Mini-split and "central heating system"

[billconner]

Helping my son buy a house in PA. Fixer upper - gut, all new electric and plumbing, etc. Want to do mini-splits with a pellet stove as "back up" but probably will be main heat source.

Insurance company is saying a house has to have a "central heating system" and pellet stove won't do that, and that to use mini splits they all have to be on same thermostat. My house has 4 zones on boiler on 4 thermostats so not making sense.

Just had info and mini splits are fine?

I think this is an insurance company thing, not code, but all new to me.

 

[Roert42]

Sounds like an insurance company thing.

My house has electric baseboard heat, so each room has it's own thermostat.

When the insurance company asked why kind of heat, just said "electric".

 

[Kaizen]

I think they are looking for "heat pump" as the system.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Segue - Mini splits with multiple zones/air handlers are less efficient.

More expensive, but 2 (or more) separate systems with no more than 2 air handlers each would be more efficient and likely cost less to run (shutting down the ones in rooms not used).

 

[jack stand]

Helping my son buy a house in PA. Fixer upper - gut, all new electric and plumbing, etc. Want to do mini-splits with a pellet stove as "back up" but probably will be main heat source.

Insurance company is saying a house has to have a "central heating system" and pellet stove won't do that, and that to use mini splits they all have to be on same thermostat. My house has 4 zones on boiler on 4 thermostats so not making sense.

Just had info and mini splits are fine?

I think this is an insurance company thing, not code, but all new to me.

Find a new insurance company!

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Agree with Kaizen, just try "Heat Pump" in that space and let it fly.

My guess is they are looking for people that are just heating with space heaters/pellet stoves/wood stoves/ventless heaters/etc. and don't have a "for real" solution....which in my view Mini Split heat pumps are.

Seen many times over the years where a house loses the furnace and someone decides they can heat the house with space heaters or what not....not as a temporary solution, but for years. I'm surprised your son can get a loan without a "for real" solution. FHA wouldn't go for it, I'm sure.

 

[billconner]

Cash. And it was more a discussion for the future. Right now there is a boiler and radiators but not working. Figuring 6 months to make it habitable, and at that time this particular insurance agent says it would need a central heating system.

 

[fitter30]

Boiler heat is fantasic. Pellets whats a bag cost with tax, btu's in the bag picking up a pallet or two, loading, cleaning and efficiency of the stove?
Look at "you tube" cleaning a mini split indoor unit.

 

[billconner]

Boiler heat is fantasic. Pellets whats a bag cost with tax, btu's in the bag picking up a pallet or two, loading, cleaning and efficiency of the stove?
Look at "you tube" cleaning a mini split indoor unit.

It's a steam system, and boiler and all piping has to be replaced. Plus family is in the stove business, plus the pellet stoves are nice like a fire place. Your advice might fit a majority but not in this case.