Bulkhead heatpump advice

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Bulkhead heatpump advice

openmedia

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#288210 14-Jun-2021 11:46

We're looking at a ducted system for 3 upstairs bedrooms, but downstairs in our lounge we need a separate system and ideally something discrete. One thought was a bulkhead style unit due to the way our roofline sits.

Anyone here had experience with bulkead systems from Daikin or Mitsubishi?

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

SomeoneSomewhere

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#2728468 14-Jun-2021 12:48

They're pretty uncommon and thus probably expensive, but the main issue is maintenance access. You probably need a reasonably large hatch to allow access to the electrical compartment and condensate pump, and if anything major fails there's a good chance you'll need to rip out gib underneath it.

timmmay

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#2728481 14-Jun-2021 12:57

My only suggestion is not to underestimate the complexity of ducted systems. One thing we found is if the rooms get varying amounts of sun (eg one room north facing) then some rooms will be too hot and others too cold - we found we could have north facing rooms SUPER hot but south facing rooms too cold even with really good sunshade blinds and curtains closed. Multi-split or a system like Airtouch 4 mitigates the issues. I wouldn't get any multi-room system without individual room control unless all rooms got near identical sun exposure.

Scott3

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#2728489 14-Jun-2021 13:12

A assume you are talking about what the industry calls floor consoles (even though they can be wall mounted).

I neighbor has one, and I have also stayed in accommodation with one. Both seemed to get the job done just fine. The one in the accommodation had a bottom discharge mode, that would blow the hot air horizontally along the floor. I must say I was quite a fan of that compared to our high wall unit at home.

As somebody else said, they cost a little bit more than the equivalent High wall. I think this is due to them being less common. But if your space won't work with a high wall, you don't have a choice. Obviously they occupy floor space too, so may not be ideal for cramped settings.

Be aware if you install them on very near to near the floor, you will need to pay a few hundred dollars to have unit removed & refitted every time you replace the carpet / re-varnish wooden floor etc. May not be a big deal if the floor covering has 10+ years of usefull life remaining.

SomeoneSomewhere

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#2728493 14-Jun-2021 13:19

I assume OP is talking about these: https://www.daikin.com.au/our-product-range/ducted-air-conditioning/bulkhead-system

They're like a ducted unit, but only intended for one inlet and outlet and very short duct lengths.

Floor consoles can also be a good option.

Dingbatt

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#2728507 14-Jun-2021 13:39

Might want to check your thread title. I’m assuming you mean Heatpump?

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Scott3

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#2728523 14-Jun-2021 14:07

SomeoneSomewhere:

I assume OP is talking about these: https://www.daikin.com.au/our-product-range/ducted-air-conditioning/bulkhead-system

They're like a ducted unit, but only intended for one inlet and outlet and very short duct lengths.

Floor consoles can also be a good option.

Cheers. For some reason I was imagining the heat pump be mounted on a bulkhead, rather than integrated into it.

I haven't seen those used in a residential setting, but fan coils in that style are much standard in hotels. Would need quite a bit of construction work to retrofit one of them.

openmedia

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#2728559 14-Jun-2021 15:59

Dingbatt:

Might want to check your thread title. I’m assuming you mean Heatpump?

Thanks.. Brain auto-correct had kicked in

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

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openmedia

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#2728567 14-Jun-2021 16:06

Scott3:

SomeoneSomewhere:

I assume OP is talking about these: https://www.daikin.com.au/our-product-range/ducted-air-conditioning/bulkhead-system

They're like a ducted unit, but only intended for one inlet and outlet and very short duct lengths.

Floor consoles can also be a good option.

Cheers. For some reason I was imagining the heat pump be mounted on a bulkhead, rather than integrated into it.

I haven't seen those used in a residential setting, but fan coils in that style are much standard in hotels. Would need quite a bit of construction work to retrofit one of them.

After looking at a couple of videos it does look a bit hard to retrofit into our lounge.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.