Mini Split brands

[2slow95vert]

Ok, so I live in LI, NY and have recently gotten prices on having mini splits installed in my home. While price is always a factor, I'm also unsure of the quality differences between the brands. I've been quoted on Frierich, Mitsubishi, and Carrier units. One guy also said Fujitsu has gone down in quality the last few years. What has been your experiences? I think I may be in this home forever, so quality is important. Thanks for your help

 

[finn]

I have three Mitsubishi units.

Flawless so far.

 

[mike93lx]

This is going to be a ford vs chevy vs dodge. Very few people experience more than one brand, except the HVAC guys...

 

[yeldogt]

Individual or multi head ... mostly AC .. or will be using for heat as well?

Every year they get better. Fujitsu, at one time was at the top. From all accounts they did stumble a bit and for the past 5 years or so most agree Mitsubshi is the leader in the heat pump/ low temp race.

Back in the early 00's it was another maker -- they disappeared and I cannot even remember the name.


I did a 9k LG unit in a small writers cabin -- been fine for mostly AC since 2006 ... did a Fujitsu 18k HP in a Barn Loft back in 2012 that's worked very well.

My two recent multi-head units are Mitsubishi hypers .. the uprated head with the duel outlets and "eye" is superior. They work very will.

Daikin is the huge player world wide and is moving very aggressively in the USA -- I believe both the Carrier and Friedrich are rebranded/ joint ventures. Not that that's bad .. but, for like prices Mitsubishi would me my choice.

What's the cost difference?

 

[Ohmthis]

My take is to get quotes and pick the best contractor. My list from best down is Mitsubishi, Daikin, and Fujitsu. I know that Fujitsu has taken some grief, but they still have great costumer service. There are several levels and options with most manufacturers so an apple isn’t always an apple. One 12k btu unit is not the same as another’s, or even by the same manufacturer. Definitely do your research on what you are wanting and buying.

 

[2slow95vert]

For the contractor I plan to use, the cost difference between the Friedrich and Mitsubishi is 2k. I believe Mitsu may have a $400 rebate to close the gap though.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

This is going to be a ford vs chevy vs dodge. Very few people experience more than one brand, except the HVAC guys...

I don't think it's that simple, then again I'm in a field where I get to "experience" a lot of different versions of these things.
Gotta look at capacity charts, turndown ratio/minimum output, (to make sure it's suitable for the local weather i.e. will it work in the dead of winter) and actual OE. Frederick was listed but they don't make anything, they just brand it. Mitsu actually makes units.

one thing lacking to me nearly across the board is thermostat programming options. many lack an "auto" setting, and of those that do, even more lack the ability to set a nice wide deadband (e.g. heat 60F, cool 80F).

 

[theoldwizard1]

The big two are Mitsubishi and Fujitsu.

Many of the lesser brands just purchase all of their components from sub-suppliers and just assemble. I am certain Mitsubishi and Fujitsu purchase a lot of comonents, but I am also sure they are "built to spec" !

 

[kkenney]

2slow psegli also offers rebates,

https://www.psegliny.com/saveenergyandmoney/homeefficiency/homecomfort/centralairconditioning

https://www.psegliny.com/saveenergy...-/media/3C8A5CDCFBD94BC586E807D6948B1E85.ashx

 

[tyme2par4]

My parents have had a Daikin for probably 12 years or so without a single issue.
I installed a Mitsubishi in my previous house and loved it.
I currently have a 3 head Fujitsu and it works well, but I'd prefer the Mitsubishi.
The Mitsubishi I used to have seems to control the temperature better.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I currently have a 3 head Fujitsu and it works well, but I'd prefer the Mitsubishi.
The Mitsubishi I used to have seems to control the temperature better.

Segue - Multi-head mini-splits are less efficient than single head ones. Not many of us can really afford installing 3 full system !

 

[yeldogt]

Again?

What's the configuration ? single or multi?

Using for heat?

 

[white91formula]

I have 4 Mitsubishi's in my house. I have 2 condensers outside that run 2 units inside each. They are heat and AC and both functions work awesome and they will heat up or cool down the house quickly. They are ~3 years old at this point.

I do have 2 complaints about them however, which are probably just me being petty. The first is that everything runs off of a hand held remote and there is no reading for the actual temp in the house. The units use the scanning sensor on the bottom of the wall units to detect temperature. We have a wall thermometer on the other side of the room and it reads ~4ºF difference consistently from the set point.

The second is that there is no easy way to connect the units to home automation or wifi. This may have changed since my units are ~3 years old. Mitsubishi does sell a wifi adapter to use with their Kumo Cloud app, but they are ~$200 each. It would be nice to be able to control them remotely to turn the heat up or down or turn AC on or off, especially when we are away for the weekend or coming back from being away. Again just my preference.

 

[yeldogt]

I have 4 Mitsubishi's in my house. I have 2 condensers outside that run 2 units inside each. They are heat and AC and both functions work awesome and they will heat up or cool down the house quickly. They are ~3 years old at this point.

I do have 2 complaints about them however, which are probably just me being petty. The first is that everything runs off of a hand held remote and there is no reading for the actual temp in the house. The units use the scanning sensor on the bottom of the wall units to detect temperature. We have a wall thermometer on the other side of the room and it reads ~4ºF difference consistently from the set point.

The second is that there is no easy way to connect the units to home automation or wifi. This may have changed since my units are ~3 years old. Mitsubishi does sell a wifi adapter to use with their Kumo Cloud app, but they are ~$200 each. It would be nice to be able to control them remotely to turn the heat up or down or turn AC on or off, especially when we are away for the weekend or coming back from being away. Again just my preference.

They have "updated" controls. They also have a new app. But, it's still the same as what you have. If you want internet control -- each unit needs to have a module installed along with a wall thermostat .. Also, a hub connected to to internet. It uses Honeywell parts. It works .. but does not give all the controls that are in each of the remotes (for the wall units). The ceiling units and the ducted units don't work the same way and have to have the wall control --- they don't come with a remote. The module is over $200 .. and the thermostats over $100. I was over 1k for parts to get my 3 head unit set up.

They make a new ceiling unit -- so that may have better controls w/ remote. That's a lacking thing on mine. From what I understand the "eye" on the better wall units is only to determine occupancy .. not to determine temp.

Some units are able to handle a remote temp sensor -- but the basic theory for the wall units is for them to be running so as to always be sampling the room temp. Since they are up on a wall -- I think this can be part of the temp difference

 

[2slow95vert]

I will be installing 2 condensers with 3 heads each. Will be using them all as supplemental heat as well (my house heats very unevenly). I saw a friends Friedrich system today. Was very quiet and I will probably go this route. Also, thank you kkenney for posting the rebates.

 

[yeldogt]

I will be installing 2 condensers with 3 heads each. Will be using them all as supplemental heat as well (my house heats very unevenly). I saw a friends Friedrich system today. Was very quiet and I will probably go this route. Also, thank you kkenney for posting the rebates.

Well -- with three head units and a good mitsubishi installer for only 2k difference! Are they using the head with the eye ?

No question go with them ... no way I would go with anything else for $800 less a set.

The Mitsubishi units are silent .... noise it not an issue with any of them. It's quality ... also the hypers come with the pan heater.

 

[Jackfre]

Neither Friedrich nor Carrier make their equipment. They use assorted private label manuf product. Not suggesting that they are bad equipment, but you run into issues when the relationship breaks down. About 6 yrs ago, Friedrich private labeled Fujitsu units. Now they do someone elses. I was happy that they moved on as I was the Fujitsu Rep. Oh, and they did not get the top of the line products. Dealing with the private labeled product becomes dicey down the road. As a Manuf Rep in the industry I saw a lot of it and these relationships break down frequently.
Also, consider your lay-out in your home. Rather than simply going with two triples you might do what I did in my home. As TOW1 pointed out, the multis are not as efficient as the single headed units. I have two singles in the downstairs. One is 26 seer and 12 hspf and the other is 25 seer and 12 hspf. The unit in the bedrooms is the multi. It is 16 seer and I think 10.5 hspf. That one is 10 yrs old as is one of the singles. My point is that with mini-splits you have to look at how you live in the house. In my case I could get the single unit and the dual for almost the same price as the triple I intended to get. In the LR, DR and Kitchen area we run both summer and winter with the hi eff gear and run the multi only when we need it. I am a Fujistu guy and have been pleased with them. Of the 3 you suggest, I would stay with the only real major brand in the mix and that is Mitsubishi. You will get your moneys worth there for sure. The others? Maybe!

 

[B-Well]

My pops has had 2 Mitsubishi units in the guest house since 2007. He has had some repairs done over the years and one is not obsolete. The other is still running. The technology has changed immensely over the years making them more reliable.

I currently have a Mr Cool Oasis 18k unit in my garage and love it. Its been running in there for 8 months. Flawless operation and excellent warranty. I recommend Mr Cool and Ingrams Water and Air Equipment IWAE.com

 

[American Locomotive]

The HVAC guys I know say Mitsubishi is the leader, but they do command a premium.

Avoid LG. Garbage company, with garbage support and garbage product.

 

[SALIV8]

I have 2 multi head systems that heat and cool.

7 total indoor heads and 2 outdoor units.

They are ahri certified to 21 seer/hspf 11.0 and I have received significant rebates from ComEd for each system.

I am very happy with my energy efficient multi head systems that I installed.

 

[swaps]

Anyone have experience with Gree units?

 

[yeldogt]

Anyone have experience with Gree units?

Gree is a very large company -- they make many different quality levels. You see them all over Asia .....

They are in the USA .... but have strange distribution in the USA. Lack of dealers -- I did recently see a building in Brooklyn using them

 

[SALIV8]

My units are gree from a national distributer and Im happy with them.

 

[yeldogt]

My units are gree from a national distributer and Im happy with them.

The OP is doing multi head units -- and, having them installed. My thought there would be future service and parts. 5 years down the road what if you need a major part for one of the heads ... or a new head ... compressor. You want a good installer and be able to get the parts.

I travel often and mini splits are so common outside of the USA. I'm often in a hotel for an extend time and have asked managers about service and longevity ...... they are almost viewed as throw away. The cost is nothing like what we pay in the USA.

For single units I think it matters less ...unless heat is needed in cold areas.

 

[swaps]

Thanks. There is a small father/son company that quoted me a Gree unit. Cost was half of all other hvac companies in town.

 

[yeldogt]

Thanks. There is a small father/son company that quoted me a Gree unit. Cost was half of all other hvac companies in town.

It's important to read the specifications .. warranties. Some units don't work in cold weather as well ... no pan heater ...etc.

 

[SALIV8]

The OP is doing multi head units -- and, having them installed. My thought there would be future service and parts. 5 years down the road what if you need a major part for one of the heads ... or a new head ... compressor. You want a good installer and be able to get the parts.

I travel often and mini splits are so common outside of the USA. I'm often in a hotel for an extend time and have asked managers about service and longevity ...... they are almost viewed as throw away. The cost is nothing like what we pay in the USA.

For single units I think it matters less ...unless heat is needed in cold areas.

I will see how long my units last. I installed them myself except for the final line set evac and release. I used a local utility companies authorized vendor and received $800 in rebates.

I have a warranty and have been happy with the service from the dealer (comfortup.com) and also the manufacturers tech help which has been awesome.

I installed them about a year ago so have a long ways to go... But so far they are awesome and well worth the price and effort.

 

[yeldogt]

I will see how long my units last. I installed them myself except for the final line set evac and release. I used a local utility companies authorized vendor and received $800 in rebates.

I have a warranty and have been happy with the service from the dealer (comfortup.com) and also the manufacturers tech help which has been awesome.

I installed them about a year ago so have a long ways to go... But so far they are awesome and well worth the price and effort.

You were lucky. It's hard to get a qualified company to only do the final hookup and you even did it within a rebate situation ... great.

My hyper heats (Mitsubishi) have been great -- I had them installed. That makes a difference -- and the OP was only $800 per set lower for what is not the top of the line.

With the single setups the potential loss is less ... especially in the larger sizes when AC is really what you want. The really high SEER models tend to be the smaller sizes ..... so if you need a 24k single head the middle of the road product is about the same.

The Mr Cool DIY 24 is cheaper vs buying something else and having it hooked up .... unless you can get someone really cheap. And the SEER is about the same.

They don't match the top end units in performance or looks -- but you may not need that. I'm leaning towards one for my studio .. unless I decide to go another route for the house and match that.

 

[2slow95vert]

So my installer has offered me Gree as well. The difference between the Gree and Mitsubishi is $3850. This really has me thinking. For the difference I could almost have an entire new condenser and 3 heads installed again. Also Gree and Mitsubishi both have a 12 yr warranty. If I knew someone that had Gree that I could check out I would almost def go that way. I checked out a friends Frierich and it was damn near silent.

 

[Corvair]

This thread was helpful. I'm having a Mitsubishi installed in my new office in the addition at my home.

 

[jeepman1]

If it helps gree made the units for Trane until recently when Trane started teaming up with Mitsubishi. I have installed carrier units that were built by gree.

I have installed lots of gree's in several different models, some would only heat to 20° some down to -12° I have never had a problem with any of them ... Of the Trane branded grees we have installed (probably 100) we had one bad board and one bad compressor. On the unit with the bad compressor our distributor claimed it was the first one they had bad. Who knows if that is real... But it was what we were told.

My point is that gree makes there own units plus they make them to other MFR specs... It always makes me wonder how many rebranded units they make because most of the units I see look just like a gree except mitsu, LG, and Daikin...

Lastly, in the training I've been to, the tech reps always say the more efficient units come with better electrical filters (I hope I'm wording that correctly I'm not an engineer!) And that the more efficient the unit u can sell typically the more reliable it will be due to the variable speed motors getting cleaner power.

Hope this helps



Sent from my Moto Z3 Play using Tapatalk

 

[yeldogt]

The odd ball internet named units are all from china. Gree is a big player in China -- It would not surprise me if they made many of them. Who knows ?

My Mitsubishi three head hyper heat system was over 12k to install .... I could have spent less .. but it was all equipment cost making the difference.

Again -- if you want heat. Read the specifications when buying the various units from China --- they come in many flavors. Mitsubishi basically makes two lines -- the hyper heats are named so for a reason.

 

[SALIV8]

The odd ball internet named units are all from china. Gree is a big player in China -- It would not surprise me if they made many of them. Who knows ?

My Mitsubishi three head hyper heat system was over 12k to install .... I could have spent less .. but it was all equipment cost making the difference.

Again -- if you want heat. Read the specifications when buying the various units from China --- they come in many flavors. Mitsubishi basically makes two lines -- the hyper heats are named so for a reason.

That's big, big money for a 3 head system.

Gree offers competitive warranties across the board.

Personally I wouldn't spend 3x the price for a year or two longer warrantee that Mitsubishi offers. But to each his own.

 

[yeldogt]

That's big, big money for a 3 head system.

Gree offers competitive warranties across the board.

Personally I wouldn't spend 3x the price for a year or two longer warrantee that Mitsubishi offers. But to each his own.

When I did my first set I needed the hyper heat -- nothing matched the Mitsubishi.

You installed your own -- that's the difference. Price out the various equipment -- there is a difference in equipment cost and performance. When you install your own .. this risk is on you. The warranties on the internet equipment is in most cases non- existent.

When you price out installed equipment -- the install cost is static. Also -- the ability to get full labor warranties differs. When having them installed -- IMO ... it's more important to get the better equipment.

With a self install -- especially a single -- it's less important. Except where you need very high heating number .... that may eliminate some of the units.

With the cost of the 24k Mr. Cool from Costco -- the price and performance matches buying a basic unit and finding someone to connect the line set.

Will say this .... having used many types over the years ..... the Mitsubishi are the best.

 

[SALIV8]

The mitsubishis are known to be top of the line. But I don't like the way their indoor units are styled. Seem very basic for such an expensive unit.

I have a full warrantee on mine because a licensed tech did the final hookups, pump down, leak test and release. And I've spoken with the manufacturer regarding this as well. All in I'm more than a 3rd of what you paid including Me paying $90 per hour for a contractor to do the final connections- on 7 indoor units and 2 outdoor units. That added up quick.

I'm not knocking you for having a company install it, please don't take it that way. But not all of us can afford a Cadillac when a Ford Focus will do the same thing and last just about as long.

contracotrs are making a killing off installing these and I too got quotes that were all similar to yours for just a 2 or 3 indoor head project. They were laughably ridiculously expensive for what amounts to a moderately difficult project that most homeowners can successfully do on their own and save a lot of money.

 

[yeldogt]

The mitsubishis are known to be top of the line. But I don't like the way their indoor units are styled. Seem very basic for such an expensive unit.

I have a full warrantee on mine because a licensed tech did the final hookups, pump down, leak test and release. And I've spoken with the manufacturer regarding this as well. All in I'm more than a 3rd of what you paid including Me paying $90 per hour for a contractor to do the final connections- on 7 indoor units and 2 outdoor units. That added up quick.

I'm not knocking you for having a company install it, please don't take it that way. But not all of us can afford a Cadillac when a Ford Focus will do the same thing and last just about as long.

contracotrs are making a killing off installing these and I too got quotes that were all similar to yours for just a 2 or 3 indoor head project. They were laughably ridiculously expensive for what amounts to a moderately difficult project that most homeowners can successfully do on their own and save a lot of money.

I'm not disputing any of your thoughts ..... remember the OP's price difference between the units (one being Mitsubishi) is $800 per 3 head set. He is having them installed. I agree -- too much of a premium IMO for many of the installs ... especially with new construction where the lines can be inside walls -- fast instal.

I have actually found the Mitsubishi heads to be less intrusive vs many of the others -- they are wider .. but, they don't stick out as far as say the Fujitsu. My LG artcool is interesting .. but, not really any less noticeable. Less is more when it comes to hiding them -- any lights, displays or trim only calls attention. That said --- once they are installed for the most part you forget they are there.

The Mitsubishi heads with the eye and split outlet really work and can be a bonus in situation where people are siting and relaxing. If you read the trade publication all agree they lead in the firmware that makes them work -- especially the multi head units.

With the speed of change in the industry -- it seems that prices are falling .. and the differences between brands less. There is a lot of movement in the ceiling and other style heads to capture more of the new construction market.

With the technology available I'm surprised there are not more DIY -- or installer friendly units around. Heads and compressors with the sealed fitting -- precharged line sets in various sizes. Even flex hoses pre charged. We can make auto AC hoses and fittings last 20 years -- why not the same technology?

 

[jjrbus]

I did a DIY mini install and watched every video on the net, some people make great videos but have no idea what they are doing!

What I did notice is that the videos done by "AC pro's" were mostly working on Mitsubishi, Fujitsu and Daikin. I used Daikin as I do not need all the bells and whistles.

Only my observation and opinion and worth what you are paying for it!