Sanyo vs. Fujitsu mini split heat pump systems

[R_Jones]

Does anyone have an opinion, good or bad about Sanyo vs. Fujitsu mini split heat pump systems? I’ve read mostly good reviews about both companies. Both units are 12,000 BTU the main difference between the two units (that I can see) is that the Sanyo has a SEER 16 rating while the Fujitsu’s is 21. I’ve gotten two quotes and the contractor that is proposing the Fujitsu is about $500 higher. I have very good referrals for both contractors and think either one will do a good job. I’m just trying to see if the extra cost for the Fujitsu is a good investment.

Thanks greatly for any feedback,

Rich

 

[gigidon]

I had two Fujitsu units installed in my house June 07. We've been extremely happy with them. We were warned that heating would not sufficient when the temperature drops below 20 degrees--and he was right.

Otherwise the units are wonderfully efficient and quiet. I have an unusual home (a converted barn) but the installation was simple and looks good.

 

[JohnZ]

I can't speak to the heat pump units, but I have a 42,000-BTU Mitsubishi A/C-only mini-split system for my 2600-sq. ft. garage, and it's in its third year, works great, has been trouble-free, and is scary-quiet, both inside and outside.

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=1411059

 

[rickairmedic]

I think alot depends on your location the SEER rating is only going to make a differance in cooling months not heating months . I am in Louisville and $500.00 for 5 seer points would make me lean towards the higher seer unit but we have 6 months of warm or OMG hot weather here .

Rick

 

[sneezer41]

I think they are both good units, I would tend towards the highest EER that fits your budget, as energy costs are not going to go down soon

 

[Loogie]

I'm in the process of installing a 26000 BTU Sanyo unit in my shop. It was the only one that I could find that has a backup strip heater in it for the really cold days. The lines are roughed in now and I should have the unit running in 2 weeks. I'll let you know how it goes. My unit is 15.9 SEER and has an HSPF of 10.3. It's a model 26KHHS72R.

 

[1deez2]

Have been installing and repairing the Sanyo units for 8 years now in an industrial setting ang have not had more than a fan motor go out. Easy to put in. Easy to maintain.

 

[Namocsid]

I have a fujitsu in my garage and am quite pleased with it.

 

[moreaggrevation]

Airmedic,
How do I get a mini split repaired in Pleasureaville. I've been waiting since mid October.

 

[jmandrix]

The truth is most leading brand heat pumps are very similar. We deal with Fujitsu Split System air conditioners as they have an edge over their competitors in efficiency, warranty period, performance, size and appearance. I have very good referrals for both contractors and think either one will do a good job. I’m just trying to see if the extra cost for the Fujitsu is a good investment.

 

[truckman5000]

I only install Mitsubishi. The reason for my company is, Mitsubishi units and parts are sold by vendors within a driving distance all over this part of the country. Ive had problems getting parts for other brands including the ones listed. Meening instead of it getting fixed in 2 hours, your waiting for a part to come in by special order.
Reliabillity is mostly the same not too many problems. Being the only problems i see are the installer didnt do something rite.
Check the popularity in your area of the country, there maybee different sales ex. brands. Both the brands you listed are fine.
Sany and fuj. are about the same ballpark in quallity, about the same price. The seer is what makes the fuj. in your case more money.
You could install a 13 seer fuj. and it will be cheeper than the sanyo.

 

[James_SC]

I have had the Fujitsu mini-split for several years. At first it was almost perfect. It is super quiet and very energy efficient. One thing I do not like about it which is probably common to most mini-split systems is that it does not have a standard remote thermostat with sensor. The sensor is in the wall unit which leads to inaccurate room temperatures. In addition, because of this, the motor has to run constantly. Furthermore, it can only be adjusted in 2 degree increments (F).

I ordered the optional wired remote. The sensor in it is not active so the one on the unit is still being used. There is no backlighting so I have to use a flashlight to see it. The programming is poor.

Now the BAD part. After about a year and a half the blower started making noise. Then it started leaking freon from the interior coil. After 2 replacements of the coil each one leaked. That was 3 coils. The entire blower assembly including the motor was replaced 2 times and still made noise making 3 bad blowers. Finally, the entire interior unit was replaced. These units are very difficult to work on. Fortunately, I had purchased an extended warranty.

I have had the new interior unit for about 1 and 1/2 years now. The company would not offer an extended warranty. It is now acting like it is low on freon. I suspect another inner coil leak.

I would not buy this unit. In addition, I do not think I would buy any mini-split until they use a standard remote thermostat and these quality issues are resolved.

 

[walrus]

There is a study online comparing Mitsubishi and Fujitsu mini splits, I guess the Fujitsu came out ahead. I think the study was done by a University somewhere out west?

In Maine they are installing mini splits left and right.

 

[RKA]

You really have to look at your expected AC use and predict what the ROI would be on the higher SEER unit. If you can recover that initial investment in 7 years I'd go for it. If it takes more than 12 skip, and somewhere in middle flip a coin. As another poster mentioned, electric costs will only go up, so think about that.

When I was shopping a year ago, my top three were Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, and Sanyo. I ended up with the Fujitsu and haven't had any issues. One of the guys on another forum had an issue with his Sanyo, and I was impressed with the service he received from them.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You have to include Mitsubishi in any comparison !

 

[JohnMM]

I live in a 130 year old 30' x 30' farm house with rock wool blown-in insulation in the rough-cut 2x5" walls, and 14" ceiling insulation located in east central Ohio. It is not very tight.

In December 2011 I installed a Fujitsu 9-RLS ductless mini-split, their most efficient model at the time (rated at 26 SEER and 12 HSPF), replacing an inefficient hot water heating system. The 9-RLS is rated to operate from 3,000 to 22,000 BTU.

I would install a second unit, but I plan to super insulate the house and am confident that this extremely efficient unit will then easily maintain a comfortable temperature.

I assumed I would need to install a low wattage circulation fan to move air around the house, but quickly decided it wasn't necessary for me. With doors open most of the time the temperature ranges from 3 to 5 degrees colder in the opposite corner of the house from the HP, occasionally more in the most severe weather.

The coldest weather since installation have been 3 consecutive days with nights at -3, +8 and -1 degrees F and day temp at 16, 20 and 19. The 9RLS was not quite able to keep up, letting the room in which it is installed drop to 54 degrees on the coldest nights. The electrical consumption for the heat pump (I have it separately metered) for those days averaged 17 Kwh per day.

I am sorry to hear some have had problems, however I have friends who together have installed a dozen Fujitsu and Mitsubishi mini-split ductless heat pumps. To my knowledge they all love them. I am aware of only one case where minor repairs were needed. It is critical that the installation be done by a competent and properly trained installer.

For efficiency, the last I checked, Fujitsu and Mitsubishi were at the top of the pack, both make several lines. I and my friends have all chosen units from their most efficient series.

It is true that the thermostat on the unit is not as effective at maintaining exact room temperature as a remote thermostat would be, especially when bringing the room up from a set back temperature, but when the unit is left on I find the temperature stabilizes close to the set temperature very well.

 

[Highbeam]

Funny how many first time posters appear in this thread.

 

[prosperitynow]

Constructor installed: 5 Indoor Wall mounted Units “Fujitsu” ASU9RMLQ 9,000 BTU, 2 Indoor Wall mounted Units “Fujitsu” ASU12RMLQ 12,000 BTU, 2 Outdoor Inverter Driven AC Units “Fujitsu” AOU36RML1 36,000 BTU in 2009, paid thousands of dollars and was told has 5 years warranty. In 2013 one inside unit is not working. Fujitsu representative (NJ, US) said that warranty only for compressor and suggested if I don't like an arrangement - not to use AC. I paid $600.00 to fix it and have to pay another $600.00 to still fix it. Fujitsu manager does not return multiple calls and always unavailable, for example: out for lunch at 9 o'clock in the morning. Horrible customer service. Get something else.