Mini-Split Install Question

[duluthUPLAND]

This may be a bit of a shot in the dark on GJ but trying anyways. I'm looking for recommendations and/or advice on finding an HVAC person to assist with/complete the install of a Mr Cool mini split for my garage.

I'm in Duluth, Minnesota.

I've got three quotes from various heating/cooling outfits and they all want to sell me Fujitsu or LG mini splits and charge $6-7k for it. I get it but...

Many people seem to be happy with the Mr Cool units. I could go with the DIY unit and probably figure that out on my own or with the help of a friend, but if I can get the Olympus Hyper Heat version (currently on sale) installed that would be better for my climate. I think I've settled on backing up the mini split with a pellet stove as I want to be able to use the garage year round as an office and I don't want to worry about the mini split not being able to keep up in subzero temps when we inevitably get them.



With that in mind, perhaps the DIY unit will be what I have to go with in conjunction with the pellet stove, but does anyone have any recommendations on a specific person in my area or for finding someone that can assist with the install for less than $5k????

 

[SALIV8]

a competent handy man could get everything installed probably in a couple days. Then have a hvac contractor/tech do the rest.

I did the whole install of my systems myself with the help of my dad and sometimes the wife. Depending on your situation you may be able to get most of the work done yourself.

 

[Kaizen]

however it ends up report back on the performance. I have a diy mr cool about 4 years old and it ***** on heating. below 45 and not worth it. That hyper heat is listing negative temps F that it works on. I can tell you the ac is unreal. and cheap to run.

 

[duluthUPLAND]

however it ends up report back on the performance. I have a diy mr cool about 4 years old and it ***** on heating. below 45 and not worth it. That hyper heat is listing negative temps F that it works on. I can tell you the ac is unreal. and cheap to run.

Appreciate your feedback on the unit. I'm starting to think I may be barking up the wrong tree even looking at mini splits where I live.

Heating is way more of a priority and AC is not a requirement living here. I'd simply like to control humidity levels and maintain comfortable conditions in the garage as an every-day office. But perhaps there are simpler ways to accomplish that if my heating needs are met with a pellet stove.

 

[GRivera]

however it ends up report back on the performance. I have a diy mr cool about 4 years old and it ***** on heating. below 45 and not worth it. That hyper heat is listing negative temps F that it works on. I can tell you the ac is unreal. and cheap to run.

I installed a Mr Cool DIY 36K unit in my pole barn in January '20 and set heat at minimum setting of 62 degrees - maintained it ok. Does performance degrade over time?

 

[Kaizen]

Appreciate your feedback on the unit. I'm starting to think I may be barking up the wrong tree even looking at mini splits where I live.

Heating is way more of a priority and AC is not a requirement living here. I'd simply like to control humidity levels and maintain comfortable conditions in the garage as an every-day office. But perhaps there are simpler ways to accomplish that if my heating needs are met with a pellet stove.

No way. Minisplit imo is the cheapest heat besides free wood you cut and split yourself. Newer units are different design then this one so better at heating. People that have 100 percent solar use minisplit for heating in cold areas like Vermont. Spend time air sealing and doing good insulation. The dry mode on these things is incredible. In sticky nights this thing looks like someone left the faucet running.


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[Kaizen]

I installed a Mr Cool DIY 36K unit in my pole barn in January '20 and set heat at minimum setting of 62 degrees - maintained it ok. Does performance degrade over time?

No. I have a different design. But climate is important. You In Baltimore compared to me in New Hampshire is like you to Florida. Op has similar climate to me which is why I was interested.
They are a pain to clean and take hours but performance is greatly affected if neglected.


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[duluthUPLAND]

No way. Minisplit imo is the cheapest heat besides free wood you cut and split yourself. Newer units are different design then this one so better at heating. People that have 100 percent solar use minisplit for heating in cold areas like Vermont. Spend time air sealing and doing good insulation. The dry mode on these things is incredible. In sticky nights this thing looks like someone left the faucet running.

Cool. I think I'm pretty much sold on spray foaming the garage so that would help. I would like to try the hyper heat Mr Cool to see what it can do. If effective it would be a great solution for my set-up.

 

[dcg9381]

Even in MN or MI there are HVAC contractors. Heat pumps are HVAC units.
You'll typically need to find a contractor "on the side" - or something like that. Craigslist, etc - but as always, you're probably taking a risk... Down here this is a $100-$200 job if you've run the lines and everything is ready.

 

[Raisedonadeere]

I can vouch for Mr Cool hyper heat. I have never been at zero but close and in comparison to standard heat pump, the hyper heat is amazing. The heat out put doesn’t start that steep decline as temps drop below 30 like most experience.

I have had mine for two winters now and continue to be amazed, having had heat pumps since 1973, and each new one performed better but the hyper heat was not an incremental improvement. Whole new ball game. No longer need backup heat except for electrical outages.

Two critical things on the install above and beyond average handyman stuff. Need to master the flaring of the copper refrigerant lines and you need a good vacuum pump and follow the simple steps correctly.

I did my own install on two units, one a ceiling cassett and a bedroom wall mount.

 

[duluthUPLAND]

I can vouch for Mr Cool hyper heat. I have never been at zero but close and in comparison to standard heat pump, the hyper heat is amazing. The heat out put doesnÂ’t start that steep decline as temps drop below 30 like most experience.

I have had mine for two winters now and continue to be amazed, having had heat pumps since 1973, and each new one performed better but the hyper heat was not an incremental improvement. Whole new ball game. No longer need backup heat except for electrical outages.

Two critical things on the install above and beyond average handyman stuff. Need to master the flaring of the copper refrigerant lines and you need a good vacuum pump and follow the simple steps correctly.

I did my own install on two units, one a ceiling cassette and a bedroom wall mount.

Great perspective, thank you! I recently discovered these units from Senville as well which are rated to -22 F for heating and many reviews speak to their capability.

I'm not even opposed to a back-up source, but if on of these hyper heat units could handle the majority of my needs that would be ideal. I think I may have found the right person to help me complete the install as well.

 

[yeldogt]

You need to do a proper heat load on the building and understand that operating at a given temp is not the same as providing full output at a given temp.

Spray foam with your low temps is the way to go -- spend more up front to make the building efficient and you will never regret it.

Make sure you check out the specifications .... the last I looked the Mitsubishi hyper-heat was fully rated down to -5 and zero depending on model. -22 is cold ... My carrier split is 2 degrees .. and I'm still getting very hot air .. same with the Mitsubishi.

I have no experience with running them in sub zero weather for weeks ... having a very cold week in the mid-atlantic is possible ... but, not common ... and never under zero.

As the units drop off they are still producing heat -- and it's going to be less expensive vs resistance electric -- but the BTU output has to match the needs. This will also throw off any sizing for AC in the warmer months.

Sometimes having a second source is not a bad idea ... I use propane in my current one. Years ago I had a wood stove in my outbuilding.. It's all about adding up the fuel costs.

Around me the pellet stoves get into propane cost area as the fuel is expensive when cold and gets in short supply. We have expensive electric ... it's all about fuel cost

 

[duluthUPLAND]

FYI for anyone interested... I contacted both MR Cool and Senville directly about the specs on the "hyper heat" models. Here's what they said:

Mr Cool Olympus Hyper Heat: Around 5 degrees they will be at 80% capacity and around -15 degrees they will shut off.

Senville AURA: At -22F the unit will be operating at approximately 80% efficiency.

Not exactly apples to apples comparison but the Senville clearly seems the like the better choice for my application.

 

[doughpat]

IMHO the 120V "DIY-friendly" kits are not worth it. I installed the Mitsubishi hyper heat unit myself and had an HVAC guy come to do the lineset flaring. I even did the vacuuming of the lineset -- you can get a decent pump for $100 on Amazon.

True, no warranty....but if warranties are that big of a deal I have bad news for you....