Best Mini-Split?

[kooshball]

Are there any decent free online tools for load calculations on a simple structure like a shop or barn?

 

[jlwest]

I do put a additional fiberglass filter over my air intake for dust control.

 

[MikeH]

After reading all this I'm at a loss. We need one for our bonus room above the garage and I have no idea what brand to go with.

 

[bowman]

Sounds like there are good options, Mr Cool, Seville, Midea, mentioned. Consider it a consumable and plan on replacing in a few years. Technology and pricing changes constantly.

 

[AllanD]

Here are the options basically as I see it. First decide whether you are going to do it all yourself. If you don't have the tools to nitrogen pressure test, pull a vacuum, etc. then you need to order the Mr. Cool since it comes with precharged lines and special fittings. If you plan on either doing the physical install and then call a technician to do the charging or plan on having a technician do everything then decide whether you are going with a cheap unit (doesn't matter the brand since probably made in the same factory) or go premium like Mitsubishi. I elected to go cheap and will replace if I ever need to.

 

[Jack A.]

Are there any decent free online tools for load calculations on a simple structure like a shop or barn?

I didn't find any specifically for simple structures. I tried several of the online sizers for houses with different levels of complexity, and got a pretty wide variety of results. However, most of them said I needed a 24k unit.

Based on those results and reading/watching various sources, I decided to go undersized and got an 18k unit. This makes the unit run pretty much non-stop, which is supposed to increase efficiency. This is fine for me since I always planned to leave it running, not turn it on and off like some do. I sized the circuit (wiring, not breaker) for a 24k unit just in case.

So far it has had no problem maintaining 70* this summer. If I'm out there making heat during the hottest part of the day, it starts to creep up to around 72*, but I'm OK with that. The shop is fully sealed, but I haven't finished installing all of the insulation. Also, I have a large garage door that only has add-on insulation (R-6 I think).

I installed the unit this spring, so I don't have any experience with its winter performance yet.

Regarding which unit, I think the best advice is to look at the warranty. Most have a 5-year warranty, but some have longer, which would tend to indicate a higher-quality unit. The other thing I considered was whether the warranty allowed homeowner installation. Some don't. I installed the unit myself, so that was an important consideration.

I ended up getting a Pioneer from Home Depot. Decent price and free delivery. Installed it myself. It isn't dead simple, but not that hard, either. The hardest part by far was being able to get a good quality flare on the 1/4" copper line. I have the specialty tools if someone wants to borrow them.

 

[ashley_phil]

After reading all this I'm at a loss. We need one for our bonus room above the garage and I have no idea what brand to go with.

the Senville i installed is doing fine still for us at the beach. granted it isn't used daily.

the only tool i didn't own already to install it was a HVAC pump and reader kit. youtube showed me how to use those.

plan to install it during business hours and the folks on senvilles help line will answer any questions you have in real time.

 

[HMH]

Timely topic! I pretty much killed myself this weekend laying rubber floor over the whole shop, (moving everything out, manhandling super heavy rolls of rubber, cutting to fit, then rolling everything back in), so I called my go-to HVAC company for a quote on a mini-split. They came out today and we hashed out a plan for location, (don’t want the condenser on the front of the house, etc), and they rep Mitsubishi, but the whole package gave me a bit of sticker shock, (~$6500 for an 18K BTU if anyone was wondering). Too darn hot to do much about it myself right now, but this may become a fall project…

 

[DSWalker]

After reading all this I'm at a loss. We need one for our bonus room above the garage and I have no idea what brand to go with.

Hey, my Pioneer 18k unit is still going strong, installed in Sept 2017. I have pretty much had it running non stop since installing. It did have a lightning strike nearby that fried the motherboard once. We replaced that and that has pretty much been all the maint needed.

We decided to leave it in the apartment and replace when it dies.

 

[ashley_phil]

Timely topic! I pretty much killed myself this weekend laying rubber floor over the whole shop, (moving everything out, manhandling super heavy rolls of rubber, cutting to fit, then rolling everything back in), so I called my go-to HVAC company for a quote on a mini-split. They came out today and we hashed out a plan for location, (don’t want the condenser on the front of the house, etc), and they rep Mitsubishi, but the whole package gave me a bit of sticker shock, (~$6500 for an 18K BTU if anyone was wondering). Too darn hot to do much about it myself right now, but this may become a fall project…

fwiw 6500 for a professional turn key install of a 18k btu unit doesn't sound awfully inflated to me. i had about 4k in installing the senville 22k unit i put in myself.

 

[HMH]

fwiw 6500 for a professional turn key install of a 18k btu unit doesn't sound awfully inflated to me. i had about 4k in installing the senville 22k unit i put in myself.

Hmm, good to know - thanks for verifying/ order of magnitude! I initially pulled up the equipment they quoted, and I was coming up to ~$2500 for the system, but as w/ anything I'm sure there are other parts/ pieces that aren't included, and would be needed here, (line set, cover, new electrical box(es), pad for the condenser, refrigerant, etc) that would likely close that gap quick - not to mention the inevitable learning curve on my end making this 1 of 1 project take 3x as long as it should for me to do it, ha. With that info in hand, I'll reconsider. Thanks!

Edit to add, digging further, it looks like the 30% tax credit is still available, which caps at $2000 - which is pretty much the full 30% of the above. I pay out of the nose for taxes, so this is looking better and better.

 

[ashley_phil]

Hmm, good to know - thanks for verifying/ order of magnitude! I initially pulled up the equipment they quoted, and I was coming up to ~$2500 for the system, but as w/ anything I'm sure there are other parts/ pieces that aren't included, and would be needed here, (line set, cover, new electrical box(es), pad for the condenser, refrigerant, etc) that would likely close that gap quick - not to mention the inevitable learning curve on my end making this 1 of 1 project take 3x as long as it should for me to do it, ha. With that info in hand, I'll reconsider. Thanks!

Edit to add, digging further, it looks like the 30% tax credit is still available, which caps at $2000 - which is pretty much the full 30% of the above. I pay out of the nose for taxes, so this is looking better and better.

this is the one i put in

28000 BTU Dual Zone Mini Split Air Conditioner - Heat Pump - SENA/30HF/D

The Senville SENA-30HF/D is a 28,000 BTU dual zone mini split air conditioner and heat pump. Energy efficient, with smart home capabilities and backed by a 10-year warranty.

senville.com

I had to pay extra for a longer lineset, purchase hvac tool kit, run electrical line, etc. i don't recall exactly but it was the better part of 4k.

now there are simpler less expensive units. it was a weekend project, luckily i had my college age son to scurry through the roof and pull the wires and line sets.

 

[ptt49er]

I've installed 2 Mr Cool minisplits - an 18k in the bonus room (600 sq ft) and a 24k in the shop (1200 sq ft).

Watched for deals and got the 18k for $1300 delivered in 2021 (been running great) and the 24k for $1600 (found a 20% coupon for Zoro).

Install was quick, hardest part is pulling the wire for the new circuits.

 

[kooshball]

FWIIW, unless I find a coupon code for a Mr. Cool, I will go with a 18000btu Pioneer. They honor the full warranty even if the unit is installed by a home owner which isn’t the same for Senville.

 

[JSFoster75]

As we transition my shop to an apartment and build a couple of internal walls, we are going to replace the 7-8 year old Pioneer Mini-Split unit with a new dual head unit to provide better coverage through out the space. I know Mitsubishi was one of the better brands when I was initially looking. I haven't done much research this go around,

Just wondering if that is still one of the better brands or if anyone has any other recommendations.

Thanks

I ordered one for my garage from here: DIY Mini Split Air Conditioners | Chill Mini Splits
So far it is working fantastic... It's been in for over a year and has helped tremendously.

Here's the unit I ordered: https://chillminisplits.com/product...-pump-w-wifi-230v?_pos=1&_sid=fe93785c7&_ss=r

 

[mgreene93]

I had a Mitsubishi year ago. They never could get it to work, so I installed an old window air conditioner. The Mitsubishi is still sitting outside my shop. I’ll scrap it someday.

 

[Dee2]

Finalized the filter plenums this week. System has been installed about two months.

6 yr warranty from HVACdirect. We'll see.

 

[John Laine]

If you are not a professional HVAC installer, the DIY units are do-able. You've probably heard of MrCool for these, lately quality has been an issue with the recent installs. The newer Zone Air DIY units have been good for me lately. Not sure on any other DIY units though.

MRCOOL® | Innovative Heating & Cooling Solutions

Discover MRCOOL's innovative heating and cooling solutions, including ductless mini-splits, heat pumps, and more. Comfort made simple.

www.mrcool.com

Zone Air | DIY Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps (Official Site)

Zone Air offers high-efficiency ductless mini split heat pumps for easy DIY installation. Shop single- and multi-zone systems with fast shipping.

zone-air.com

 

[jlwest]

I got a Daiken. !0 year parts and labor warranty. Been cooling and heating for 5 years with no problems.

 

[scsmith42]

According to my HVAC guy, the best mini-splits are Mitsubishi, Daiken, and Carrier.

I can attest to the high quality of the Mitsubishi units, and the disappointing quality of the Pioneer units.