hotel ac/heat unit

[travcojim]

For use in a small cabin has anyone ever used one of the units like they have in motels?  The combo heat and AC units that are usually under the windows?  Or would they not put out enough heat for a small place?

[MountainDon]

Whether or not one would do the job depends on the requirements of the cabin space. Here are a couple of BTU calculators...

http://www.heatershop.com/btu_calculator.htm

http://www.herman-nelson.com/btu_calculator.cfm

Then there's the matter of operating cost vs other methods of heating. Might be nice if you also need cooling at times. I don't have any handy info on those type of units.

[glenn kangiser]

We use one of them in the bedroom in the Valley House -- A big Home Depot one - not a commercial Motel model.

BR is about 14x20 with the walk-in closet,  bathroom and hallway that is attached.  Fair insulated walls and ceiling.  It would do a small house that was well insulated, but I would also want another heat source.

[achildofthesky]

I had one in an added on room in the house I sold a couple years ago. I have no doubt that the unit wasn't an up to date & state of the art thing. It was fairly noisy and seemed to suck power at an alarming rate, thus I seldom used it. I left the room to the custody of my old, deceased buddy, Puddin the bobcat. I have seen a few of the modular sort of units by Hitachi that look good for smaller spaces. When I finally get to build I will investigate those further...

Be safe

Patty

[FrankInWI]

I HATE those units!  I travel for work quite a bit and try to never stay in a hotel with that style.  They just seeem to blow too much, and it's tough to avoid their draft.  I get sick half the time I sleep in a room with them.  Just hate them....   

[MountainDon]

It never occurred to me to critique the type. But yes I'd agree with Frank. Noisy and drafty. I can't remember the last time I stayed in a room with one. Thanks for the reminder.

[glenn kangiser]

Sorry to hear about Puddin, Patty, but nice to hear from you.

[Sassy]

That's sad  about Puddin...

Re the combo heater/air conditioner.  We bought the one in the bedroom about 8 yrs ago.  Does a great job of heating & cooling off the room & I think it is quiet.  Just enough "white" noise to block out the renters in the mobile home out back & all their dogs.  Much better than the old air conditioner Glenn had before - after 2 yrs of being woke up every time that thing kicked on, I said "no more" & we got the one we have now.  I'm a light sleeper & that thing kept me awake all night   

Now, the combo heat pump/air conditioner in the living room is terrible!  Makes lots of noise everytime the heat pump goes on & doesn't heat.  Freezes up if you leave the air conditioner on too long.  I hate it!