Best value on mini split brand?

[TimberMan]

I will be in need of a 18K or 24K mini split for the barn in central NC and need to hurry up and pick one so i can rough it in. There looks to be quite a price spread between brands like Mr. Cool and Mitsubishi and I'm sure there are ones in the middle as well.

For a garage / shop with no plumbing to have to protect from freeze does it make any sense to get a high-end mini or should I just find something cheap? besides Mr. Cool, Pioneer and cost-way, which other brands should I look at?

Thanks!

 

[danski0224]

You could get something super cheap... or something expensive.

You could put BTU numbers on a dart board and hope to get lucky, or do a load calculation.

Lots of choices.

 

[chinboys]

The best deals are the ones given to the HVAC companies from distributors and equipment suppliers in that area that the particular manufacturer is in.
Unless you are a registered HVAC company to such, you aren't going to get the deals but mark ups.
The good thing is having spare or replacement part availibility as well as technical assistance.

 

[TimberMan]

The best deals are the ones given to the HVAC companies from distributors and equipment suppliers in that area that the particular manufacturer is in.
Unless you are a registered HVAC company to such, you aren't going to get the deals but mark ups.
The good thing is having spare or replacement part availibility as well as technical assistance.

That is a good point. I need to find someone to do a bro deal for me.

 

[The Metric System]

For your application I recommend a low-end (possibly no-name) system, IMO the better features of a high-end one are wasted in a working/utility building.

Unless you're getting the high end-equipment brand doesn't really matter, the units are functionally interchangeable.

I need to find someone to do a bro deal for me.

Low-end minisplits are so inexpensive and the industry is so set up for direct-to-consumer sales that this isn't really how it works.

I've been in an adjacent industry for ~25 years and have contacts at OEMs and distributors etc, and was still able to find the best deal through Costway.

I also recommend you check the Lowes and Home Depot sites, I found a few good-looking deals there as well.

 

[Skellyii]

A lot depends on whether you are self-installing or are contracting it out.

A Mr Cool is NOT a good deal if you're hiring a professional to do the install, they are designed for the DIYer, and the price reflects that.

Whether or not you need a "high end" heating unit depends on where you are located, which you have neglected to mention.

 

[The Metric System]

Whether or not you need a "high end" heating unit depends on where you are located, which you have neglected to mention.

I think this is sufficient to confirm that he doesn't need top-of-the-line heating performance:

for the barn in central NC

 

[TimberMan]

A lot depends on whether you are self-installing or are contracting it out.

A Mr Cool is NOT a good deal if you're hiring a professional to do the install, they are designed for the DIYer, and the price reflects that.

Whether or not you need a "high end" heating unit depends on where you are located, which you have neglected to mention.

I stated my location as central NC

 

[housewolf]

The best deals are the ones given to the HVAC companies from distributors and equipment suppliers in that area that the particular manufacturer is in.
Unless you are a registered HVAC company to such, you aren't going to get the deals but mark ups.
The good thing is having spare or replacement part availibility as well as technical assistance.

I bought both mine through local wholesalers. A Mits & a Daiken. The Mits is a much nicer unit, holds the temp better, whisper quiet, more efficient, etc.. it’s just a higher quality piece of eqt. The Daiken was 1/3 the cost, and it’s obviously a few tiers lower. Daiken is somewhat local so it’s reasonable to assume some of that is shipping. It sounds like a rock grinder on heat mode. Doesn’t hold the set temp as well but it does suit my needs. I have the Mits in a finished room over garage/guesthouse so it does service a living area. The Daiken is in my shop. If I had it to do over again, I think I would have saved some $$ and used Daiken for both. Online “wholesalers” have a tremendous mark-up. I wouldn’t be anxious to, but I could make a few bucks furnishing AND installing installing Daiken units for what they sell for online.

IME; I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a more cost effective unit if you don’t need the features of a higher priced one.

 

[Torque&Recoil]

Get a mitsubishi.

Or, ... you know. I have two other major brand units, One of which I F'd with, for you can't inagine how many days. Finally glued the MF together to stop a leak. Broken from shipment?? IDK. Just britle plastic, leaking down the wall. You aren't going to listen, so good luck with the cheap stuff. Sorry... yes, I am significanly annoyed.

 

[danski0224]

You aren't going to listen

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Get a mitsubishi.

Or, ... you know. I have two other major brand units, One of which I F'd with, for you can't inagine how many days. Finally glued the MF together to stop a leak. Broken from shipment?? IDK. Just britle plastic, leaking down the wall. You aren't going to listen, so good luck with the cheap stuff. Sorry... yes, I am significanly annoyed.

Hey!…….. Stop the "sugarcoating" and tell us exactly how you feel.

BTW! Mitsubishi is a great choice and parts are readily available………. You get what you pay for on these mini splits, so do your homework and choose wisely.

 

[KenC]

Long story short, I've had more than one brand, major player and Pioneer. I needed an additional unit. Bought another PIoneer.

No matter what brand you buy, now is a good time to get a deal on an R410A unit as lots of distributors are clearing them out.

Why Pioneer? In my case, poor service from others, no parts etc. Pioneer has parts, no hassle supporting owner installed units good prices.

 

[inphx]

A few times i bought from https://www.acwholesalers.com/ free delivery. LG has been fine for me but there are other options. Its also handy to get line sets to your needs.

 

[loganb]

My Mr. Cool DIY 18k unit is coming up on 4 yrs old. 0 issues, only regret is not doing it sooner. Full DIY install...if electric service is already where it needs to be it's a couple hours for a competent person who has watched a video or two to get it running

 

[racecougar]

As with any similar purchase (many variables), a spreadsheet helps here. This is one I threw together years ago when deciding on which mini-split to buy for my shop.

 

[Notgrownup]

My Blueridge from Alpine homeair has been installed for 8 years I believe and it runs 24/7. 365 in my shop. Pioneer is a bit cheaper but I went with the better rated Blueridge at the time. Mine is a 18 Seer 18000 btu