Has anyone bought Unico air conditioning System?
I did a search in the lounge and did not see any postings of anyone who has actually installed the Unico a/c system and new roof.
I know that this is a very expensive solution, but I would love to hear from anyone who has actually bit the bullet - whether they thought it was worth it, what roofing system they installed with it, what the final cost was and their general view of the experience and expenditure of funds.
It is that time of year again and we are really not looking forward to another summer of misery......
Please give feedback to me at my email:
wberliner at yahoo dot com
I'm going to ask a question of your question. :)
Is the Unico System part of a roof/A/C package? or do you have to remove the roof, put in the Unico system, and then put on a new roof?
I saw on another post that the system was $30,000 - but is that getting a new roof as well? If so, that doesn't seem so bad, but I have a feeling I'm missing something... (like the additional cost of a foam roof...)
i just had the unico system priced for my home... this was in combination with a new foam roof (which, i understand, is the best/only time to install this low-profile duct system)...
unico: (parts and installation): $30-35K
foam roof: $28K (it was an extra $10K for the additional work req'd for the unico system)
it was around a $60ish total package, which is about 10% of the value of my home... we simply couldn't justify it and instead are planning a mini-split system (LG art-cool) and a new foam roof at literally 1/2 of the price ($15K for AC/HP install and $18 for the roof)... i also have to mention that both the roofing and HVAC vendors are wonderful folks... the unico is simply expensive (for us, it was like looking at a mercedes on a VW-budget)
i'm not sure it makes sense to install a unico system without covering it with a foam room.
I was wondering if anyone has installed the LG mini split system into their home. I and another person in my neighborhood are giving it serious thought, but we can't seem to find anyone with any experience installling this type, let alone expertise.
:shock:
wow! 60k?
Ok - so my foam roof I've been quoted at at $16,700 is what I should go with. Now to figure out what to do about A/C.
If I can hi-jack thread one more time...
Can I do a foam roof now, and later add something like the LG mini split you all are talking about? I haven't researched that option at all yet - but my roofer is willing to start in two weeks.
$16 seems in the ballpark for foam roof, if not a bit low (or lower than our quote, but i'm not quibbling). however, adding a foam roof opens up lots of opportunities to do things that would be difficult (but not impossible) to do later -- things like data wiring, electrical wiring... essentially anything you'd typically run through the attic or crawlspace.
the unico system makes sense to add *before* the foam because the foam covers the ductwork for physical protection/insulation and well as limited visual impact. the foam will also cover the linesets and electrical runs for a mini-split, but these linesets can also be run along the side of the house, or even on top of the foam (if poking through the foam, the areas would need to be resealed).
there are really a number of AC solutions that range from cutting a hole in your wall and permanently installing a "window" unit... all the way up to a unico system. from a BTU perspective, the "hole in the wall" setup could run you as little as $1000 for six 8K BTU units (48K BTU total) where as the 48K BTU unico system would run about 60X that amount (but not involve you cutting holes in your wall)... your choice
I had priced out the UNICO system and could not justify the cost.
We installed the Fujitsu Split Ducts a Year ago. I looked into the LG Model but last year it was Air-Conditioning Only. We wanted to have both the option of Air and a Heat Pump which the Fujitsu, and other brands offer.
You could install the units after a new roof BUT I would not recommend it. To hide the units as much as possible it is best to run the lines across the roof and pop down thru the walls to the interior units.
Before that new roof goes on, make sure you take advantage and install things like new power to the kitchen, CAT6 wire to a new media center and or new coaxial cables.
Both estimates seem out of line with my experience. I've had foam roofs installed on two different 1700 sq foot Eichlers and both were in the $16k range.
I've also priced out two different high velocity AC systems. While the Unico system was the most expensive, the estimate was in the $25k range. I don't remember the name of the other system, but it was in the $20k range. I didn't go with either as I couldn't justify the cost relative to the few hot days we generally experience. But as my radiant system gets older, I'm beginning the think that the system makes sense as a back up (or primary) heat supply, especially if a new $5,000 boiler will be necessary in the near future.
