and noise

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oxnsox

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Reply # 644138 21-Jun-2012 09:40

Handle9:
timmmay: Why didn't you like the shower dome?

In IMO they are incredibly ugly. If you've spent serious money to install an attractive bathroom with a tiled shower with frameless glass there's no way I'd be putting a big lump of plastic on top of it.

To each his own. I've used them for a number of years, even making one for a rental flat once. The effect was almost instant in reducing moisture in the house (in Auckland) which made the heating more effective, and less costly. Sure the glass sides of the cubicle 'steam-up', but the mositure on them is no different from that on a hard (non see thru) wall or shower curtain.

Current place I'm in has shower domes and general extractor fans in the bathrooms. 10 year old house, single glazing, bathroom windows never/rarely opened, no mould or moisture issues.

rphenix

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Reply # 644145 21-Jun-2012 09:58

My In-laws got one recently. I think shower domes are great, you can turn the water temp down slightly, as the extra steam collected inside the shower makes it feel warmer so more savings to be had ;)

I don't have one yet on our current shower is a custom made, one with a curtain rod instead of solid door. Planning on renovating soon to fix that will definitely get a shower dome at that stage.

jonherries

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Reply # 644184 21-Jun-2012 11:26

oxnsox:
Handle9:
timmmay: Why didn't you like the shower dome?

In IMO they are incredibly ugly. If you've spent serious money to install an attractive bathroom with a tiled shower with frameless glass there's no way I'd be putting a big lump of plastic on top of it.

To each his own. I've used them for a number of years, even making one for a rental flat once. The effect was almost instant in reducing moisture in the house (in Auckland) which made the heating more effective, and less costly. Sure the glass sides of the cubicle 'steam-up', but the mositure on them is no different from that on a hard (non see thru) wall or shower curtain.

Current place I'm in has shower domes and general extractor fans in the bathrooms. 10 year old house, single glazing, bathroom windows never/rarely opened, no mould or moisture issues.

If the new tiled shower comes with a glass wall/door this could go all the way to the ceiling for the same effect, although you will be heating a larger space.

Although I agree they are very, very ugly.

Jon

timmmay

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Reply # 644187 21-Jun-2012 11:29

I don't think using a ceiling as a shower dome's a good idea. It's often painted wood, potentially with skirting, which moisture affects.

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nickb800

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Reply # 644191 21-Jun-2012 11:35

If you tiled the whole way up the wall, or used the usual acrylic panels all the way up the wall, and for the ceiling, sealed with silicone, then you could be on to a winner. Can you tile ceilings, or is the whole gravity thing too big an issue?

But yes, agree wood would (hah) not handle the humidity well - our bathroom, even with an extractor fan over the shower, has had the scotia mouldings come away from the wall, probably due to humidity

timmmay

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Reply # 644194 21-Jun-2012 11:38

I wouldn't think tiling a roof would be a great idea. Putting a glass cover over the shower would work, but it'd get pretty mucky with all that steam. My Dad lives in Wanganui, there's lots of lime in the water there, they wipe down the shower every time they use it.

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Jaxson

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Reply # 644592 22-Jun-2012 10:22

timmmay: I wouldn't think tiling a roof would be a great idea.

Nah, this sounds like a great idea, well right up until the point where it's not a great idea that is...

If you were really keen on this, you could opt for some hardiglaze type product as the ceiling lining at that point.

Actually taking the glass to the ceiling, and having an extract fan above etc doesn't sound like a bad idea really, given the water vapour won't be able to travel around your room/house. Mind you, fans only work where there air extracted is replaced, so the shower might be draughty etc. I'm sure there would be more pros and cons to this type of setup.

jonherries

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Reply # 644617 22-Jun-2012 11:12

Jaxson:
timmmay: I wouldn't think tiling a roof would be a great idea.

Nah, this sounds like a great idea, well right up until the point where it's not a great idea that is...

If you were really keen on this, you could opt for some hardiglaze type product as the ceiling lining at that point.

Actually taking the glass to the ceiling, and having an extract fan above etc doesn't sound like a bad idea really, given the water vapour won't be able to travel around your room/house. Mind you, fans only work where there air extracted is replaced, so the shower might be draughty etc. I'm sure there would be more pros and cons to this type of setup.

+1 on the hardyglaze/waterproof liner, and the extractor fan. This is used often in fancy hotels (like the one I recently stayed in in Abu Dhabi.

Jon

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Reply # 657262 17-Jul-2012 21:32

just to let you know we are with genesis - 2 x 6kw heatpumps on all 24 hours: at night the sleeping area = 22deg for 4 rooms and a corridor, lounge is 16 deg. day time lounge is 24 deg and sleeping area 18-22 deg depending on if anyone there ...

we use the dryer and dishwasher every other day

giant plasma tv

bill consistently $280 a month after prompt payment discount

(we have a third heatpump too but seldom used)

timmmay

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Reply # 657263 17-Jul-2012 21:36

Wow you must have a pretty well insulated house to keep the power bill that low when you keep the house that warm!

Our power bill is around $300. We have our big 10kw heat pump running 5pm - 10pm at 20deg and 10pm-7am 17deg weekdays, then running all weekend at a similar range. The smaller kitchen area heat pump runs at 18 degrees for part of the weekend. Three people who shower, big LCD TV, clothes drier and dishwasher used a lot. Older house that's relatively well insulated, but an old house will never be as warm as a new house.

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Batman

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Reply # 657265 17-Jul-2012 21:40

it's a small old house with alu joinery, top and bottom insulation but the doors and walls leak a llittle ...

timmmay

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Reply # 657287 17-Jul-2012 22:47

You're doing ok then :)

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Regs

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Reply # 657312 17-Jul-2012 23:44

joker97: just to let you know we are with genesis - 2 x 6kw heatpumps on all 24 hours: at night the sleeping area = 22deg for 4 rooms and a corridor, lounge is 16 deg. day time lounge is 24 deg and sleeping area 18-22 deg depending on if anyone there ...

we use the dryer and dishwasher every other day

giant plasma tv

bill consistently $280 a month after prompt payment discount

(we have a third heatpump too but seldom used)

i'm in central auckland (this is important to know, as power and gas costs vary accross the country)

i use dishwasher daily, dryer once a week, plasma running several hours a day (on standby the rest), couple of computers running 24x7, recessed halogen lights throughout the house, 2 adults with 3 showers per day, 2 under 5's with a bath each night, and gas central heating keeping the entire house at a constant 21degC during the winter months.

over the last 12 months, the average monthly electricity was $150. the average winter usage is around $180, and average summer usage around $120.

For gas (heating, cooking, hot water), i'm using around 50kWh per day in winter ($100), and about 15kWh ($28) in summer, plus the monthly fixed cost of around $22.

that means that, all up, i'm paying around:
$300 per month in winter for both gas+electric
$200 per month in summer for both gas+electric

who said gas was expensive?

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