mini split heat pump

[onlyn8v]

So, when I built my new garage the town made me sign a covenant saying there could be no heat installed. They are worried about apartments

But, they didnt say no a/c.

While I know electric heating isnt the most cost effective, it might be my only choice

720 sq.ft ceiling height 15'.

Insulated walls at R15, Garage doors at R19.

Im in NY, so I think that its climate zone #4.

What do you think? Im not too keen on using the bullet heater anymore.

 

[dcg9381]

I think it'll work for moderately cold days, say above 25 degrees or so (depending on unit). If you're sizing for heat, make sure you calculate the loss of efficiency that happens with heat pumps as the temperature drops - BTUs can easily be cut in half.

 

[Lonnies Performance]

My Daikin mini-split heat pumps are rated down to 5 deg F, but they lose a lot of output as it gets colder.

34,088 BTU @ 47 deg
22,400 BTU @ 17 deg
15,550 BTU @ 5 deg

 

[dsimatt]

My Mitsubishi hyper heat would do that easily but not the cheapest option. You're in a tough spot but mini split seems like the safest go around for permanent heat.

 

[Notgrownup]

I just spoke to a local HVAC and he wanted $3000 for a 12000 btu Mitsubishi..

 

[onlyn8v]

I wonder if I install a Daikin and just leave it on a really low temp setting for the whole winter, and turn up when I need it...

 

[jkeyser14]

I wonder if I install a Daikin and just leave it on a really low temp setting for the whole winter, and turn up when I need it...

That's exactly what I do. I have it set to 55 deg when I am not using the garage and bump it up if I am working out there for a few hours.

 

[PoorOwner]

I wonder if I install a Daikin and just leave it on a really low temp setting for the whole winter, and turn up when I need it...

The lowest you can set on a daikin is 50F

 

[onlyn8v]

The lowest you can set on a daikin is 50F

Grew up working on cars in a driveway. Thats a sauna for me... I guess I could just turn it off and give it time to warm up when I need it maybe.

 

[dcg9381]

I just spoke to a local HVAC and he wanted $3000 for a 12000 btu Mitsubishi..

That's about right. A 200%+ mark up on the price of the equipment.
Dunno what your situation is, but installed 2 Daikin's myself (2 x 24k). 3 special tools needed:
1) Vac pump
2) Torque wrench
3) Crows foot set

I've never done HVAC before. Wasn't a big deal.
Total cost on mine - AC, lines, all of it - $2500.

 

[jjrbus]

DIY'ed 3 Daikins, did a lot of research, it is reported that most mini failures are due to improper installation. Also found most of the videos for installation are very poor at best.

I spent about $600 on tools, a Daikin mini split installation tool kit for $300, CPS micron gauge $100. Nitrogen tank and gauge for another $200, already had a vacuum pump!

I am in FL so do not get much cold weather, but due to the old heat element did not use the heat because you could hear the meter spinning!

I had just had surgery when the cold snap hit and was miserable enough without being cold so used the Daikins everyday for a couple weeks. I am shocked by how small my electric bill is. Again not frigid tempatures, but with the old central heat the electric bill would have been at least $125 higher!

These are not like gas or wood heat, they will not bring the temp up quickly but need to be left on. My opinion anyway and I have no idea how they will perform in colder temperatures.

 

[justinjoyal]

That's about right. A 200%+ mark up on the price of the equipment.

Dunno what your situation is, but installed 2 Daikin's myself (2 x 24k). 3 special tools needed:

1) Vac pump

2) Torque wrench

3) Crows foot set



I've never done HVAC before. Wasn't a big deal.

Total cost on mine - AC, lines, all of it - $2500.

Entry level units, uncertain warranty. Proper installation? Time will tell if you got a good deal !

 

[Notgrownup]

I’m gonna go with a Blue ridge 18000 btu 17Seer...from Alpine home air, all in for about $1200.

 

[danb35]

Entry level units, uncertain warranty.

Not "uncertain warranty", no warranty--AFAIK, only MrCool (and then only in their DIY series) will cover their units when not installed by a HVAC pro. OTOH, I could buy and install four Pioneer 12k 22 SEER units for the quoted cost of that Mitsubishi. And "proper installation" isn't rocket surgery.

 

[bigdav160]

Not "uncertain warranty", no warranty--AFAIK, only MrCool (and then only in their DIY series) will cover their units when not installed by a HVAC pro. OTOH, I could buy and install four Pioneer 12k 22 SEER units for the quoted cost of that Mitsubishi. And "proper installation" isn't rocket surgery.

Pretty dang simple really.

Self installed mine ten years ago. It still works great.

 

[jjrbus]

I should add that NO, NONE, NADA, ZIP warranty!

I do not know why that is such an issue. I have lots of things around my house I bought without a warranty. I have a Ford Ranger I gave $11,000 for no warranty, actually I bought if from an estate so no recourse at all as the owner was dead.

From what I read warranty repairs seem to be a big profit maker for some company's.

 

[justinjoyal]

And "proper installation" isn't rocket surgery.

No it's not. But most DIY installs I've seen were horrible, which is why we were called for service I guess...

From what I read warranty repairs seem to be a big profit maker for some company's.

Not at all. I hate warranty calls. We lose money on most of them. But then again we are not looking to screw our customers with crazy call fees and stuff...

 

[dsimatt]

No it's not. But most DIY installs I've seen were horrible, which is why we were called for service I guess...



Not at all. I hate warranty calls. We lose money on most of them. But then again we are not looking to screw our customers with crazy call fees and stuff...

When I chose to go with Mitsubishi it was a no brainer to install with dealer with the complexity of where it got put plus the full warranty to protect my investment.

On the other hand if I was putting one in my garage which would be a super simple install I'd probably do it myself.

 

[jjrbus]

No it's not. But most DIY installs I've seen were horrible, which is why we were called for service I guess...



Not at all. I hate warranty calls. We lose money on most of them. But then again we are not looking to screw our customers with crazy call fees and stuff...

That is why I said some companys! Far too many smash and grab types in HVAC.

 

[justinjoyal]

I get why people would DIY it and don’t blame them. But sometimes it just doesnt work out..

 

[aunsafe2015]

I get why people would DIY it and don’t blame them. But sometimes it just doesnt work out..

Fwiw, if every time I hired an HVAC guy, I knew they would be as competent as you seem to be, I would never consider DIYing an HVAC project.

Problem is that it's really, really hard to find a competent HVAC company. The way it works everywhere I've ever lived is the sales guy is never even involved in the installation. So the sales guy might be great and give good answers to every question. Installation day comes and some other guy shows up and doesn't even have a micron gauge for his vacuum pump. Lol.

Same with techs. Even with extremely highly rated companies, a different tech comes every time. Some seem to know what they are doing. Others don't. Luck of the draw. I feel like I'm playing the lottery.

 

[jjrbus]

Don't even think of DIY, you will screw it up. Hire a pro they cautioned!

Now the poor guy has to fight with the GC and the AC installer.

 

[justinjoyal]

That’s sad... i cant believe someone would do that..

 

[Ohmthis]

It’s lazy is what it is. The little bit of extra time to do that part right is minimal. It makes you wonder how the rest of the install went???

 

[KenC]

Not "uncertain warranty", no warranty--AFAIK, only MrCool (and then only in their DIY series) will cover their units when not installed by a HVAC pro. OTOH, I could buy and install four Pioneer 12k 22 SEER units for the quoted cost of that Mitsubishi. And "proper installation" isn't rocket surgery.

I installed a Pioneer 12k unit a few months ago. They also don't officially warrant self-installs as most don't, But, the a week or so after startup,it wasn't cooling. Looked at the code and it indicated a blower speed issue. The commanded speed didn't match the actual. It wasn't turning. I called the seller and they sent me a new blower motor, no questions asked.

funny thing too, even though they are crystal clear about the self-install/no warranty thing, the instructions are clearly written for a self-installation. No micron gauge, open gas valves briefly, shutoff and bubble check fittings, then reopen and install caps, no nitrogen check, etc.