Mostly a disposable DIY brand. Not great support once you’ve bought it.

 

Installed myself a 18000BTU(SENA/18HF) two years ago and running in the summer and winter as need it. This is a unit running up to -30C. No issue with it at all; very pleased how works. Straight install with one exception: if you planning to install the compressor over 16ft away from head, you will need to hire a HVAC technician to add additional 410A as the system is coming charged only for 16ft of tube for designed efficiency.

 

I sure hope that you used the precharged lineset version or evacuated the system before opening the service valves. Precharged linesets don't require extra refrigerant. They are also extremely prone to leaking and is why all the big brands gave up on them decades ago.

 

I was planning on having a hvac tech make the connections do what he does best.

 

Don't get a diy unit with quick connects.

 

If you plan on buying the unit yourself, I’d suggest installing it yourself so you can work on it.
Otherwise your left with a unit with no labor warranty, and a questionable parts warranty.
Many companies will not install equipment bought by the homeowner.

 

Not sure why others are hating on this brand. Neighbor had been running two systems for years with zero problems, just helped me install a two head 28k system in my house, and it took only a licensed plumber to connect, check charge, and electrician to run the new service line to get up and running at 1/3 -1/2 the cost of the name brands. Customer service has been amazing both before and after the sale and as my first split experience I’m super impressed with how efficient the system is. This is rural northeast and heat output’s been strong well below zero degrees. We will see how the disability is over time but this first winter here in the northeast I have zero complaints.

 

Not sure why others are hating on this brand. .

Their quality control isn't the best, and their warranty can be far better. They are basically disposable once anything at all breaks on it. Unfortunately due to the pricing to purchase any of these units, even the big brands are not really worth fixing either unless you have very cheap labour.

 

Apologies for the naïveté, but aren’t all the manufacturers leveraging the same/similar manufacturing, on the equipment then just slapping their logos on top? We certainly see that in other appliances like TVs where there’s a small number of manufacturers like Samsung making the panels and each company applying their own branding, case, and warranty around the equipment.

In any case happy to provide an update on how things go a year or so out. For the price of semi-DIY setup ($2.5k for purchase of a 30k 2 head system plus $2.5k for installation from a licensed plumber and a new line of electrical service) was about 1/2 what I was quoted for full install of one of the name brand Daikin or Mitsubishi units.

 

No. They aren't like consumer grade plug and play appliances. Senville and many others in that class manufacturer them to consumer grade levels though. There is a lot of brand swapping but the big names all design and manufacturer their own stuff. Samsung, fujitsu, and Mitsubishi all have their own compressor factories.

 

No, the DIY minis are cheaply made and mass produced. Like Senville, Midea, Gree and Mr Cool. And parts aren't plentiful and easily sourced.
The upper tier units, like Mitsubishi and Samsung, are proprietary and superior in every way. And in 10 years I’ll be able to easily find parts for it.

 

No, the DIY minis are cheaply made and mass produced. Like Senville, Midea, Gree and Mr Cool. And parts aren't plentiful and easily sourced.
The upper tier units, like Mitsubishi and Samsung, are proprietary and superior in every way. And in 10 years I’ll be able to easily find parts for it.

Midea is like the foxconn of chinese ac/refrigeration stuff - they make stuff at varying quality levels for different companies.

The bosch ids is made by midea and is supposed to be a great product.
On the other extreme, midea also makes most disposable window units and dehumidifiers sold in box stores.

 

I have 2 of these. A 9,000 btu and a 12,000 but model. Both have worked very well since day one. I installed both of them. The 9,000 unit was pumping 85 degree head into my bedroom while my 6 month old $10,000 professionally installed Amana 5 ton unit was puking out cold air. The Amana unit couldn't be fixed and it being replaced at no cost to me.