Best Place to buy Mini Split

[priobe]

Hello All,

I am looking to purchase a 2 ton mini split and would like to know where is the best place to buy one. I am really not too concerned about brand. I was thinking of maybe a Mr. Cool since it would make install easier and it being pre-charged etc. . However if it more cost effective to vacuum and charge I am cable of doing that too. This will be a DIY project.

Where are the recommended places?

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

The pre-charged line sets are more $. If you are capable of flaring, vacuuming, purging and charging (if needed) then most non-"DIY" will be cheaper when shopping comparable systems.

I installed an multi-head LG unit at my house, ran the line sets, flared and connected the ends. However I paid a HVAC tech to start up the system which included vacuuming, purging and vacuuming again ~$300.

 

[GRivera]

Mr Cool DIY units have a long- I believe 7 year- warranty. If you buy the type that requires vacuuming and charging lines keep in mind it will require a licensed HVAC tech to maintain the warranty. Also, it may not be 7 years.

It’s been said here some HVAC techs don’t like dealing with a homeowner installed unit and will charge a premium more than offsetting any savings by not going with a DIY unit (assuming Mr Cool).

 

[chinboys]

Free shipping, no internet sales tax, competitive prices, reputation and reliability of the seller and the brands they carry are my criterias.
I like Supply abcde. I like the LG brand.
My opinion and please verifiy for yourself.

 

[priobe]

Thanks for the feedback and particular sites or companies to purchase from?

 

[GRivera]

Ingram’s Water and Air Equipment: https://iwae.com/shop/heating-air-conditioning/full-systems/ductless-split-systems/

Exceptional customer service

 

[Terry D]

Bought my 18K Mr cool non DIY mini split through Home depot. They had the best price, almost 200.00 cheaper than I could find it anywhere else. Plus free shipping to the store

 

[priobe]

Terry, how big is the area your are cooling. I was thinking of using a 2 ton for 400 sq feet, but maybe 1.5 maybe better sized?

 

[justinjoyal]

2 ton for 400 sq ft? Woah.

 

[priobe]

Garage, Miami Fl., 12 ft ceilings, No insulation (Block construction)... looking to cool down the area when the door opens / hot car enters area.

What do you recommend?

 

[Terry D]

Terry, how big is the area your are cooling. I was thinking of using a 2 ton for 400 sq feet, but maybe 1.5 maybe better sized?

400 sq feet, I over sized it because my garage is not insulated all that well. ceiling is 8 ft.

If it was insulated better 12k would have been plenty

 

[priobe]

ok thanks I guess I was overly sizing it. HD does have a good price, thanks for the recommendation

 

[mepstein]

I just bought one from the pioneer store. Comes pre charged and they sell a $35 kit to do the vacuum. Priced good and 21,5 seer. Free ship.

 

[motterpaul]

I bought my Pioneers at HighSeer in Florida. They are non-DIY. Prices are right and I find the company to be very customer-friendly. They have even shipped me spare parts by surprise solely because I called with a technical question. I just bought two units where the install did not go so well (I have learned a lot since then and will not be using that installer again), and they gave me a 15% repeat customer discount which covered the shipping costs.

 

[motterpaul]

I just bought one from the pioneer store. Comes pre charged and they sell a $35 kit to do the vacuum. Priced good and 21,5 seer. Free ship.

Not to sound contrary because it comes out to about the same price either way, but Highseer sells the same units from the same supplier, but shipping is not included, but when you add it in the price is about the same as the Pioneer store.

I actually suspect they might be the same business just different storefronts. AKA Parker Davis or pdhvac.com But the service from calling Highseer is what I liked.

Also - I am curious if you have tried the Kwik $35 kit before. I have not but I am curious about it.

 

[mepstein]

Not to sound contrary because it comes out to about the same price either way, but Highseer sells the same units from the same supplier, but shipping is not included, but when you add it in the price is about the same as the Pioneer store.

I actually suspect they might be the same business just different storefronts. AKA Parker Davis or pdhvac.com But the service from calling Highseer is what I liked.

Also - I am curious if you have tried the Kwik $35 kit before. I have not but I am curious about it.

I have never done any kind of a/c install but I have neighbors on either side who do all this kind of diy stuff in their sleep. One used to be an electrician before doing commercial building stuff and told me he'll help me with any or all of it.
I didn't shop around. I saw what I liked and purchased. I bought all the extras like mounting kit, trim kit, etc to make it easy.
After such a hot humid summer, I can't wait to try it.

 

[cstmg8]

When you guys say "flaring", are you using compression fittings and not brazing the line sets in? I'm also looking for a system for my new shop, but I've always brazed.
I had looked at the diy, but what you posted is half the price.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[KenC]

When you guys say "flaring", are you using compression fittings and not brazing the line sets in? I'm also looking for a system for my new shop, but I've always brazed.
I had looked at the diy, but what you posted is half the price.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Not compression, but real flared fittings. That is the standard for mini splits.

I've done two and had no issues. First one I had a local company vacuum, pressure test etc. $100.

second was all DIY. Vacuumed, let it set for a while and opened the valves. Yes, skipped pressure test with N2, but got lucky.

The indoor blower motor died in about a week. I messaged the seller (High Seer via Ebay). they sent a new motor. Interesting thing about them is the instructions are clearly DIY, not pro. Wording, lack of pressure test and no mention of a digital gauge lead me to believe they expected self install to be the norm. Even though they state that the warranty is not valid unless pro installation is done, they simply provided parts knowing that I had installed it.

 

[steve308]

ACWholesalers
8303 NW 27th Street, Suite 21
Doral FL 33122

ACWholesalers.com I purchased my unit from them probably going on 5 years now (LG Inverter) Easy to deal with. Very professional.

 

[priobe]

Thanks for all the recommendations.... question on install for those that have cider block construction. How did you bore a 2.5" hole to run the lines. I was thinking of drilling a few holes in a circle pattern and punching through.

 

[Evilcactuar]

I split a block the other day doing that, thankfully it wasn't part of a wall yet. If you want to go that route, i'd drill alot of holes to make sure it breaks where you want.

 

[cork]

Ordered my Mr. Cool from Home Depot. I waited until I had a 10% off coupon. Love it so far, anxious to see how well it heats this winter.

 

[nadogail]

Ordered my Mr. Cool from Home Depot. I waited until I had a 10% off coupon. Love it so far, anxious to see how well it heats this winter.

Some of us don't have to wait for a10% off coupon, our US Veteran ID is recognized for the discount.

 

[electroman187]

Don't count out Amazon. I just bought a 2 ton DuctlessAire with lineset and everything for $1299. That's over $200 cheaper than Home Depot. Don't forget to check with your utility for rebates. I'll be getting back $800.

 

[tallfreak]

I just bought 2 2 ton 17 seer senville units from senvilles ebay store. They have them listed at $1149 i believe. I made an offer for $950 and they accepted. Pre charged condensing unit. 16ft lines are already flared. Comes with everything needed except electrical from the panel. I bought a cheap but highly rated vacuum pump and guage set on Amazon. I plan on installing this weekend.

Senville was highly rated and I had a few questions before my purchase and their customer service had a fast response. 5 year warranty.

I'll let you know how it goes this weekend.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[inphx]

ACWholesalers
8303 NW 27th Street, Suite 21
Doral FL 33122

ACWholesalers.com I purchased my unit from them probably going on 5 years now (LG Inverter) Easy to deal with. Very professional.

Ditto - good experience on several orders and communicative/helpful on a missing part.

 

[priobe]

Thank you looks like a have a couple to choose from. They are right in my area.

I’m hoping this too can be answered in this thread or if I should open another.

Does it matter the location of the inside unit? Would it be best to install in the middle of the wall or it doesn’t matter? One concern is the drain tube would run horizontal making it less than ideal for drainage. Or am I incorrect on this?

 

[tallfreak]

Thank you looks like a have a couple to choose from. They are right in my area.

I’m hoping this too can be answered in this thread or if I should open another.

Does it matter the location of the inside unit? Would it be best to install in the middle of the wall or it doesn’t matter? One concern is the drain tube would run horizontal making it less than ideal for drainage. Or am I incorrect on this?

Are you thinking about not mounting it on an outside wall? You want to make sure there is enough drop to drain well. If it starts to build up slime and mildew from not draining it will eventually clog.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[priobe]

No does it matter if the inside unit is placed in a corner of a garage insides of in the center of the wall. Concern if in the corner it will not cool the area eventually.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Garage, Miami Fl., 12 ft ceilings, No insulation (Block construction)... looking to cool down the area when the door opens / hot car enters area.

What do you recommend?

Insulate the roof/ceiling !

 

[driftpin]

Parker Davis is Highseer. My friend is a HVAC master license holder 40+years. We went to the Parker Davis warehouse in Doral (Miami) & picked up a unit for my 1-car. My HVAC friend was impressed with the warehouse & business office & the quality of the unit. He also got the trade discount.

 

[priobe]

Insulate the roof/ceiling !

Roof is insulated. Main thing is garage door. I will be insulating that as well.

 

[jjrbus]

Thanks for all the recommendations.... question on install for those that have cider block construction. How did you bore a 2.5" hole to run the lines. I was thinking of drilling a few holes in a circle pattern and punching through.

I used a long 1/4 inch masonary bit and a cheap hole saw set from Harbor frieght, drilled the large hole on both sides using the 1/4 inch for pilot.

In hindsight on my Daikins with a masonary wall the connectors end up very close to the wall. Doing again I would run the lineset across the unit, and out the other side. Putting the joints inside in an easy to reach area.

 

[thertel]

Wrong spot...

 

[motterpaul]

Not compression, but real flared fittings. That is the standard for mini splits.

I've done two and had no issues. First one I had a local company vacuum, pressure test etc. $100.

second was all DIY. Vacuumed, let it set for a while and opened the valves. Yes, skipped pressure test with N2, but got lucky.

The indoor blower motor died in about a week. I messaged the seller (High Seer via Ebay). they sent a new motor. Interesting thing about them is the instructions are clearly DIY, not pro. Wording, lack of pressure test and no mention of a digital gauge lead me to believe they expected self install to be the norm. Even though they state that the warranty is not valid unless pro installation is done, they simply provided parts knowing that I had installed it.

As I said, I had same experience with HighSeer. They allow you to register the units online for the warranty, and as long as you can provide the correct information that seems to be all they need. They sent me spare parts without even asking if I had registered mine (I don't remember if I did at the time 2016).

 

[motterpaul]

I just bought 2 2 ton 17 seer senville units from senvilles ebay store. They have them listed at $1149 i believe. I made an offer for $950 and they accepted. Pre charged condensing unit. 16ft lines are already flared. Comes with everything needed except electrical from the panel. I bought a cheap but highly rated vacuum pump and guage set on Amazon. I plan on installing this weekend.

Senville was highly rated and I had a few questions before my purchase and their customer service had a fast response. 5 year warranty.

I'll let you know how it goes this weekend.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I have seen warnings about using the factory flares. Inspect them carefully first. Most installers recommend that you do a new flare. Look on youtube for examples of bad factory flares.

 

[tallfreak]

I have seen warnings about using the factory flares. Inspect them carefully first. Most installers recommend that you do a new flare. Look on youtube for examples of bad factory flares.

I inspected them. They look great. I just got my first one installed. Pulled about a 5 minute vacuum just to see it. Its holding. I'll pull it again at least 30 minutes tomorrow while I'm connecting the electrical.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Tduby]

Terry, how big is the area your are cooling. I was thinking of using a 2 ton for 400 sq feet, but maybe 1.5 maybe better sized?

How many lights do you have for your “tomatoes” that you need that much AC

 

[priobe]

I hope I can explain this ok... I’m looking to install a mini split on my center interior wall, let’s call this the north wall. I will need to run the lines and drain tube to the west wall to exit the garage.
My question is since the drain line will be about 10 feet before exiting the garage, will this be satisfactory as long as I put a very slight slop to the drain line?

 

[tallfreak]

I hope I can explain this ok... I’m looking to install a mini split on my center interior wall, let’s call this the north wall. I will need to run the lines and drain tube to the west wall to exit the garage.
My question is since the drain line will be about 10 feet before exiting the garage, will this be satisfactory as long as I put a very slight slop to the drain line?

I think it should be ok. Just make sure it has no high points to trap water.

I finished installing my 2 senville 24k btu minis this weekend. I was surprised at how much water was coming out of the drain. I ran the first one while I installed the second and just out of curiosity put a 5 gallon bucket under the drain. It collected about 4 gallons in 5 hours. I have a 40x60x12 with a single 12x12 rud and 2 inch closed cell foam walls and roof. It collected another 3 gallons running the next day. Im sure now that both are running and the shop is sufficiently cooled and dry it has slowed down.

I am super impressed with the quality of these units. Both the inside and outside units are very quiet. I turned them both to 62 degrees for a couple of hours and it got down to about 68.



Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk