Where to buy mini split/heat pump
- Thread starter Jtrudel90
- Start date
ratflinger
Well-known member
Pioneer sells theirs direct. Costco sells Mr. Cool. Amazon offers some too.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
Senville and Pioneer are pretty alike. I've been installing a bunch of each. The linesets supplied with Senville units are better annealed. They're much easier to bend and don't go dead rigid after you roll them out to stuff them through the wall. They also seem to have a better condensate tray arrangement. Better fitting drain hoses, too. At least there's less inexplicable leaks.
If you're hanging it from a wall, make sure you buy the better compressor brackets. The ones that flip down, and hang from a rail are much nicer than the shelf bracket type.
If you're hanging it from a wall, make sure you buy the better compressor brackets. The ones that flip down, and hang from a rail are much nicer than the shelf bracket type.
paranoid56
Well-known member
bought my dakin on amazon. free shipping and had it in 2 days lol
RichieP_MechE
Well-known member
I bought my Gree 24K unit from https://comfortup.com/
housewolf
Well-known member
Find someone in the business to buy from a local distributor if you can. Those online retailers have a hell of a mark up. No one ships “free”
Thanks for the replies, I'm in Ontario and HVAC is heavily regulated and with all the new grants by the Government HVAC suppliers are putting and $8000-$9000 install price on the units. My install doesn't get much simpler I cant bring myself to paying that for an install.
Can you post photos of the differences, or links to what you like to use? I hear a lot of bad things about flimsy wall brackets with poor finishes. Thanks.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
I don't think there's an acme of mini-split hanger brackets, but these ones don't care about stud spacing and they work well enough. I buy the bigger bracket, no matter the unit sizing. It's easier to mount, and I can sit on them. Obviously, if your mini-split vendor has their own like this, then get that one, cause it's easier than ordering piecemeal.
3 Piece Outdoor Wall Mount / Bracket for Mini Split (18000-36000 BTU)
Securely mount your 18000-36000 BTU Mini Split with Senville's 3 Piece Outdoor Wall Mount Bracket. Heavy-duty, weatherproof design with anti-vibration technology. Compatible with select Senville systems.
senville.com
Folding Mounting Bracket for Mini Split Unit with Leveler
Overview Summary Folding mounting bracket with leveler for keeping your outdoor unit off of the ground from snow, dirt, debris etc. Included are vibration absorbers and bolts for keeping your unit stable. Now with a crossbar in the middle with bubble leveler to simplify installation and assure...
www.pioneerminisplit.com
This type ***** red hot rocks in hell. Period. No matter what the specs say, they're wiggly, jiggly, flimsy ****. $20 more material, and an hour's worth of effort on your part, and then they're marginal.
desmopower
Member
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2010
- Messages
- 14
I bought an 18k Mitsubishi unit from ecomfort.com. They shipped it right away.
I like that they sell mini split connecting cable (14ga/4). Anything I found local was WAY over sized and had a really thick jacket. This is about the diameter of a standard low amp extension cord and is not expensive.
Only change I would recommend is their pre-made lines had poorly done flares. They are reasonably priced and the EZ pull insulation works well. I would plan on re-flaring them so they seal up easier.
I am very happy with the unit and it heats and cools my garage very well. Super quiet, too. Four other people (one neighbor and three friends) have since installed a mini split after seeing how well it works. Various brands (Mr Cool, pioneer, etc) and none of them have had any issues.
I did research it for a while and regret afterward somehow overlooking the one I bought was not part of the H2i product line. I would have paid extra for it to gain a bit more efficency in the winter.
The 18k BTU only requires a 15A breaker so I used 14ga wire per the NEC chart.
I like that they sell mini split connecting cable (14ga/4). Anything I found local was WAY over sized and had a really thick jacket. This is about the diameter of a standard low amp extension cord and is not expensive.
Only change I would recommend is their pre-made lines had poorly done flares. They are reasonably priced and the EZ pull insulation works well. I would plan on re-flaring them so they seal up easier.
I am very happy with the unit and it heats and cools my garage very well. Super quiet, too. Four other people (one neighbor and three friends) have since installed a mini split after seeing how well it works. Various brands (Mr Cool, pioneer, etc) and none of them have had any issues.
I did research it for a while and regret afterward somehow overlooking the one I bought was not part of the H2i product line. I would have paid extra for it to gain a bit more efficency in the winter.
The 18k BTU only requires a 15A breaker so I used 14ga wire per the NEC chart.
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FabricGATOR
Member
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- Feb 15, 2022
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- 13
I bought my first miniSplit, a 24k heat pump by DuctlessAire from Home Depot. I too wall mounted on a bracket, that turns out to be Ductless Aire too except I got it from Amazon. I am very happy with it and the 22 SEER rating has saved me hundreds of dollars since I purchased it three years ago.
I am in Florida and my heating cooling bill has been average $29 month for my 1250 sq ft home. Low $13, high $61 Avg $41 for the past 12 months... How do I know? Because I have a Sense Energy Monitor also branded as Energy Mizer by Greenlee
Since going energy efficient, I went from $176 dollar electric bill back two years ago with my old Trane wreck (13 SEER circa 2004) ... and now OCT2023, I average $$84 month total, and that is with the 32% electrical cost realized over the past year 0.11 cents kwh to 0.17 cents kwh. Another BIG savings was with my HeatPump hybrid water heater by Rheem. Sorry, I digress...
Then, I replaced the Trane wreck with a Mr Cool universal, also 22 SEER purchase online and eventually being drop shipped from Ingrams water and air. It is a conventional air handler that attached to my duct work and an mini split inverter type heat pump outside unit. Also mounted on the wall with a bracket.
** now don't be fooled, Mr cool dances around the fact that they area made over seas by claiming to be 'proudly owned' by American company and 'shipping' from the warehouse in Kentucky.
*** Interestingly enough, they happen to have the same address as Ingrams... Hmm
Ingrams is good and I think they have good prices including shipping. Call the girls and sometimes they'll knock off a hundred or throw in a thermostat or something.
Ductless Aire is good too. I have spoken to them in North Carolina and they were similarly helpful and accommodating. I forget what they did for me, but it was positive. DA can be got on Amazon as well as Home Depot the last time I checked.
I have installed many other manufacturers mini splits and they all seem to be similar. A Gree from Lowes, 12k HP...; installed great, friends are very happy
That being said, it is the installation and attention to detail that is the biggest factor to the efficiency and longevity of ANY HVAC system. Use nitrogen purge when sweating cooper (I used my welding Argon because it was readily available on hand and a noble gas)
Use FlareSeal gaskets on the flare fittings and use a torque wrench to tighten them... do it right once and you'll not have to do it again/.
Deep long vacuum and break the vacuum at least once (bring neg pressure inside the pipe back to zero with either refrigerant or your purge gas dry nitrogen or argon) AND then vacuum down again. AND it is NOT holding a vacuum that is a leak check, it is continuous running of the vacuum pump that makes humidity boil at ambient temperature.
Sometimes if your vacuum gauge raises when doing a 15 minute hold, perhaps YES, you MAY have a leak OR... there is still moisture in the lineset and that is gassing off and filling the void, that could be why your vacuum gauge is rising when holding. Don't be that guy who goes and over tightens all the fittings yet... continue to pull the vacuum and see it it improves.
I would Avoid the MrCool DIY no vac line sets, merely on the fact that you have no choice when it comes to adjusting the length of the copper. Coiling extra copper IS NOT acceptable. IMAO
** get Surge Protection for your whole home,,, everything from the computer, the refrigerator, these ac units, microwave, dish washer, clothes drier... they all use computers and they are great BUT, you will loose all of your energy savings if you take a hit..
I am in Florida and my heating cooling bill has been average $29 month for my 1250 sq ft home. Low $13, high $61 Avg $41 for the past 12 months... How do I know? Because I have a Sense Energy Monitor also branded as Energy Mizer by Greenlee
Since going energy efficient, I went from $176 dollar electric bill back two years ago with my old Trane wreck (13 SEER circa 2004) ... and now OCT2023, I average $$84 month total, and that is with the 32% electrical cost realized over the past year 0.11 cents kwh to 0.17 cents kwh. Another BIG savings was with my HeatPump hybrid water heater by Rheem. Sorry, I digress...
Then, I replaced the Trane wreck with a Mr Cool universal, also 22 SEER purchase online and eventually being drop shipped from Ingrams water and air. It is a conventional air handler that attached to my duct work and an mini split inverter type heat pump outside unit. Also mounted on the wall with a bracket.
** now don't be fooled, Mr cool dances around the fact that they area made over seas by claiming to be 'proudly owned' by American company and 'shipping' from the warehouse in Kentucky.
*** Interestingly enough, they happen to have the same address as Ingrams... Hmm
Ingrams is good and I think they have good prices including shipping. Call the girls and sometimes they'll knock off a hundred or throw in a thermostat or something.
Ductless Aire is good too. I have spoken to them in North Carolina and they were similarly helpful and accommodating. I forget what they did for me, but it was positive. DA can be got on Amazon as well as Home Depot the last time I checked.
I have installed many other manufacturers mini splits and they all seem to be similar. A Gree from Lowes, 12k HP...; installed great, friends are very happy
That being said, it is the installation and attention to detail that is the biggest factor to the efficiency and longevity of ANY HVAC system. Use nitrogen purge when sweating cooper (I used my welding Argon because it was readily available on hand and a noble gas)
Use FlareSeal gaskets on the flare fittings and use a torque wrench to tighten them... do it right once and you'll not have to do it again/.
Deep long vacuum and break the vacuum at least once (bring neg pressure inside the pipe back to zero with either refrigerant or your purge gas dry nitrogen or argon) AND then vacuum down again. AND it is NOT holding a vacuum that is a leak check, it is continuous running of the vacuum pump that makes humidity boil at ambient temperature.
Sometimes if your vacuum gauge raises when doing a 15 minute hold, perhaps YES, you MAY have a leak OR... there is still moisture in the lineset and that is gassing off and filling the void, that could be why your vacuum gauge is rising when holding. Don't be that guy who goes and over tightens all the fittings yet... continue to pull the vacuum and see it it improves.
I would Avoid the MrCool DIY no vac line sets, merely on the fact that you have no choice when it comes to adjusting the length of the copper. Coiling extra copper IS NOT acceptable. IMAO
** get Surge Protection for your whole home,,, everything from the computer, the refrigerator, these ac units, microwave, dish washer, clothes drier... they all use computers and they are great BUT, you will loose all of your energy savings if you take a hit..
Jakemedic
Well-known member
I purchased my Mr Cool DIY from Ingrams. Quick shipping and a good price. Don’t use it for heating, only cooling. Opted for a Mr Heater overhead natural gas for heat. Been a couple of years and thus far happy. I got both units cheaper than my local HVAC wanted for a mini split.
FabricGATOR
Member
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- Feb 15, 2022
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- 13
Is yours a straight cool unit or a heat pump?
If the model number has HP in it, then yes
You would be surprised how much heat that thing can pull out of the outside air as low as 20ºf
It is super efficient energy too. Next time you are going to heat, you could always try it out and then if not good enough, you can always burn some dinosaur farts..
EIGHTSTACKHEMI572
New member
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- Oct 1, 2023
- Messages
- 1
I just bought Mr Cool 24K mini-split for my new garage. Bought it through Lowe's for under $2900 w/tax & free delivery & a 10% Lowe's cardholder discount and including all the extra parts needed to hook it up. I got a price on a Mitshibishi 24K unit installed, but that was $4200. I am installing the Mr Cool with the help of my best buddy retired electrician friend.
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Jakemedic
Well-known member
hello! I have used the mini split for heat, just isn’t super efficient. Without going to the shop to look, the heat is like 12 seer and the cooling is 22 seer. My overhead furnace is 82% and heats very quickly. Rarely does it get below 38 degrees in the shop without heat.
BB70Chevelle
Active member
LG unit for our house I got from ecomfort.com. No issues at all with them. Recently bought a Bosch 2.5T 2 zone for our garage from Home Depot. I would advise against ordering from Home Depot. It took five times reordering it before we got one that had an “acceptable“ amount of shipping damage. By that point it had been discounted so many times I practically got it for free.
FabricGATOR
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- Feb 15, 2022
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Heating is not rated in SEER rather something like (*HFPR) and is different. The heat pump (moving heat) is usually more efficient that creating heat... Now the sales slogan "Gas Heats Best" does come to mind but I still believe in the HP.
Just like air conditioning and a bilge pump... I'd probably use the heat pump as primary "warm the room" and then set the other gas furnace a few degrees cooler and have it engage when the heat pump starts to flag.
My 1200 sq ft home and my heat pump(s). My home originally had the 3 ton Trane Wreck central air ducted from 2004 (original) with a 10,000 watt heat strip. Then when the outside unit started to have to have the refrigerant need refilled more and more, I installed a 2 ton Ductless Aire mini split. Now, that thing, I can run it on my generator set in a hurricane / power out situation.
If you have ever been post hurricane in humid Florida when the power is out... the two things you really miss is comfortable cool dry air and a hot shower.
dcg9381
Well-known member
https://heatandcool.com/ is where I bought Daikin.
Basically if it's not "consumer" Mr. Cool, you're kinda on your own... Unless you bring in an "licensed installer".
I just saw that the most recent Mr. Cool unit lines were vacuumed and much easier to connect.
Basically if it's not "consumer" Mr. Cool, you're kinda on your own... Unless you bring in an "licensed installer".
I just saw that the most recent Mr. Cool unit lines were vacuumed and much easier to connect.
FabricGATOR
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- Feb 15, 2022
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Later, the next year, I came into some extra cheddar and bought the MrCool Universal. It is a two OR three ton unit that uses a regular air handler and then an energy efficient inverter technology outdoor compressor.
You simply choose 2 ton dip switches for 22 SEER or if the sun explodes and we really do experience global warming, I can switch the central air to 3 ton at 18 SEER. I now have 5 tons total cooling capacity (if needed) and either unit can be run off of the old Onan generator salvaged from my motor home.
I also added a 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater and it heats my water for 1/4 the kw's that the old electric unit did and I can run that on generator too...
The real killer in installing all this energy efficient stuff was the need to buy new circuit breakers (lower amperage) to properly protect my machines AND the surge protection device such as the Siemans FS140 or the Eaton CHPST2SURGE
At the time, mid covid, the Siemens FS 140 was not available so I opted for a two device with the EATON above and then a surge protection replacement breaker that they both protect the FPL or lightning strike surge protection of the entire home
You simply choose 2 ton dip switches for 22 SEER or if the sun explodes and we really do experience global warming, I can switch the central air to 3 ton at 18 SEER. I now have 5 tons total cooling capacity (if needed) and either unit can be run off of the old Onan generator salvaged from my motor home.
I also added a 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater and it heats my water for 1/4 the kw's that the old electric unit did and I can run that on generator too...
The real killer in installing all this energy efficient stuff was the need to buy new circuit breakers (lower amperage) to properly protect my machines AND the surge protection device such as the Siemans FS140 or the Eaton CHPST2SURGE
At the time, mid covid, the Siemens FS 140 was not available so I opted for a two device with the EATON above and then a surge protection replacement breaker that they both protect the FPL or lightning strike surge protection of the entire home
FabricGATOR
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I am of the train of thought that is another man can do it I can too...
I 'borrow' a vacuum pump from AutoZone Loan a Tool program and you'll need to learn a little YouTuber and get 5/16th inch lineset adapter for connecting your HVAC manifold set.
dcg9381
Well-known member
Yea, HVAC is not my preferred bag of tricks either, but I've done several ductless systems.
Deal is, only Mr. Cool will offer consumer direct warranty or support.
FabricGATOR
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Then again, you could install the unit and then pay a professional to come in and make up the copper pipes, evacuate, and the release the gas... Hook up the electrical too if you are not comfortable.
But if you are going to do a DIY Mr Kewl, then you are a vacuum pump away from savings
Well, not exactly. Pioneer offers a 12mo warranty even if it isn't
'registered', installed and signed off by a pro. I had a fan motor failure on mine about a week after install. I emailed them and had a new motor on hand in 3 days. Installed said motor myself.
FabricGATOR
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I self registered with Ductless Aire as an HVAC technician (installer/worker) not as a contractor... I've not needed warran... (not gonna say it)
quakerj
Well-known member
I have two Senville 24K systems in my 30x50 workshop. One is a Leno (cheaper model), the other is the higher efficiency Aura model which was about $500 more. Extremely happy with both; installed and wired them up myself.
The Aura is physically ~30% larger for both the indoor and outdoor unit despite both being 24K. And oddly enough the Aura (more efficient) requires a 30 amp circuit vs a 20A required for the Leto. I suspect the larger Aura unit performs MUCH better with heating, but I haven't been able to use it for heat yet.
The Aura is physically ~30% larger for both the indoor and outdoor unit despite both being 24K. And oddly enough the Aura (more efficient) requires a 30 amp circuit vs a 20A required for the Leto. I suspect the larger Aura unit performs MUCH better with heating, but I haven't been able to use it for heat yet.