Mitsubishi Mr. Slim Ductless Unit Noise Issues
Kate H
9 years ago
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2ajsmama
9 years agojackfre
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Mini Ductless Systems
Comments (15)I'm also interested in a mini-split for a small bedroom I use as a home office. And I do mean small - about 100 square feet. I've been using a 5000 btu window unit. I've never seen a mini-split under 9kbtu, but I've read that the inverter types are smart enough to throttle back when used in small spaces. Also, they supposedly make good heat pumps, which might allow me to use less (or none) of my expensive baseboard electric heat in that room. I called several local HVAC contractors to ask. Most of them had never done a mini-split and didn't want to. The few that had, admitted they hadn't done many. But what really got me was that the few that were interested wanted to charge me over $3000 for an installed unit (a little less than $3k for a cheaper non-inverter type). One guy was very close to $4k, and I figured he probably didn't really want the job. The cost really put me off the idea, especially since a new Chinese-made window unit with a quieter rotary compressor (Frigidaire) is way less than $200. Still, I'm not really in the market for a 3-year-life disposable unit. I'm still interested in mini-split, and recently I ran across an ad for a DIY inverter mini-split. It comes with 25' of pre-charged stainless lines and supposedly you don't need to pull a vacuum or anything, just hook up the lines and go. It's a brand I've never heard of, Americaire. It's more than twice the size I need, 12kbtu (but again it's inverter type). And it's far from cheap; by the time you get done with shipping it's probably close to $2k. My main concern is - When it needs repair, will anyone be able to fix it? Any thoughts? The other approach I've considered is buying a name brand (Sanyo, Mitsu, etc) and doing the installation myself except for refrigerant lines. I can certainly pull the electrical permit and do the wiring, and the rest of it seems to be mostly just cutting a hole in the wall, hanging a moderately heavy evaporator unit (~35lb), and setting and leveling a pad for the condenser unit. But my concern there is - will I be able to find someone who will do the line hookup and connection, or will they say "we install the whole thing, or nothing"? This is especially worrying since there seem to be so few techs in my area who have experience with mini-splits. If anyone has DIYed a mini-split, I'd appreciate hearing how you did it - and maybe more importantly, what you'd do differently if you did it again. Or if you have tips for finding really qualified and affordable installers in a midwestern backwater, I'm all ears. Thanks. Here is a link that might be useful: Americaire DIY mini-split...See MoreCentral vs. ductless?
Comments (4)about SEER: bigger is better. It is a measure of efficiency for AC (not heating so much). Mini-split: Split systems have a physically separate compressor and evaporator/blower. I think it is called 'mini' because it can come in small sizes, like down to the window unit size. This means you can purchase a system for a single room or small space. Tonnage: 1 ton of AC is 12,000 BTUs. Usually, the smallest split system is around 2 tons, with the largest residential units being around 5 tons. I've seen mini-splits as small as 8000 BTUs. A mini-split indoor unit is usually wall-mounted and does a single space. The bigger ones also can be ceiling mounted. For larger spaces, you get multiple wall units. The costs can add up. I've seen that some of the HP versions are rated to fairly low temperatures for a HP. The other number to look at is 'HSPF' which is a measure of heating efficiency....See MoreDuctless Mini-split air conditioning
Comments (2)Thanks for your help, zL700; I like your link for SlimDuct enclosure, much better than my idea for 3"-4" pvc pipe! I plead guilty to a LOT of sharing! Once one reads all the way to the end, my question in the first line was 'history' : "Can anyone support my argument that it is ample to use a dual split unit for just the front two bedroom's? " This would save both cost and a difficult condenser install location. In short: We have a MrSlim MSZ-A17NA single-split 17 Kbtu unit for the 3rd floor finished attic, and a conventional 28 Kbtu ducted unit on the first floor. Our calculated 50 degree day heat loss for the entire house is 48 Kbtu, of which the two rear small bedrooms are only 5 Kbtu each. I have agreed to put in a dual-split 9+9 or 12+12 for the two 2nd floor front bedrooms. Shouldn't this effectively cool the entire 2nd floor? I need technical, experienced opinion to support my desire to avoid having to put in a 3rd condenser in the larger of the two rear bedrooms. Thanks to All - - Old Salt Details were dated SEP 3, 2307 hours....See MoreQuestion on Mr. Slim Split-Ductless Heat Pump
Comments (3)Having had a Mit HP ductless in my vacation home, I have a few comments to share. The unit has its drawbacks such as air noise, certainly less than a thru the wall or window unit but more than a piped in diffuser from a central system. I found it to be a bit annoying but grew used to it. The other drawback was the constant air movement that some would perceive as a draft. With the air moving a properly sized unit should distribute the heat fairly well as the wall units discharge down and have an air sweep option. No doubt the elect baseboard will be the quietist more and comfortable for heating; however it comes at a cost (energy use over a HP) Another option if you are going to heat electrically is to consider electric radiant heat mats installed under the tile. This will keep the floors warm, at or below the cost of operating the baseboard but add 10X the comfort and would be supplemented with the fireplace. For AC you could still go with a ductless or quality through the wall unit. Here is a link that might be useful: one type of electric floor radiant...See More2ajsmama
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