Chaz
Well-known member
What exactly are they, and what are the advantages? I'm building a 500 sq ft apartment and it seems this may be the way to go.
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Mini splits
- Thread starter Chaz
- Start date
Warrenator
Well-known member
No expensive and inefficient ductwork. Easy install. The noisy part is outside. Efficient and economical.
Pro installers want a lot more to install them than the work reflects imo. I personally think they are looking at a lucrative trade becoming less so with the easy installs and less work required , so they are bad-mouthing them. My opinion only, formed after speaking to some pros and ending up installing my own mini-split myself. Works great, by the way.
Pro installers want a lot more to install them than the work reflects imo. I personally think they are looking at a lucrative trade becoming less so with the easy installs and less work required , so they are bad-mouthing them. My opinion only, formed after speaking to some pros and ending up installing my own mini-split myself. Works great, by the way.
DirtyMerty
Well-known member
I have 3 units in my 2500sq ft home, two on the top level and one on the middle level. A/C wise it keeps the whole house cool and dehumidified. Also, I use it for heating my house in the spring and fall. I really like them. If you know how the A/C works in your car, that is how they work. Refrigerant, lines, Evaporator, condenser.
ghnl
Well-known member
They are reversible heat pumps. In hot weather they take heat from inside and send it outside. In cold weather they take heat from outside and bring it inside. When in heat mode they lose efficiency when the outside air temps are below ~ 30F. Some have an added heat strip for those occasions (making it basically an electric heater).
I have two - one in the garage, one in the room above the garage. Here in North Carolina they work great - very quiet and energy efficient. Not sure about Montana - you likely have a lot more very cold days than we do.
I installed then myself then paid an HVAC tech to evacuate the lines before opening the refrigerant valves (they come pre-filled). As mentioned above, some HVAC companies charge a lot of money for a relatively easy install. In my case, I don't think any of them had any experience with the units so they were hedging their bets on the installation. Seems like a good place to negotiate the cost.
I have two - one in the garage, one in the room above the garage. Here in North Carolina they work great - very quiet and energy efficient. Not sure about Montana - you likely have a lot more very cold days than we do.
I installed then myself then paid an HVAC tech to evacuate the lines before opening the refrigerant valves (they come pre-filled). As mentioned above, some HVAC companies charge a lot of money for a relatively easy install. In my case, I don't think any of them had any experience with the units so they were hedging their bets on the installation. Seems like a good place to negotiate the cost.
justinjoyal
Well-known member
No expensive and inefficient ductwork. Easy install. The noisy part is outside. Efficient and economical.
Pro installers want a lot more to install them than the work reflects imo. I personally think they are looking at a lucrative trade becoming less so with the easy installs and less work required , so they are bad-mouthing them. My opinion only, formed after speaking to some pros and ending up installing my own mini-split myself. Works great, by the way.
They are reversible heat pumps. In hot weather they take heat from inside and send it outside. In cold weather they take heat from outside and bring it inside. When in heat mode they lose efficiency when the outside air temps are below ~ 30F. Some have an added heat strip for those occasions (making it basically an electric heater).
I have two - one in the garage, one in the room above the garage. Here in North Carolina they work great - very quiet and energy efficient. Not sure about Montana - you likely have a lot more very cold days than we do.
I installed then myself then paid an HVAC tech to evacuate the lines before opening the refrigerant valves (they come pre-filled). As mentioned above, some HVAC companies charge a lot of money for a relatively easy install. In my case, I don't think any of them had any experience with the units so they were hedging their bets on the installation. Seems like a good place to negotiate the cost.
For a «*@#$pro*@#$», there is more to it than just installing the system. People seem to have a hard time understanding that...
As for heating, the best units provide ~80% of their initial output @ -22F.
In a mini-split, the heat strips are not used to supplement the heat output. They are used to prevent ice buildups from defrost cycles.
subscribed . looking at building a basement apt approx 400 ft , need HVAC
strutaeng
Well-known member
I am also considering mini-splits for a house addition with large family room. They work great for large, open floorplans. I think for cooling it is the way to go.
Do you have natural gas source? I have wondered how a mini-split compares to a simple gas heater, considering the later is so simple to operate. If there is drawback to mini-splits is that the technology is very advanced and repairs will likely be expensive. This is course will vary by manufacturer.
I can see down the road thrashing a system by a less known manufacturer because some circuit board is fried and either there are no replacement parts or parts are as much as new system. Stick to a name-brand system.
Do you have natural gas source? I have wondered how a mini-split compares to a simple gas heater, considering the later is so simple to operate. If there is drawback to mini-splits is that the technology is very advanced and repairs will likely be expensive. This is course will vary by manufacturer.
I can see down the road thrashing a system by a less known manufacturer because some circuit board is fried and either there are no replacement parts or parts are as much as new system. Stick to a name-brand system.
Make sure if you go with a mini split that you understand the temperature operating limitations of each model. For instance, There are units which will heat down to -20*. Another model of the same size from the same manuf will heat down to 5*. Make sure you understand each model you are considering.