Mini split questions?

[Sigarms]

Not sure ductless are good for your lowest temps.

A 15K AC ductless mini split can give you 16,000 BTU/h of heating down to -15F outside air temperature. Keep in mind, there are no strip heaters in mini splits anymore (long time ago, there were LOL).

Keep in mind, the key is knowing which system you need LOL

Exactly what are your parameters for "your lowest temps", and what are your expectations for heat?

 

[Carl_NH]

Sigarms,

I agree on all your points, and each installation/situation is different, and also agree geothermal is a great for new builds with land or water source for thermal exchange.

We have FHW Oil for primary heat and HW, and installed two ductless units in the house, one upstairs bedroom, loft area 900 SF, mostly for summer cooling, and a 12K downstairs in a 32x32 area for summer cooling and supplemental heat in the winter. We have 32x52 downstairs area which is "conditioned" in the summer - meaning the mini split cools the main area to 72-75* and keeps the rest of the house cool/comfortable.

in the 1000 SF detached heated garage / open concept office the 9K Hyper heat unit replaced an older Monitor kerosene unit for heat and ac as needed - this unit is probably undersized but maintains the space well unless the temp outside is below zero or above 90.

All are the Mitsubishi hyper heat models with no heating element in the pan.

Bottom line, for the OP, with 5 bedrooms to heat/cool, a distributed mini split system is a good solution once an HVAC assessment is done on current state.

 

[IXLR8]

Tell me at least if someone sold you on Mitsubishi, someone at least offered you the MHK1 or newer MHK2 thermostat (should be a standard add on with ANY Mitsubishi system offered by a contractor IMO).

I am about to have a Mitsubishi multi zone mini-split system put in my workshop/garage. There was no mention of the MHK1 or 2 thermostats. What is the list price for that add-on and what does that buy you? I have been using the handheld remote in my other Mitsubishi mini-split system for the last 10 years with no issues/complaints.

 

[npalen]

We are using a Lennox one ton mini-split on our 12'x14' sunroom in NC Kansas. I quickly found that the controller/thermostat supplied with the unit was less than adequate for controlling temp as it would allow several degrees of temp swings.

Replaced the original supplied controller with the Cielo and now able to control temp within one degree if desired.

https://smile.amazon.com/Cielo-Breez-Conditioner-Controller-Temperature/dp/B07MPG1Y23/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2KY5A9OO2YENE&keywords=cielo+controller&qid=1643125733&sprefix=cielo%2Caps%2C1811&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFaTDdLRk9CNkdKVkEmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA0MzAzNjIzTFpKM0xCNlZBVUNDJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4OTYyNTgzNzhOREg1SFlKWVpHJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

[Carl_NH]

I am about to have a Mitsubishi multi zone mini-split system put in my workshop/garage. There was no mention of the MHK1 or 2 thermostats. What is the list price for that add-on and what does that buy you? I have been using the handheld remote in my other Mitsubishi mini-split system for the last 10 years with no issues/complaints.

The MHK2 as far as I see are a remote wall mount thermostat wifi enabled that replaces the internal thermostat - its a $350-400 option. This seems expensive for a remote thermostat, but let's see what Sigarms says on the topic!

I too have the handheld remotes with no complaints.

 

[Sigarms]

The MHK2 as far as I see are a remote wall mount thermostat wifi enabled that replaces the internal thermostat - its a $350-400 option. This seems expensive for a remote thermostat, but let's see what Sigarms says on the topic!

I too have the handheld remotes with no complaints.

The MHK2 is not WiFi. It uses Honeywell's propriatary wireless RedLINK technology.

The advantage is you do not have to run any wires to the indoor unit and can mount the thermostat anywhere. It's also a very basic "simple" thermostat with easy to see arrows that pretty much anyone can understand.

It's great that you have no complaints about your remote controller, however I've found for older people, they can find the handheld remote controller very confusing (the Japaneese finally got over using a snowflake and the sun which everyone had a hard time figuring out which was which and for what mode LOL). Please note, generally from my own experience, some brands are more "complex" per their remote controller. Deal with enough people, and over time you'll also get calls that for God only knows how, the remote controller is/was lost.

If you're going to spend good money on a good contractor who knows what he's doing, personally I find the pricing you given is way to high for a MHK2 install.

 

[Carl_NH]

I've found for older people, they can find the handheld remote controller very confusing (the Japanese finally got over using a snowflake and the sun which everyone had a hard time figuring out which was which and for what mode LOL).

Yes, I agree, the sun and the snowflake ARE confusing! I read the manual and then "set it and forget it" more or less, other than my wife knows the "up" temp button in the winter and "down" in the summer all to well

I used to turn the unit in my office off over the weekend or when on work trips in winter, but for the last two just set and forget it - didn't make a huge difference in cost - maybe $100 for the season at most.

 

[Sigarms]

Yes, I agree, the sun and the snowflake ARE confusing!

The way I see it, when you're dealing with someone over 50 years old, which controller would YOU want?

I'm just getting old. For residential use, I still scratch my head on why someone would want to control their residential HVAC system with their phone.

 

[Carl_NH]

I'm well beyond 50 - will be retirement age this year and I have no issue with the controls!

 

[IXLR8]

The MHK2 is not WiFi. It uses Honeywell's propriatary wireless RedLINK technology.


If you're going to spend good money on a good contractor who knows what he's doing, personally I find the pricing you given is way to high for a MHK2 install.

That price, $350-$400, is the price that I am seeing online for the MHK2 unit. Does there need to be a base unit wired to the air handler to communicate with the MHK2 unit? I asked my dealer and he quoted me $350 for the MHK2 unit, plus installation costs of $50. I am going to pass on the MHK2. I got out a permanent marker and wrote short hand notes the handheld remote controller so I know if I'm in 'snow' mode or 'sun' mode.
Sigarms: Thank you for taking the time to provide your thoughts and input on this.