Which furnace? - Dettson Compact vs. Keeprite Low Capacity
#1
01-18-18, 07:56 AM
Which furnace? - Dettson Compact vs. Keeprite Low Capacity
I'm trying to heat a small apartment with a forced air gas furnace.
I've already considered both hydronics and heat pumps/electric heat and have ruled them all out for variety of reasons.
It's a small apartment (~500sqft) and Manual J gets me to about 14,000 BTU heating.
I know "rules of thumb" are useless, but if I use 50 BTU/sqft (as some sources recommend), I get right about 25,000 BTU.
I am considering two options:
a) a Dettson Chinook Compact - mods from 6,000 BTU - 15,000 BTU. Perfectly sized, but downside is that it's more expensive, harder to service, local suppliers don't stock parts etc. This is a rental property, so I do have to consider ease/cost of servicing.
b) a Keeprite G9MXE Low Capacity Furnace - single stage at 26,000 BTUs with ECM. My HVAC guy recommends this one over the Dettson because it's less expensive, and easier to service - he says not to worry about short cycling.
What are your thoughts? I'd prefer the Keeprite, but should I worry about problems if it's almost double my heating load?
Much appreciated
I've already considered both hydronics and heat pumps/electric heat and have ruled them all out for variety of reasons.
It's a small apartment (~500sqft) and Manual J gets me to about 14,000 BTU heating.
I know "rules of thumb" are useless, but if I use 50 BTU/sqft (as some sources recommend), I get right about 25,000 BTU.
I am considering two options:
a) a Dettson Chinook Compact - mods from 6,000 BTU - 15,000 BTU. Perfectly sized, but downside is that it's more expensive, harder to service, local suppliers don't stock parts etc. This is a rental property, so I do have to consider ease/cost of servicing.
b) a Keeprite G9MXE Low Capacity Furnace - single stage at 26,000 BTUs with ECM. My HVAC guy recommends this one over the Dettson because it's less expensive, and easier to service - he says not to worry about short cycling.
What are your thoughts? I'd prefer the Keeprite, but should I worry about problems if it's almost double my heating load?
Much appreciated
#2
01-18-18, 04:17 PM
Group Moderator
Welcome to the forums.
I'm guessing you're from Canada as the manuals for those units are in French. I've never heard of the Chinook. Looks cute, probably very efficient but could need expensive servicing. The Keeprite unit is made by ICP ( international comfort products) and would probably be the better choice for reliability.
I'm not sure what to think about the size. It is slightly over what is required. I think I would still opt for that unit.
I'm guessing you're from Canada as the manuals for those units are in French. I've never heard of the Chinook. Looks cute, probably very efficient but could need expensive servicing. The Keeprite unit is made by ICP ( international comfort products) and would probably be the better choice for reliability.
I'm not sure what to think about the size. It is slightly over what is required. I think I would still opt for that unit.
