"Insider" indoor heat pump

Has anyone seen one of these in a stick built home?

It’s a Consolidated Technologies “Insider”, indoor heat pump. It seems they were originally intended for mobile homes. The test data at http://www.georgiapower.com/powerzone/word/MobileHome.doc suggests they are energy efficient but also that indoor temperatures run high in winter and summer. Pretty limited test though.

I believe the unit at the home is a 1992 model (#92110727 ?). No service stickers, a caked filter, and breaker trips as soon as the thermostat is turned to emergency heat. It did seem to run normally in regular heating mode. Obviously, the thing needs service (assuming anyone around here services these), but I’ve never seen the likes of this before and not sure what to tell the client about its “suitability”. You would think I would have seen more of these by now if they are actually a good idea. There was no reason as far as the home and property goes for them not to install a normal split system but, evidently, the previous homeowner was a rep for these units. Home originally had oil heat.

So…anyone know these? Are they still around? Pros and cons?

"However, we cannot determine whether the two sites used similar indoor temperature settings. If they were not the same, we also cannot estimate what the heating and cooling costs would have been if the control house had used the same indoor temperature settings as the Insider Heat Pump.
The ASHRAE comfort zone graphs indicated that the mobile home was "Too Hot" during the summer and winter months. This type of pattern typically occurs in homes occupied by elderly people."

My first thought on the 'temperatures being too hot in summer and winter was that the occupants could have set the thermostat higher, because that's where they could afford it during the summer or because that's where they like it, and being too hot in the winter is because that's where the occupants like it - which is what the last paragraph in that report (see above) basically said.

I've never heard of those before, but reading that report is like reading a science experiment by a grade schooler ... well, er, yes, I mean no, okay maybe ... ahhhh ... ummmm ... no ma'am, I didn't complete the project because my dog ate my data. :D

A report like that is less than useless.

Richard, I can't see a reason why it would not work in principle (but you knew that). I am guessing the exterior air is ducted in and out of the "exterior" coil.
Two potential problems I can see are the extra noise/vibration from the compressor being inside and twice the problems with condensate drains.
Did they have filters on both the coils or at least provision to get to the "outdoor" air coil to clean it?
Jim

"A report like that is less than useless."

Yep...as I said..."pretty limited". Actually kind of surprised they bothered posting the report. It was the only thing I could find on-line with a diagram of the unit. High temps in winter make no sense. High temps in the summer could be a lack of efficiency. Or it could just be the testing really sucked as you suggest. :)

"Did they have filters on both the coils or at least provision to get to the "outdoor" air coil to clean it?"

The rear panel was screwed on and looked as though it could be removed. I didn't try. Once the breaker started tripping in emergency heat I decided to leave the rest to the HVAC guy.

One other interesting note...I took a photo of the first page of the manual the seller had left on the kitchen table. It's "listed" for use in manufactured homes. I don't know that that necessarily means it isn't for regular houses, but it added to my misgivings. I'm sure that as a rep for these, the homeowner got a good deal on the unit. It may have been his old demo unit for all I know. But, that doesn't mean he should have used it in this application.

Oh well...I've reported my concerns and recommended repair AND evaluation. Not sure what else I can do.

Gotta run....

Was it noisy due to the compressor being inside?

Jim L.,

At least it's a scroll compressor they tend to cut down on the noise.

"Was it noisy due to the compressor being inside?"

I guess that's relative. It was in a closet off of a bit of a odd room in this '55 rambler. I could see the room being used as the TV/family room. So, while it was probably a little quieter than an outdoor unit, it would still be way too loud to enjoy TV without bulky headphones or a book without ear-plugs.

Just a little funk to keep the job interesting!

Hi, I'm trying to find diagrams of the Insider heat pump/AC unit you are talking about. Can any help?

New to this group, found it by looking for people who need repairs, parts or new replacements for "The Insider".

So, no false statements. Perhaps I can be of help.

History - was designed with input from EPRI and Hud; was awarded many energy efficiency awards and found its way into modular homes as well as quite a few upscale buildings around the states.

My company specializes in Water and Energy conservation and as such we represent several companies that can clone old abandome models such as these.

I do not want to cross any boundaries here, but how do we find out the model info, etc to determine what you have and what components you need to fix this puppy?

contac me at any time 407-247-6366 or commercialsales@bellsouth.net

I have an insider heat pump and I have the electrical schematics if you would like a copy of it let me know. I am looking for the post flow board if any one has one.

I am presently working on an insider heat setup---i have a wiring diagram, but over half is not
readable Mod nbr is CDHP27 ser nbr 89060066 if anyone has a readable wiring diag pls emil to

Ramsey_ed@hotmail.com thanks