Friedrich Ptac vs Mitsubishi mini split

[wendlwacker]

Looking to add thermostatically controlled heat and A/C to my garage. I talked to a local supply house that we do some business with. The "calculator" I used sized me at an 18000 btu unit. The garage is pretty well insulated and holds temp. It is 700 square feet. I have been heating it with a 230 volt 5kw "bullet style" heater. It does a good job of bringing it up in temperature from near freezing when I kick it on high. I live in Iowa so it does get cold.

I priced an $18000 btu Mitsubishi mini split with the low ambient temperature kit and Line set as well as the condenser hangar and it comes out at $3500

Then we talked about a Friedrich ptec. These are the units you see in hotel rooms. The largest they can get me is a 14000 btu (pdh15k5sg) this has the heat pump as well as a 5kw backup heater. It soles out at $1000.

http://http://www.sylvane.com/friedrich-ptac-pdh15k5sf-air-conditioner.html

I'm thinking install one of the ptec units and if it doesn't keep up I can put in a second unit and still be money ahead. Ya I'm going to loose some efficiency but with the price difference that is quiet a few years to payback. Anyone think I will regret this? Ya it doesn't look as good as a split but the money is rough.

 

[Ohmthis]

You can do a google search of PTAC and garage journal and find a lot of info. Here's my take, ptacs are inefficient, loud, don't filter well, and are really just throw away appliances. If you don't want to spring for the higher end mini splits, look at some of the more budget friendly ones. If you need two ptacs at $2000 total, plus framing, and electrical to get the size you need. You could get an friendlier priced mini for the same or cheaper. Mini splits aren't always the answer either though. You only asked about those two. You could look into a heat pump style window unit too. They make a package unit that has both the heat and air in one unit. You can run some simple duct work into your shop. Research all avenues before funneling down to just two. Good luck.

 

[justinjoyal]

http://www.comfortup.com/gree-terra...-pump-system-230-v-includes-a-15-line-set-kit

I've installed plenty of those with no call-backs. Solid unit, fair price. Much better than a PTAC or two!

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Uff... I hate PTACs.

Tommy

 

[theoldwizard1]

Here's my take, ptacs are inefficient, loud, don't filter well, and are really just throw away appliances.

There is a HUGE difference in efficiency between those 2 unit, especially during cold weather operation. Depending o how many hours per month you plan on heat/cooling, it might pay back in 5 years !

Mitsubishi is "top of the line", while Friedrich is sort of in the middle.

 

[theoldwizard1]

http://www.comfortup.com/gree-terra...-pump-system-230-v-includes-a-15-line-set-kit

I've installed plenty of those with no call-backs. Solid unit, fair price. Much better than a PTAC or two!

Is Gree Chinese or Korean ? Had any issues getting parts ?

 

[wendlwacker]

http://www.comfortup.com/gree-terra...-pump-system-230-v-includes-a-15-line-set-kit

I've installed plenty of those with no call-backs. Solid unit, fair price. Much better than a PTAC or two!

But with cold weather around here without that having a low ambient kit it won't keep heating when it gets cold.... That's the one advantage of the ptac it seems

 

[Citation]

I recently installed a Pioneer brand (not the Japanese Pioneer brand, website is HighSEER). These units are for sale on Amazon. I bought a 12000btu unit for about $800. Sadly I should have gone for the 18000 BTU unit but that isn't the company's fault. Anyway, I can't say about long term since I've only had the system for a year. But for $800 I would be happy to take the risk again. I haven't checked for parts and I wouldn't be surprised if the parts are hard to get. Then again, do I think I will need parts? No idea.
Still, worth a look.

 

[wendlwacker]

How's the heating when it's 15 degrees?

 

[justinjoyal]

Is Gree Chinese or Korean ? Had any issues getting parts ?

Chinese, but I believe they have factories in Korea.

They're one of the main A/C makers worldwide.

But with cold weather around here without that having a low ambient kit it won't keep heating when it gets cold.... That's the one advantage of the ptac it seems

There is a more expensive model (Crown) that provides 80% output at -22F. And the btu output is actually higher than what the unit's sold for.

Exactly what I have at home (12kbtu) since last year and it totally outperforms the Fujitsu I had before. And here in Quebec the warranty is 10 years parts and labor!