Fixin to pull the trigger on a Gree mini split, questions

[dwegner]

I am fixing to order a 3 ton Gree mini split heat pump for my shop. It is 30x60 with spray foamed walls and 12 inched of blown in fiberglass above ceiling. I am looking for feedback on the reliability of the Gree unit and whether you have had any trouble. I will be installing this myself except to have an AC pro start up the unit and make sure I didn't screw up. Thanks for the feedback

 

[Jackfre]

Gree has become popular as its own brand and is offered by several of the American Unitary manuf. (lennox, etc), who don't have the know how or desire to make their own, as private label. I think it is a know how issue. I have not had hands-on with the Gree unit but their sales are certainly impressive.

 

[Trey T]

I heard Gree is a very popular brand in China, much more popular than the **** and korean brands.

I prefer Daikin, japanese manufacturer

 

[owenst7]

I heard Gree is a very popular brand in China, much more popular than the **** and korean brands.

I prefer Daikin, japanese manufacturer

Me too. Daikin makes excellent equipment.

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . now would be good time to say WHERE is your shop . . .
. . . . . as big difference trying to cool/heat 30x60 in Canada vs Phoenix !!

Update GJ Profile with City / State / Country.

 

[walrus]

I've never heard of it in the Northeast. Fujitsu, Daiken and Mitsubishi are the brands being sold around me

 

[RC_Dave]

I have Daiken in my shop, it is great.

 

[bazar01]

I have a 1-ton Blue Ridge heat pump, a rebranded Gree I believe, and it conditions my rec room for almost a year now. We'll see how long it lasts. For $495, I'll be happy if I get 5 years out of it.

 

[miketyler]

Sounds like you are off to a great start with the insulation. I have read nothing but good reviews on GREE. I would have bought their product or Pioneer had I not found the Mitsubishi setup on Craigslist.

And he said "fixin to pull the trigger".....sounds like a Texan to me

 

[dwegner]

Sorry for the slow replies it has been crazy at work. I am in Broken Arrow OK so I won't claim TX but I sound like them. I am leaning towards the Gree cause they supposedly are the largest manufacturer of mini splits in the world. I realize the make most of the " private label" mini splits out there like Trane and carrier and others. I got a quote for a 3 ton Mitsubishi from the
HVAC company that does our work a/c and they wanted $6800 installed. The Gree is $1800 plus whatever the labor is. The specs are real similar to the Mitsubishi and it uses a Mitsubishi compressor. This will be my main source of heat and cool.

 

[theoldwizard1]

With a 30x60 building I hope you have at least 2 air handler. If not, you are going to need some industrial sized fans !

 

[dwegner]

I have 3 of the 60 inch " home depot" fans that move a lot of air. the spec sheet on the mini split says it throws air 42 ft on hi. The head unit will be mounted where most of the work happens so long as the fans stir it up enough to move the heat and cool around i'll be fine.

 

[larry4406]

Related thread
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252759&page=2

http://www.alpinehomeair.com/viewproduct.cfm?productID=453067105

 

[justinjoyal]

Gree is becoming popular here in Quebec as well.

We have seen an improvement in quality and performance and they are backed by a 10-yr warranty over here.

I had a Friedrich (Fujitsu) 12k btu unit at home and recently replaced it with a Gree U-Crown (also 1-ton) and I'm impressed so far...

I would not be worried.

 

[joshgn]

whats the sidewall height? i dont think a 3 ton is enough...

Also look into Pioneer brand... highseer.com or on amazon. I installed one of their 2 ton units in my office, which is a 650 sq ft loft upstairs in my shop. Been a good unit.

 

[dwegner]

sidewall height is 13ft. thanks for all the replies. I'm not locked down to the gree but it matches all the specs I want for a killer price. I'm mainly concerned with life of unit and performance for the money. If it will live 2/3rds the life of a mitsu unit I would be happy. All the load calulators think 3 tons is plenty and the AC company that came out and quoted me a mitsu unit quoted a 3 ton as well.

 

[DanielC99]

Who are you thinking of ordering the Gree from? I originally ordered a Gree from ACWholesalers online. The unit I ordered was supposed to be in stock. I did not hear anything for a week so I called to see what was going on. My experience calling the company was not good. About 45 minutes on hold before anyone answered. When I told them I was checking on an order they put me on hold. After about 10 minutes I was disconnected. Called back and had the same wait for someone to answer. Told them what I was calling about and they wanted to put me on hold. Told that person I was disconnected the last time someone put me on hold. I was re-assured it would not happen again. 10 minutes later I was disconnected. I canceled the order. I then looked at a Pioneer from HighSeer. Before ordering I called the tech line to see what kind of phone support they had. After a few minutes someone from the tech dept answered. I told them I was just checking to see if they answered the phone. They passed so I ordered from them. I received the unit in about 5 days. 3 ton unit I installed myself. Very happy with the unit and with HighSeers support. I did have to call them a couple of times with questions on the installation. In my opinion excellent service.
This is my experience. Others may have had good experiences with ACWholesalers.
Just wanted to give you a heads up. I really wanted to go with Gree, but I'm very happy with Pioneer and HighSeers support.

 

[JamesW84]

I installed my 2 ton mitsubishi last fall after a ton of research. I got it at acwholesalers, who shipped promptly and it was packaged well...on its own pallet and shpped fedex with liftgate service. I researched sellers a lot also.

for a shop, i would prob consider a cheaper unit if it wont be used a lot. Mitsubishi ranks really well on reliability. If you install a mini split and it needs a service call in 2 yrs or whatever, it could eat into your savings.

Make sure they purge with nitrogen and pull a vacuum with a micron gauge.

 

[dwegner]

I was looking at acwholesalers.com yes. Thanks for the purchasing advise. The AC tech friend who is installing it likes the daiken but its higher than the Mitsubishi. I can't find anyone who has had a gree for any amount of time to give freedback on the ownership experience.

 

[miketyler]

Found these guys on a Google search - go to http://ecorenovator.org/forum/. These guys are doing all sorts of things with mini-splits and doing it with a green flare. I did a search on Gree in their "Geothermal and Heat Pump" section and got a lot of hits. Found a lot of good mini split application and product info. Check it out

http://ecorenovator.org/forum/googl...um/search.php?searchid=287820&ss=575j119473j4

 

[DanielC99]

I was looking at acwholesalers.com yes. Thanks for the purchasing advise. The AC tech friend who is installing it likes the daiken but its higher than the Mitsubishi. I can't find anyone who has had a gree for any amount of time to give freedback on the ownership experience.

If you do decide to order from acwholesalers, I would encourage you to give them a call first, and maybe order over the phone instead of online.

Maybe my experience was out of the ordinary. All reviews I have seen online about the company have been good.