when talking payoff periods, where you live and how much you pay per Kw, make a big difference . In central Ca. a kw. is $.35 to $.45. In Las Vegas it is less than $.20 kw. but you need AC twenty four seven, five months of the year. We only use it about six hours a day , for 3 months. My average bill was $250./month before solar , so my $12k diy solar & battery system has a payoff period of about 4 years. Coupled with two 12btu Mini splits that cost about $2.70k and save me between $700. and $1500 per winter, depending on how greedy the gas company is feeling .
If you are going to talk about costs, it would be helpful to post your utility rates and location for others to compare . Anyone with utility rates like mine, and diy ability, would be wise to invest in a mini-split. The payoff can be as little as two years, if you buy wisely.
Agreed. But dealing with Kw pricing is convoluted, they charge me one price for the first 600 Kw and another price for usage after that,
plus other factors play into the bottom line like home insulation, age and SEER rating of existing Central system vrs the much higher and more efficent use of the mini split, ect...
But, what I can say is my August bill is $295 just for electric Use and Delivery charges - typical for summer months.
The rest of the time its only like $50 bucks, maybe a little spike for Christmas lights...
So if we averaged saving say $200 x 4 summer months, Payed $3000 for the system, Got $900 back on the taxes. -
That's $2100 COP divided by $800 savings a year = payoff in 2.625 years.
That's not to mention any heat savings I would incur in winter. Gas here is cheap compared to electric and I usually run a gas fireplace for 75% of my heating needs so I would need some real time usage to figure that out.
So ya, your correct
The payoff can be as little as two years, if you buy wisely.
I have no issue with using a Mini-Split thru an already existing large Solar infrastructure.
And I see the draw... its very addicting and you just want more.
I am just trying to make a case to "Haters" who say there is no place for a dedicated Solar Panel driven Mini-Splits.
- For those reading this in research, this is a cheap, quick payout and easy way to get into Solar,
- For those with small to medium sized systems this maybe a way to up your game without having to redo the system you already have.
- For those who have gone whole hog on Solar, more is better isn't it. : ) Get the AC/DC one and sleep better at night knowing if your system blows up you can just plug your panels directly into the Mini-Split.
Can't we all just get along! : )