Not a bad idea.
EG4 24K mini split
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Bob in Tucson
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I've read the warranty statements for a handful of major manufacturers and all of those require a licensed HVAC person to do the installation to qualify for a warranty.
With good equipment, my hope is the warranty isn't worth that much.
Plum Crazy Rob
Solar Enthusiast
90% of parts should be industry std like electronic expansion valve, fan motors, compressor, and the like (?)
Main PCB, Solar MPPT, and displays should be unique?? Should (key word) be able to run down thru Mfr / Distributors. I would prefer reliable as stated though.
How many parts have you got for a TV lately?? They are mostly reliable and (unfortunately?) go in the trash by the time something fails.
Main PCB, Solar MPPT, and displays should be unique?? Should (key word) be able to run down thru Mfr / Distributors. I would prefer reliable as stated though.
How many parts have you got for a TV lately?? They are mostly reliable and (unfortunately?) go in the trash by the time something fails.
MrM1
I'm Here, But I'm Not All There
Yes, but is Eg4/Deye "good equipment" ?
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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Deye is.
If EG4 didn't touch it much, it should be fine.
MrM1
I'm Here, But I'm Not All There
OH Ouch ?
timselectric
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Wasn't meant as a derogatory statement.
But if you take something that works fine. And change it much. You are back in the realm of beta testing.
MrM1
I'm Here, But I'm Not All There
CPOKim
New Member
Doesn't the mini split heat pump needs to be certified? Either Energy-star or AHRI Certification Program while meeting the 3 criteria?
Plum Crazy Rob
Solar Enthusiast
You're correct that it is NOT Energy Star or AHRI certified so doesn't qualify as a heat pump - however since you can hook solar panels directly to it and run it I took the 30% Federal Solar credit as PV equipment??
No Energy Star sucks further as not qualifying for my local utility heat pump rebates.
The Hotspot units have both certs, although Hotspot even points out the test gives them no consideration for the Solar aspects as a higher efficiency.
No Energy Star sucks further as not qualifying for my local utility heat pump rebates.
The Hotspot units have both certs, although Hotspot even points out the test gives them no consideration for the Solar aspects as a higher efficiency.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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You're not claiming the Energy star credit.
You're claiming the solar system credit.
CPOKim
New Member
You're right, I was looking at the "residential clean energy credit" and not the solar system credit.
Hotspot 12k mini split retail $1895
EG4 12k mini split (free pre-charge line set upgrade, similar to Mr. Cool 4th Gen DIY) retail $1299
EG4 is a no brainer since my local utility doesn't even have a heat pump rebate, only $15 for a window/wall AC.
Plus its nearly 31.5% cheaper and offered a longer limited warranty*.
Hotspot 12k mini split retail $1895
EG4 12k mini split (free pre-charge line set upgrade, similar to Mr. Cool 4th Gen DIY) retail $1299
EG4 is a no brainer since my local utility doesn't even have a heat pump rebate, only $15 for a window/wall AC.
Plus its nearly 31.5% cheaper and offered a longer limited warranty*.
Zwy
Emperor Of Solar
I think there is a fine line according to the IRS. One could claim the 30% for the array but as for the heat pump/mini split, it falls under the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit
Electric or natural gas heat pumps, electric or natural gas heat pump water heaters, central air conditioners,natural gas or propane or oil water heaters, natural gas or propane or oil furnaces or hot water boilers: must meet or exceed the highest efficiency tier (not including any advanced tier) established by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) that is in effect as of the beginning of the year in which the property is placed in service.See also the CEE Directory of Efficient Equipment for a searchable database of qualifying equipment.
A person could probably claim the expense under the solar system credit but if audited it might not be allowed. I'd certainly consult a tax specialist that might be able to shed light on the subject.
EastTexCowboy
Solar Wizard
It really only matters if you're audited, and even then you have a legitimate argument. I'm usually inclined to take a deduction if it's not obvious whether it's allowed then be prepared to fight them if audited. And the best way to not get audited is to not have any red flags on your return. They're pretty accustomed to solar tax credits so unless it's something weird I doubt it would trigger an audit. BTW, I've been audited twice and won both times which gives me a little insight into how that stuff works. The last one was an "Obama audit" according to my CPA and was a full top to bottom audit, every deduction, every invoice, all bank statements, the works.
My AC units installed this year qualify, so it's a mute point for me, but I'd probably take the deduction even if I wasn't 100% certain.
Plum Crazy Rob
Solar Enthusiast
This. I certainly would be unable to find a tax accountant near me in KS who would even have a remote clue.
(The county Elec Code dept said "install a WHAT??!!" ), so then I was done with them.
Accountants if in doubt you know would say NO. Bring it IRS. Highly defensible as solar equipment.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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Plum Crazy Rob
Solar Enthusiast
Heat pump argument is still indecisive, as then Geothermal Heat Pump is lumped in Residential Clean Energy with the Solar stuff.
I can assure you, having operated Geo for 20 yrs, it's most certainly an Electric Heat Pump and uses lots of it !!
????
Edit: the official answer here has to be "consult your tax professional "
I can assure you, having operated Geo for 20 yrs, it's most certainly an Electric Heat Pump and uses lots of it !!
????
Edit: the official answer here has to be "consult your tax professional "
Last edited:
Joe Gleason
New Member
I installed the EG4 24000Btu unit a couple of days ago. Powered by the grid first to make sure everything was good. Works great, cools my roughly 1,000sf main living area (open concept - living room, dining room, kitchen). This system is my first foray into solar. I installed seven Canadian Solar 385W panels and just finished powering on the solar a couple of hours ago. Really nice to see the green bar indicating solar usage in the app! I left the AcInput on with the ac limiter set. It appears to draw 40W constantly from the grid, even when the PvInput is more than enough. Guess that is normal? I'd like to leave the AcInput powered on so I can run the unit when there is no solar.
I'm in New Hampshire so this unit will likely only be used during the day and early evening to keep the house comfortable. I have radiant floor heating (hydronic) for the winter months but will see how the heating side of the minisplit works in the cold NH winter season!
I'm in New Hampshire so this unit will likely only be used during the day and early evening to keep the house comfortable. I have radiant floor heating (hydronic) for the winter months but will see how the heating side of the minisplit works in the cold NH winter season!
EastTexCowboy
Solar Wizard
Sweet! Looking forward to hearing how well it works.
That's strange, mine will be 100% solar. That should be more than enough! That's overkill actually. Hmm
Joe Gleason
New Member
When I was on AC only the unit drew anywhere from about 500 to 1500 watts, depending on how hard it was working. Today with solar input only the unit was using 800-1500 watts, all from the array. When I turned the AcInput back on the lowest the AcInput draw would go was 40 watts. When clouds shaded the array the AcInput usage went from 40W to a couple of hundred. The array dropped to about 200W at one point. It was fairly shaded at that point. Right now the unit is in cooling mode, fan on high and it is using PvInput of 559W and AcInput of 79W.
Had to buy 10 panels minimum with Signature Solar. I calculated out 7 panels to stay within the right voltage range. Wired in series.
Plum Crazy Rob
Solar Enthusiast
Welcome! I have a 24k churning away since Jan 1st. (1.32 Mw saved at appx 3:1 heat pump output = 4 Mw saved @ $130 per Mw. Correlates very nicely vs year over year bill Mw computation) Panels roof or ground mount?? Pics?? You may be relaxing for a bit under the cool air.. ?
Run 100% Solar since 3/1. If I enable AC grid 40W is spot on what I see. Also 7 385W Panels BTW.
Can you verify it with a watt meter? Just put it between the AC input and the wall outlet. Maybe it says 40W but it's not drawing anything.
Joe Gleason
New Member
Panels are ground mount (MacGyvered a temporary mount from some old 2x6 material). I'll meter the AC side tomorrow, maybe it isn't really drawing any - although I'd prefer the app to be accurate! I have a Pixel 7 and using the Smart Life app which is what came up when I scanned the qr code that came with the unit.
Nice savings Plum Crazy Rob!
Nice savings Plum Crazy Rob!
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Joe Gleason
New Member
Not much sun here today. I turned the unit on about an hour ago, AcInput was showing 40W in the app with the ac limiter turned on. While the app was still showing 40W from the grid I went down to my electrical panel and used my clamping meter on each of the hot legs of the circuit (my EG4 is the 24000btu so running 240V on 30A breaker.) I got a reading of .52 amps on each leg. Definitely using AC from the grid.
So, if I have a sunny day and leave the breaker turned on, I appear to be using AC from the grid, even when my panels are delivering more than enough to power the unit completely from solar. The app (Smart Life) has an AC Limiter function but it is on or off, no way to set a specific wattage for use of grid power.
The Solar Aircon app won't install on current Android devices so I am using SmartLife. I will probably dig out an older Android from my collection and see if I can install the Solar Aircon app on it. Not sure it has different functions or not but worth a try.
So, if I have a sunny day and leave the breaker turned on, I appear to be using AC from the grid, even when my panels are delivering more than enough to power the unit completely from solar. The app (Smart Life) has an AC Limiter function but it is on or off, no way to set a specific wattage for use of grid power.
The Solar Aircon app won't install on current Android devices so I am using SmartLife. I will probably dig out an older Android from my collection and see if I can install the Solar Aircon app on it. Not sure it has different functions or not but worth a try.
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