[JackOfAllTrades]

Looking for some feedback as to ductless mini splits like the LG Linear Art Cool unit with heat pump.

Some HVAC companies hate ductless mini splits, which seems strange as they are easy to install and there is no duct work to deal with.

These units seem to be pretty efficient (26 SEER).

If getting duct runs into a room is tough, would a mini split heat/cool a 500 square foot room?

 

[Doc Holliday]

depends on the btu (size) of the unit, but yes.

 

[747]

There nice. But expensive. Absolutely on 500 square. Just have to get proper out door btu unit. Best installed on a interior exterior wall. Go to different manufacturers websites and see if they have a certified installer in your area.

Mitsubishi
Carrier
LG
Panasonic
Just to name a few.

 

[joecaption]

I love mine.
It's a 2 ton and is used to heat and cool a 800 sq. ft. house.
Quiet, really cheap to run.
It replaced a gas heater and cost 1/3 as much to run.

I got lucky and got mine for cost because I'd given my HVAC guy about 10 jobs.
I had it all wired, and mounted myself, only trouble I had was believing how small a gauge wire was needed to run it.
He showed up to make the line set connections and cheak for leaks. He was only there for about an hour.
May be why they do not like them, not enough money to be made.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Who says hvac guys don't like them? You see all of us on here offering them up pretty much daily. I could make a killing selling and installing mini splits, probably more potential profit in them versus central air as it takes 1/3 the time to install. If the market for them were as great, I'd be rich!

 

[joecaption]

I was sure the energy label was a miss print when I first got it.
Where it says least and highest energy effeciancy the line was all the way over to the right.

 

[strategery]

I love mine.
It's a 2 ton and is used to heat and cool a 800 sq. ft. house.
Quiet, really cheap to run.
It replaced a gas heater and cost 1/3 as much to run.

I got lucky and got mine for cost because I'd given my HVAC guy about 10 jobs.
I had it all wired, and mounted myself, only trouble I had was believing how small a gauge wire was needed to run it.
He showed up to make the line set connections and cheak for leaks. He was only there for about an hour.
May be why they do not like them, not enough money to be made.

What climate do u live in? I have always wondered about their ability to heat in cold climates.

 

[JackOfAllTrades]

How cold can it get outside before they stop working properly? I assume there is a built-in compressor shutdown if it gets too cold.

How is the condensation line run?

 

[joecaption]

I've never paid attention to what it's doing I just know even when it was in the 20's last year I was still warm and the power bill did not go up much.

 

[strategery]

I've never paid attention to what it's doing I just know even when it was in the 20's last year I was still warm and the power bill did not go up much.

Do u have a Mitsubishi? I have heard good things about their hyperheat split.

 

[joecaption]

Yes it is, the install instrutions suck!
Once I figured it out it was not bad.

 

[hvactech126]

Mini splits are great from an economical point of view. However, working on them is a pain. Everything is compact and plastic. Electrical troubleshooting can not really be done without calling tech support. There is no way to bypass their control to test components like you can on traditional equipment. Having said all that, I love them when they work properly. Mitsubishi can operate well down to 0F. I do recommend a pan heater though so the condensate from defrost does not freeze and puncture the coil (just replaced an outdoor coil due to that problem).

 

[strategery]

Mini splits are great from an economical point of view. However, working on them is a pain. Everything is compact and plastic. Electrical troubleshooting can not really be done without calling tech support. There is no way to bypass their control to test components like you can on traditional equipment. Having said all that, I love them when they work properly. Mitsubishi can operate well down to 0F. I do recommend a pan heater though so the condensate from defrost does not freeze and puncture the coil (just replaced an outdoor coil due to that problem).

When you say they can work well down to 0 degrees, do you mean it still puts out heat cost effectively? Does it have built in back up electric resistance heat or should that be provided by a radiator or something?

I'm intrigued by these. Ideally, the heating/cooling load would be so low that they could keep up. And I love the idea of not have ductwork to deal with.

 

[hvactech126]

check Mitsubishi's hyper heat

Year-Round Comfort from a Heat Pump
Mitsubishi Electric's Hyper-Heating INVERTER (H2i®) heat pump technology provides year-round comfort with a single system, even on the coldest days of the year in most areas. Using INVERTER-driven scroll compressor technology, H2i systems can achieve the desired room temperature quickly and maintain it while conserving energy.
The MSZ-FE09/12NA high efficiency systems are not only ENERGY STAR® rated and Tax Credit qualified, providing up to 26 SEER, they provide exceptional heating performance. These systems provide heating to -13°F and produce 100% heating capacity at 5°F (MSZ-09); 92% capacity at 5°F for MSZ-12.
A number of innovative features make our H2i heat pumps a great choice for comfort control:
• Automatic cool / heat changeover
• Automatic restart in the case of power outages
• Long line-length capabilities of up to 277 ft.
• Wind baffles to allow for air conditioning down to 0º F outdoor ambient temperature
• Special circuits that quickly deliver refrigerant to the air conditioning cycle so that air at a comfortable temperature begins flowing right away

http://www.mitsubishipro.com/en/pro...pplications/building-applications/single-zone

 

[strategery]

Looks nice but I'd want to see some real world performance data in cold climates before I'd be willing to roll the dice. In a climate like Minnesota with very cold winters and somewhat high electric rates, it would be hard to beat a natural gas furnace.

 

[hvactech126]

what kind of real world data do you want?

In January 2010, temperatures dropped to -10 degrees. When I checked my cabin interiors, every one held a temperature of 65 degrees, just where I had set them. My January per cabin heating cost was cut in half! Mitsubishi Electric’s performance exceeded my expectations.”

http://www.mehvaccasestudies.com/case_studies/view/71

I'm sorry, but you said you were intrigued, but when I gave you information you said you want real world data...... Sounds like you just don't believe anything. Good luck.

 

[strategery]

what kind of real world data do you want?



http://www.mehvaccasestudies.com/case_studies/view/71

I'm sorry, but you said you were intrigued, but when I gave you information you said you want real world data...... Sounds like you just don't believe anything. Good luck.

In the case you just provided, the testimonial replaced an oil space heater. I'm more interested in a direct comparison between heating with natural gas vs a split system.

 

[hvactech126]

IF that is the case then you have to do the math to figure out the electric rates Vs. Natural gas cost of what ever type of NG system you would have. Call a dealer and have them give you the figures for YOUR area. Mini splits are great for add-on rooms, or the like. Personally, I prefer my ducted central HP with NG aux heat for my home. I use the mini-split for the 3 season room to make it a 4 season room. At the seer and HSPF ratings these are being produced to achieve these are a viable option in most all climates.