Best mini-spit heat pump?

[MacLawn]

I've installed these myself in our houses in Japan, where they originate. Mitsubishi, Sharp, Fujitsu, Daikin, Toshiba, a few other Japanese makers I'm forgetting, but I've had all these. Five in our last house in Japan. The quietness comes because houses are so close together in Japan, and quiet is a priority, so Japanese engineers make them quiet. As for which brand is the best quality, I don't know, except our Sharp lasted over 20 years and was still going strong when we stored it there. In Japan, Daikin is noted as being one of the best makes. For me, I would NOT get a Chinese, or Korean make! Just me. Even though nowadays, even a Mitsubishi is not likely to be Made in Japan, just like US goods here, US make, but Hecho en Chine.

Last time I moved mine in Japan, I foolishly let all the coolant escape, then when I had them reinstalled in new house, Japanese ac man showed me how to install a precharged unit without loosing coolant! Very simple. I'm mechanical, but know about nothing on heat pumps, but even I installed them with no problem. Now, about the warranty having a pro do the install - that would probably be worth it to me now. Unless I just install one unit in my office/shop.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I have two Samsung units. Both remote control with digital display and all sorts of features I don't use. I leave them both on 71 and they do the rest. I am friends with an hvac guy who works at trane supply. I got them for half price.

They are no brazed fittings but flared. You should mineral oil those fittings and use proper wrenches to tighten because they will leak if you don't.

I installed them myself on the second floor by building a deck and carrying them up the ladder. The outside units are about 75 lbs. The deck uses chains to hold it up and sort of looks like a moat door.

The hardest part was drilling through the concrete wall on a 24ft ladder. Also make sure the drains are done properly.

They are whisper silent inside and out. You can't hear the outside unit even on the ladder standing right in front of them. They have special shaped fans with out of phase balancing or something to make all sounds go away.

About 2 years now or 3. I've been very satisfied and I'm in South coastal GA where it's hotter than anywhere else. Always 71 in my two rooms. Heat works well too but we rarely need it.

Thanks for the tip on using mineral oil to lube the flare. It occurs to me that I need to look and make sure that my venerable old auto-tech flaring tool can make a 1/2" single flare. I've never made a single flare let alone used copper before as brake lines all require double flares with steel lines!

I started running the 30A 220 today. I haven't gotten my disconnect box or the surge protector, so both ends are not hooked up yet. One lesson I learned: look at how big 10-3 is wire before throwing down on the size of the electrical conduit because I struggled pulling 10-3 through two 90 degree bends in 3/4" PVC on the outside of my house!

I also decided to get a couple of disposable nitrogen tanks so when I pull vacuum and check for leaks on my flares, I'll fill with N2 and then pull vacuum again to make sure I got the moisture out.

I have not yet ordered the mini-split but it looks like comfort.com has the best price on the mini-split I'm thinking about getting.

 

[hslogger]

We have been running Mitsubishi mini splits in our house for about four years now. Up until then strictly wood heat, wood furnace, wood stove.
We have four indoor units and have been really pleased with their performance. We hired out the installs. When placing them, remember you NEED to get to them a few times a year to clean the filters. So it is important to consider that.

 

[C4Ranch]

Don't forget to drill the outside hole at an angle. When they installed mine, they also poured a cup of water in the inside unit tray to confirm proper drain.

 

[Woodeye]

I have a Panasonic mini split in my office, AC works great and silent. The heat on the other hand is a problem at 10F or colder, little to none.

 

[GManBart]

I have a Panasonic mini split in my office, AC works great and silent. The heat on the other hand is a problem at 10F or colder, little to none.

Most standard units have a low temp for heat in the 7-10F. Some units can work down to around -13F, but they cost more.

 

[newbury]

I just bought a new 8K window a/c unit for $110 from Staples. Quick lookup on the web indicates a cool only mini-split about that size would be about $1,000 or more plus installation.

What makes a min-split worth almost 10 times more?

/edit - I'm mainly wondering about the value as a supplement to a primary system.

 

[C4Ranch]

I replaced my window units with a 4 zone mini split. Sooo quiet and has a heat pump. Works just like a central air but no duct work...

 

[PAGUY]

As I got older found that placing window units in and out got to be a hassle plus the storage.
Mini-splits are a god send. Perfect for all around conditions during the four seasons in PA.
I have three units ( 12K BTUs each unit) that can cool down the whole house during the hottest days of summer.
I usually use them individually where needed and especially at night for comfortable sleeping.
Only mistake I made was not installing one unit directly in kitchen as I have two 6 foot windows and a double hung that face south. I've been thinking of having installer come back and add another unit there. Other than that it was the best investment I could make for my retirement years.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Question:

What's the best way to secure the compressor down? Should I be good just screwing it down to the wooden stand I've made or should I get some ribber feet for damping vibration?

For what it is worth, I went with the Mitsubishi MZ-FH18NA2 which is 21 SEER and supposed to be able to throw heat out down to -13 F. Not good enough for heating in northern MN but I want efficient as energy is very expensive since were forced to pay extra for alternative energy projects in MN that don't work.

I also picked up a 20 pound bottle and filled it with nitrogen for testing connections and the triple drying procedure I've heard Mitsubishi wants to have done.