easy on boats and is overlooked all too
often.
Using reverse-cycle air-conditioning for
both heating and cooling reduces this to a
single system. It’s an attractive alternative
for powerboats with generators, but you are
relying on the generator and won’t get suffi-
cient heat for real winter use, except in
southern waters. Similarly, a chilled-water
(tempered) system can share the piping and
air handlers for the air-conditioning with a
hydronic (hot-water) heater. This is an
excellent approach, but chilled-water sys-
tems really are only appropriate for large
vessels. Most average craft will end up with
the completely separate heating and cool-
ing systems. Be careful to think this through
when laying out accommodations or making
modifications:
- How and where will ducts and pipes run?
- Where will the central heater be located?
- Where will the air-conditioning units be
located? - Will the air-conditioner be split direct-
expansion or self-contained direct-
expansion? - Where will the air handlers and grilles
be located? - Where will the heater radiators be
located? - Where are the thermostats and controls
to be installed? - Are there sufficient breakers on the AC
and DC electric panels?
Carefully reviewing all these details in
advance will save many headaches down the
road.Chapter 15: Air-Conditioning and Heating