Ductless AC

Bill7

Hi,

I have 100% electric utilities/heat. No AC.

I do live "up north," so I do not need AC very often, but I am thinking it isn't such a bad idea.

I have been looking at ductless systems. Anyone out there have these. Would probably go with a dual zone, to keep costs down a bit. I have a split level house. The down stairs actually stays "cool," just not conditioned.

I did get a quote from a dealer in my town, and they quoted $9000, although it was for a 3 zone/unit system (one outside unit). After looking up prices, they are charging a lot for install, or so it seems to me.

What are the better units?

Thanks.

yuri

Fujitsu Ductless Mini-Splits: Wall Mounted Systems

Fujitsu, LG, Sanyo, Mitsubishi are all good. The other no names are hard to get parts and info for later. They are all imports, expensive but work very well if installed by a competent contractor.

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Marty S.

Got a bunch of fujitsu mini slits going in right now. Helped the construction guys set a few yesterday. Multiple insides running from a manifold of refrigerant lines off of one condensor that can both heat and cool at the same time. Oh joy the day something goes wrong and I get to figure that out.

yuri

I took a course on the inverter ECM compressor jobs they have. VERY VERY high tech stuff.

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Bill7

I looked up the Fujitsu, and these do look nice. What is up with the "negative ion" stuff??

Also, being "up north," the idea of a heat pump seems appealing. However, will using the heat pump wear out the system considerably faster? At what temps can the heat pumps be run?

Anyway, thanks for the replies,

Bill

yuri

Ion thing is a air purifying process like using a charcoal filter except better. Heat pumps are more cost effective than straight electric heat. The high end Fujis can run very low but you need to talk to their rep to find out what temp it loses the cost effective ratio depending on your electric rate. Then you switch back to your other source. Google: "air to air heat pump" for more info.
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/publications/...sheatpumps.cfm

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jjrbus

While planning a traditional split AC system I keep looking at the mini splits also. I don't have one, but I spent 3 winters in Asia and never saw a central air in a residence only mini splits! Every place I stayed had the mini's and I had no complaint with them. What we consider off brands here are staples in Asia. The problem with the off brands in the US is parts and service.
After looking a bit I do not like the multi units off one condenser. I am in FL and want the redundancy provided by separate units.
Try a Google search on "mini split forums" "DIY mini splits" lots of info.

JIm

Earnie

Marty,

If the unit can heat and cool at the same time, in the summer, could the heat side be used for hot water?