Fuel Comparison Calculator update?

[CoalisCoolxWarm]

Can you update the Fuel Comparison Calculator to include HSPF2 for Mini Splits?

I don't know the relationship between HSPF2 and Efficiency %, but hopefully someone does and can provide the calculation so Neanderthals like me can just plug in the number. Lol.

I noticed your calculator is linked in some HVAC videos or sites.

WE all know this site it THE STANDARD for heating. Good to know others are FIGURING THAT OUT, too!

[Richard S.]

Funny you mentioned that as I'm working on it as I type this.

• Geothermal removed and will accept COP instead.
• 1/10 of cent available for input for electric.
• Default per 100 million BTU will be adjustable.
• Hide fuel rows.
• Update all the default costs.

I'm also probably going to add secondary calculator so you can input current fuel consumption and use that for per X million BTUS. e.g. if you use 800 gallons of oil that will dictate the per X million BTU's column.

[Richard S.]

I don't know the relationship between HSPF2 and Efficiency %,

I haven't dug into HSPF2 but I'll look at it. COP is simple to explain, if it's COP 3.0 then it's 300% efficient relative to regular electric but the issue is that is at a set temp. I believe they commonly give ratings for 47 and 17 degrees outside temperature, of course the 17 degrees would be much lower COP.

You need to know what the average temperature where you live at and what the unit is rated at for that temperature for accurate assessment regardless of what standard you are using. Briefly reading it HSPF2 attempts to address that so I'll look into it.

[Rob R.]

Funny you mentioned that as I'm working on it as I type this.

• Geothermal removed and will accept COP instead.
• 1/10 of cent available for input for electric.
• Default per 100 million BTU will be adjustable.
• Hide fuel rows.
• Update all the default costs.

I'm also probably going to add secondary calculator so you can input current fuel consumption and use that for per X million BTUS. e.g. if you use 800 gallons of oil that will dictate the per X million BTU's column.

Excellent.

[Richard S.]

The higher the HSPF rating of a unit, the more energy efficient it is. An electrical resistance heater, which is not considered efficient, has an HSPF of 3.41

So they are using the BTU value of 3,412 per kWh for this. <sigh> If it consumes 1 kWh of power and produces 10,236 BTU's of heat the HSPF is 10.23.


I'm not sure why they could not have just stuck with a number that has relation to COP. A unit with COP 3.0 rating is roughly 10.23 HSFP under the same conditions.

If anyone knows different please let me know.

I'll definitely add it, thanks for bringing it up

[CoalisCoolxWarm]

HSPF2 is the latest and greatest, I guess. Lol. With no direct to COP calc, temp dependent as you said.

I cannot find COP for my new mini split, though Mitsubishi has some published numbers.

But I did find this approximation on this page:

https://aircondlounge.com/cop-seer-eer-kw-ton-cee ... ncy-guide/

EER to COP approx.PNG

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I would think it is okay to allow the HSPF2/COP to be a fixed relationship to the cost, caveat user must adjust for differing performance at certain temps.

Colder temps are less efficient in heat pumps.

I like the changes you are doing. I really like the ability to select only certain rows to show and print out. (check box per row?)

Rationale:

1. Of course cost comparison overall
2. Cost comparison at certain temps to determine WHEN to switch over to all coal vs mini split. I suspect shoulder months all mini split, but below 'z' temp supplement, with lower than 'y' all coal.

Always impressed with how you maintain and keep the site relevant by incorporating the 'brain trust' knowledge.

[Richard S.]

I like the changes you are doing. I really like the ability to select only certain rows to show and print out. (check box per row?)

One of the issues is the width, it's not very phone friendly as it is but simply nothing I can do about that. I don't want to make it any wider than is necessary. I think what I'm going to do is have check boxes at top. Check all, uncheck all links etc.