Best Mini-Split AC Question

[N-P-Kali]

Daiken, Samsung, Mitsubishi, Fugitsu..I have a few of each brand. Average price tag 3500 USD for the smaller 3-ton units, all the way up to 28500 USD for the Daiken 8-zone 6-ton. Price depends on air handler type, system configuration (multi or single zone) and cooling requirements. Remember with mini-split air conditioners you get what you pay for. Communication board wiring issues or bad run capacitors are very common problems with cheaper split units and as all of us here understand environment is 85% of the game, that being said spend more and get more. And always buy top of the line thermostats.


Daiken is by far the most efficient @ 26 SEER but is generally 2 - 3 times more expensive than any other brand, but they are the sh*t.
Samsungs are 18 - 23 SEER
Mitsubishi and Fugitsu are 18 - 23 SEER depending on model and cooling/heating capacity.
All of the above come with heat pump and dehumidifier mode.

Anybody rock the dual units?

I have a few dual and tri-zone units and they work extremely well.
One outdoor condenser unit with a branch box that connects line sets to (2) 18k BTU air handlers in (2) separate zones and a 12k BTU air handler in another zone without any drag. Cool, heats, dehumidifies on different schedules, day and night, simultaneously.

Samsungs are an unsung hero in the split ac category and have IMHO the most intuitive thermostat firmware.

Don't put your condenser/inverter in the attic whatever you do unless you are planning on installing a cool air passive intake with a purge fan >2500CFM otherwise when the unit is working the condenser/inverter generates considerable heat so you would be looking at 140F - 160F temperatures in your attic which very quickly will damage the compressor and communication board. Seen it happen.

 

[ZinksInk]

If you do have problems buying the R-410a for a split system you can easily get your self certified. R-410a safety cert. is free and doable online. http://www.epatest.com/R410A/openbook/

To obtain a certification you also need to get the 608 certification, the level I test you can take online and is open book. This is all that you should need to purchase tanks of R-410 from suppliers should you have a problem buying the refrigerant.

Technically there is no requirement to be certified to buy R-410a but many HVAC suppliers are scared to do a sale due to the fines EPA can impose. Ive had best luck purchasing the refrigerant by calling and requesting an invoice prior to purchasing in person with cash.

If they let you "pre order" with an invoice you should have no problem picking up the tank. Just don't ask questions or you risk them canceling the sale, i've also had this happen before. Best of luck to you all.

I had a samsung unit and it worked great. Had a problem guessing the toque on the lines and had to go get a pipe cutter, and flaring tool. I was able to repair the line, purge it with a pump and successfully charge the unit all on my own. Only problem was the Chinglish manual....

Most units have an option to pump down the charge inside the outdoor unit should you have to do a reinstall at another property. Anytime you disconnect the hoses you do need to pull a vacuum on the lines to clear out any moisture in the lines.

Also for folks with extreme cold temperatures look and see if they offer a low ambient temp sensor.... I know such an option is offered on the samsung models.

 

[LEDNewbie]

Daiken, Samsung, Mitsubishi, Fugitsu..I have a few of each brand. Average price tag 3500 USD for the smaller 3-ton units, all the way up to 28500 USD for the Daiken 8-zone 6-ton. Price depends on air handler type, system configuration (multi or single zone) and cooling requirements. Remember with mini-split air conditioners you get what you pay for. Communication board wiring issues or bad run capacitors are very common problems with cheaper split units and as all of us here understand environment is 85% of the game, that being said spend more and get more. And always buy top of the line thermostats.


Daiken is by far the most efficient @ 26 SEER but is generally 2 - 3 times more expensive than any other brand, but they are the sh*t.
Samsungs are 18 - 23 SEER
Mitsubishi and Fugitsu are 18 - 23 SEER depending on model and cooling/heating capacity.
All of the above come with heat pump and dehumidifier mode.



I have a few dual and tri-zone units and they work extremely well.
One outdoor condenser unit with a branch box that connects line sets to (2) 18k BTU air handlers in (2) separate zones and a 12k BTU air handler in another zone without any drag. Cool, heats, dehumidifies on different schedules, day and night, simultaneously.

Samsungs are an unsung hero in the split ac category and have IMHO the most intuitive thermostat firmware.

Don't put your condenser/inverter in the attic whatever you do unless you are planning on installing a cool air passive intake with a purge fan >2500CFM otherwise when the unit is working the condenser/inverter generates considerable heat so you would be looking at 140F - 160F temperatures in your attic which very quickly will damage the compressor and communication board. Seen it happen.

is this unit any good? Thanks

http://www.amgair.com/air-conditioners/samsung-vivace-mini-split-heat-pump-aqv18vbe-18k-btu/

 

[Puscifer]

Samsung's are decent but over priced for the quality. You can get Mitsu for damn near equal $$$ and a higher seer rating...http://www.goductless.com/Mitsubishi-Mr-Slim-mitsubishi-air-conditioner-p/11029.htm
And contrary to popular belief, Daiken is not the most efficient. That honor goes to LG@ 28 SEER.
http://www.goductless.com/LG-Air-conditioner-Ductless-Mini-Split-Heat-Pumps-p/13840.htm

 

[N-P-Kali]

Yep LED Newbie..That is a good unit. Go with it.

@Puscifer. If you notice my Daikin is 8-zone, 6 ton or 72000btu, 26 SEER. LG tips the scale @ 9k btu and is a single zone unit with a 28 SEER rating. If your looking for an AC to service a 1200watt show or a drying room in Beirut I guess that would work.
Speaking from experience is what I am doing. I own the units I speak of; I didn't just google figures from a retailers webpage. Looks like you came here to play games not pass real knowledge. Mushroom

 

[Puscifer]

I too speak from what I use brother. Not my first rodeo by any means...
I have personally installed Mitsu's and the LG I spoke of, and use 2 Mitsu's myself.
I don't see where you think I'm playing games. Seems you took it personally when I said Lg's are more efficient. Grow up dude.

 

[N-P-Kali]

I too speak from what I use brother. Not my first rodeo by any means...
I have personally installed Mitsu's and the LG I spoke of, and use 2 Mitsu's myself.
I don't see where you think I'm playing games. Seems you took it personally when I said Lg's are more efficient. Grow up dude.

Nothing personal Puscifer but on a 9k BTU scale of course the LG units have a bit more (2SEER) efficiency than a Daikin 72k BTU with 26 SEER. This is a paramount consideration when designing an HVAC system. Its similar to thrust to weight ratio except opposite; imagine a Ducati with 650bhp @175kg. SEER decreases as performance (BTU) increases, typically, however with Daikin @ 3∅ 460v there is very little fall off in efficiency; a rare trait.

I said " samsungs are the unsung heroes of split units, and, they possess IMO a firmware that is most intuitive" ; To which you lamented they are "overpriced" without an iota of quantitative data to support your statement.


My aggravation stems from your ignorance and your taking my statements out of context as well as commenting on matters of which you have no understanding.

On the "Grow up dude" comment let me say this. Your are right, I should. No need for this to exchange to become vituperative.

BTW.. Your gorilla grape looks great.

 

[Desert Hydro]

i feel sorry for all you guys paying a shit ton for these. i got a bad ass 18k for $500 in mexico. still havent even hooked it up yet. they use them a lot in mex so there is a pretty good market there. i thought about buying a few and bringing em over and reselling them but us americans havent quite caught on to them yet.

some day im gonna set up a full room where i will need it and i will bust out my 10x10 tent again and do work in there haha

 

[N-P-Kali]

Let us know when you install the unit. Had a Soleus 18k BTU unit I paid $1000USD with line set and it performed quite well. I donated it to a friend and upgraded to the Samsung's. Keep an eye on the run capacitor and compressor. Good luck on the 1GPW quest and Farewell.

Hey Pucsifer. Please accept my apologies for being a douche and jumping your shit. I was having a bad day and took it out on everyone including you.

 

[Zumie]

just installed a 24000 btu "Ideal aire" SEER 15 mini split AC unit, thing is awesome since it is cold out now I have not been able to test it on the really hot days while running a boat load of watts, but I think it should be able to handle the task...retail was $2400 and change or so

 

[Grow4Flow]

anyone have any experience with these? only 12K btu and i am told that no 12k btu unit has a heat pump in it yet it states that it has a dehumidifier function...

https://www.acwholesalers.com/Fried...d=cat1028&mainCat=&subCat=&trail=18442:1 Ton#

 

[Puscifer]

Someone lied to you.
Seriously though, whats your question? They do make them in 12k btu heatpumps.

 

[Grow4Flow]

basically wanted to know if this model was a decent one. and also about the reviews of this distributor. lol, it was my local hydro that told me this.

 

[Puscifer]

Friedrich's are decent. I would take a Mitsubishi or Daikin over ANY brand but Friedrich is a decent brand. A few guys on these boards are rockin Friedrich's right now.
Also, Friedrich makes diy models, no hvac tech needed whatsoever. Check out ThirdCoast's build, he's using a 24k bti diy Friedrich and is loving it.
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?p=5816131#post5816131
~Pus~

 

[Grow4Flow]

Friedrich's are decent. I would take a Mitsubishi or Daikin over ANY brand but Friedrich is a decent brand. A few guys on these boards are rockin Friedrich's right now.
Also, Friedrich makes diy models, no hvac tech needed whatsoever. Check out ThirdCoast's build, he's using a 24k bti diy Friedrich and is loving it.
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?p=5816131#post5816131
~Pus~

THanks Pus,
after extensive research, numerous calls to Friderich and $1600 poorer, my Breeze unit ships tomorrow, can't wait.

 

[Coconutz]

The Daikin says its cooling mode only works down to 50F and that the unit has a safety feature that might shut it off. It gets down to 35F here in SoCal. Is that gonna be a problem?

 

[the gnome]

If you do have problems buying the R-410a for a split system you can easily get your self certified. R-410a safety cert. is free and doable online. http://www.epatest.com/R410A/openbook/

To obtain a certification you also need to get the 608 certification, the level I test you can take online and is open book. This is all that you should need to purchase tanks of R-410 from suppliers should you have a problem buying the refrigerant.

Technically there is no requirement to be certified to buy R-410a but many HVAC suppliers are scared to do a sale due to the fines EPA can impose. Ive had best luck purchasing the refrigerant by calling and requesting an invoice prior to purchasing in person with cash.

If they let you "pre order" with an invoice you should have no problem picking up the tank. Just don't ask questions or you risk them canceling the sale, i've also had this happen before. Best of luck to you all.

I had a samsung unit and it worked great. Had a problem guessing the toque on the lines and had to go get a pipe cutter, and flaring tool. I was able to repair the line, purge it with a pump and successfully charge the unit all on my own. Only problem was the Chinglish manual....

Most units have an option to pump down the charge inside the outdoor unit should you have to do a reinstall at another property. Anytime you disconnect the hoses you do need to pull a vacuum on the lines to clear out any moisture in the lines.

Also for folks with extreme cold temperatures look and see if they offer a low ambient temp sensor.... I know such an option is offered on the samsung models.

so I can get my self certified online and not have to go through a middle man to get 410a
this is xcellent news!

 

[sajesak]

I'm in the same boat.

Needing something before summer hits. 36k as well. I'm pretty sure I can handle the install, but still nervous doing it myself.

Looking forward to your feedback.

The 36k Aura fits my budget, but do you think its a solid unit? I've heard to use nothing less then York, Mr. Slim or Frederich but they'll run nearly double the money the Aura 36k would cost me.

It'd be easy to get because my local shop would cut me a deal on one, but it states that the 1yr warranty is void if not installed by a HVAC tech. I'd hate to get the unit - install it properly myself - and then have it crap out simply because its a crap brand. I'm leary of anything like this targeting the hydroponic industry directly.

Do the Aura units use inverter technology?
The other specs seem good.

..

Do you guys think its sketch to have a mini split installed outside next to the larger central air unit - giving me 2 units outside a regular 1900 sq ft house or so? I'm rural, but still worry that insurance agents, utility people or whom ever else might walk around my house one day might deem it suspicious....especially if I'm running a Aura which has a bright green logo on it and is the brand featured in hydroponic shops/industry Air Conditioners USA. I know... I'm a paranoid son of a bitch...but its the little things ya know that either enhance or negatively effect your quality of life.

I recently purchased a new house, and I'm going step by step upgrading what I can afford at the time. My heating is hydronic baseboard powered by a 30 year old peerless boiler burning oil. I have no air conditioning at the moment, nor ductwork. My boiler is insufficient and I've already had to spend a few hundred fixing it, so it's on my short list of things to replace. Right above it is adding air conditioning.

Assuming I need to replace my boiler, I figured I might as well do both at the same time and install the air conditioning and boiler in one go. This leaves me with a few options- do I keep the hydronic baseboard and get a new oil boiler, and add in ductwork for central air? Or go with mini-split for central air? Or replace the oil boiler completely and go with a furnace and ductwork for propane forced air and central air?

My house is built in the late 80's in New England, it's 3000 Sq FT 4 bedrooms, a very rectangular colonial with a walkup attic and open basement, so adding ductwork would probably be easy if I put a unit in the attic and a unit in the basement.

I love certain things about baseboard hydronic, and I hate certain things about it, so I'm neutral. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[Deleted User 0283844]

PIONEER Diamante Series Ductless Mini-Split
120000 btu


I've used for about 3 years.

No issues , charged and Vacuum yourself if your handy it's not to hard.

I run a TrolMaster Digital Day/Night Remote Controller the beta 1

I deff recommend both