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Top tier mini split manufacturers?

Kaizen

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Joined
Jan 9, 2015
Messages
6,948
Location
New England
which wall hung units need the least cleaning or are easiest to clean (for a DIYer)?


They all ****. Biannual cleaning is several hours for the first time. I disassembled mine and cleaned outside. They make kits you can do it in place. Search you tube to see process.


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jjrbus

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Joined
Dec 8, 2018
Messages
616
Location
Florida
jjrbus, when you sized your Daikins, did you make any adjustment for the high humidity? I've seen a few mention slightly under-sizing the system. No idea if that helps, just something I've seen a time or two.
**** I typed out a long response and it disappeared! Short version, good minis modulate, start low and work up to needed btu. They also vary in btu produced, depending on manufacturer a 9k will put out as low as 2000 btu and as high as 11,000 btu. Had I understood this when buying my one 12k unit would be a 9k unit and if I had deep pockets my 2 9k units would be 6k. It would be a smaller unit but not undersized and far more efficient.

I live in FL, I live in a swamp, I threw in the towel on keeping humidity down.
 

yeldogt

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Joined
Jan 2, 2012
Messages
18,184
There is a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to the operation of the multi head units. In most cases the best way to size them is to have more BTU's in the heads. The multi units are best went all are running -- the ideal is to keep the compressor it it's sweat spot. With singles -- since almost everybody oversizes (mistake mistake) they are only working in the best range 70-80% ... on design days. So you never see the max efficiencies.

No --- you don't want to buy a multi with extra space with the idea you will have a spot .... unless -- some how the base is met and the extra head is 6k. But-- even then I don't think it will fit the tables.

You don't want a multi where one head is always off.
 

jjrbus

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Joined
Dec 8, 2018
Messages
616
Location
Florida
There is a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to the operation of the multi head units. In most cases the best way to size them is to have more BTU's in the heads. The multi units are best went all are running -- the ideal is to keep the compressor it it's sweat spot. With singles -- since almost everybody oversizes (mistake mistake) they are only working in the best range 70-80% ... on design days. So you never see the max efficiencies.

No --- you don't want to buy a multi with extra space with the idea you will have a spot .... unless -- some how the base is met and the extra head is 6k. But-- even then I don't think it will fit the tables.

You don't want a multi where one head is always off.

A real grey area with lots of misunderstanding and confusion, had me baffled. I used 3 outside and inside units. I like the redundancy and line sets were a piece of cake, instead of snaking them all over the place.
 

yeldogt

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Joined
Jan 2, 2012
Messages
18,184
A real grey area with lots of misunderstanding and confusion, had me baffled. I used 3 outside and inside units. I like the redundancy and line sets were a piece of cake, instead of snaking them all over the place.

There are places where the multi make the most sense -- and other times where they don't. I'm not in the redundant camp .... it's just more to go wrong.

Mitsubishi has tables where you can see the exact setup. Example: in one house I have 2x 12k ceiling units and 1 12k head unit on a 30k compressor. You can find that exact configuration and see the head output range. It's not the same as having 3 separate units.

It's better to have 3 heads running and the compressor at 65% .. vs having 3 units all running at 25%.

My new build requires three heads. It's a converted church and I ended up with three rooms that can't be handled with the ducted system. Unfortunately -- one is the kitchen ... the most logical combination with that units compressor is a loft far up in the building. The loft will not be used all the time. You don't link a unit that's going to be used all the time to one that is not unless you have to -- especially with a long line set to the one that will be off. I ended up with three units.

Whenever you see 3 heads of 12k connected to a 36 compressor .... it's typically because the installer did not do a load on the building and review the tables. Some wit when you see the compressor larger then the heads --- people think they have reserve. You don't ..
 

jjrbus

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Joined
Dec 8, 2018
Messages
616
Location
Florida
If I knew 1/10 of what you know and had a truck full of tools and parts I would not be in the redundant camp either!
 
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Bills Tools

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Joined
Jul 16, 2018
Messages
70
Location
New Jersey
Mitsubishi is the most reliable advoid lg. We use to be an lg dealer so many burned out compressors. Almost no problems with Mitsubishi, Fujitsu makes a solid unit. Stay away from the cheap units or you will just toss them in garbage when they break. Daiken is ok. I was working on a bunch of Daikens in a school. 75 indoor heads and 15 condensers. Yet I am a diamond dealer


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dr3x

Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2015
Messages
6
I don't know about Mitsu being the most reliable; it certainly has the most parts, and history being the first, but not necessarily reliable.

I just installed an LG Artcool (the black mirror finish) and the HVAC guy who I hired to install it who has been also doing this for over 20 years has not installed this level of LG before and noticed that the outside unit was all copper as opposed to mixed metal. He was impressed.

His only advice was to stay away from Mr. Cool.

So, I am not sure what an N of 1 means on either side, but wirecutter has a nice article on this:

www,nytimes,com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-ductless-mini-split-air-conditioner/#how-wed-pick-a-brand

Stupid rule btw to not post links, especially when lurking for 6 years. (Yes, I run a much bigger automotive board, I get the logic, but still)
 

muncie21

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 10, 2010
Messages
162
Location
NE Ohio
I have a Mitsubishi hyper-heat unit installed to heat/cool my attached garage. Been running for the last 4 years, no issues or complaints.
 

bruce_taylor

Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2021
Messages
12
Location
FL
looking at some of the rebranded units, have good reviews, anybody have good luck with any of the cheaper rebranded units?
 

56Mark

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 26, 2014
Messages
359
Location
Fall Branch, TN
So who is the best online seller to buy these from? When I google reviews on a lot of the online places they are horrible as far as customer service if you have a problem. I am looking to install a 9K in my sunroom and a 12-18K in my basement shop. I recently installed a Blueridge 12K mini in a den in a house I am flipping. It has been running great for nearly a month now and really impressed with it, but was looking for a better brand for my house. I am not looking for a completely DIY system. I can install it, an HVAC tech friend will pull the vac and check and startup for the cost of a nice dinner.
 

PoorUB

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Joined
Mar 29, 2021
Messages
11,622
Location
Fargo, ND
Installation quality weighs over everything else.

You can buy the best unit out there and if the guy is a hack you will not be happy. You could buy some cheap, no name and have a quality install and it will work better than anything else out there.
 
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