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August 3, 2013 at 9:58 am #608516
buddhaheadParticipantI’m considering converting to a ductless mini splits for my home. 3 unit system, does anyone have any recent experience with makes & models. Also recommendations for installers.
August 3, 2013 at 5:59 pm #795323
beefParticipantI’ve got the Mitsubishi Mr. Slim 21K BTU unit with two indoor units – 12K for the main space and 6K for the bedroom.
However, I just had mine installed in June so I have no idea how it will handle the winter. :) I previously had a forced air electric furnace.
Advanced Energy Management installed mine. http://www.aemwa.com/ Quick and efficient. My installation was relatively painless. Some work in the electrical panel. Some conduit work in the attic and some along the house. The outdoor unit was around the back of my house with good access. They showed up at 9am and were done with the install by about 4pm.
Total installed cost about $6k. However check out rebates from Community Power Works and Seattle City Light. I got about $3k in rebates.
I got three estimates. They were all in the same ballpark. I selected AEM because they were pre-approved contractors for both of the programs I got rebates from.
August 3, 2013 at 8:04 pm #795324
Talaki34ParticipantI have a Mr. Slim too. 1 unit for a 740 sq ft house. I do not have any wall insulation and I had my unit installed right before we had the nasty winter (For Seattle)in Jan 2012. 68 Days of service, Dec through Jan and the thermostat set at 70 degrees (Whole house is electric too)the bill came to $101 dollars and some change. Yippee!!!
My installer was MJA Mechanical. Great service.
206-300-1542 Cell
253-631-0774 Office
August 4, 2013 at 8:13 am #795325
FreeRangeAuthorParticipantIn Aug 2012 I had a Fujitsu Halcyon mini-split installed for 2 rooms – 9k BTU per room; 18k BTU outside unit. Got the quote and work done by Accurate Heating and Electrical in White Center – no complaints; $6,000.00. System works great for cooling this summer, cools quickly.
http://www.accurateheatingseattle.com
WINTER: I heat with central gas furnace through air ducts, set the house at 60 degrees. If I want the mini-split rooms warmer I turn on the Fujitsu, to tweak up the rooms.
Just remember, if the outside temp drops below a certain threshold (below freezing) heating will decline or stop from the mini-split system, so always have a backup option (space heaters?).
August 4, 2013 at 12:08 pm #795326
Talaki34ParticipantI was told the same about having an alternate heat source in the bedrooms in case the temperature dips below 30 degrees, but I must say I didn’t lose much function even with the temps outside nearing 20 degrees. I keep the unit free of ice/snow and I do park my car in front of the unit. I don’t know if that helps by keeping the wind off of it.
My unit (12,000 BTU) is set on the south facing side of the house in the living room with two bedrooms, a bathroom and kitchen connecting. Only one bedroom faces the unit. The other bedroom is blocked by a full wall; the bathroom is connected by a doorway not facing the unit and behind the line of the fireplace. My kitchen is directly right of the unit with the laundry room through another doorway not in line with the unit.
Temperature in the bedroom with the full wall is 4 to five degrees cooler than the living room and the laundry room is slightly cooler too. I keep all the doors open to the heat source during the day and only partially closed at night. Right now I do not have any supplemental heating, but when money allows I will have a heat lamp installed in the bathroom and reconnect the two baseboard units in the bedrooms as a precaution.
August 5, 2013 at 1:14 am #795327
Genesee HillParticipantThere have been a couple of prior threads on the mini-splits.
I have a Mitsubishi Slim Guy. One compressor feeding two indoor units. The darn thing is amazing. For both heating and cooling. It worked well even during the ice storm of two years ago. It works so well, I almost never have to turn the second indoor unit on.
Mind-blowing efficient. Mind-blowing air conditioning. Great heat. Of course, for heat, it is not as quick to warm as oil or forced air electric. Perhaps similar to gas. But efficient. The winter two years ago proved its capabilities.
If you are writing from Fargo, North Dakota, the heating, of course, would not work as well when the temps drop below 25 degrees, or so.
100 per cent happy here in West Seattle.
August 5, 2013 at 2:01 am #795328
trickycooljParticipantHow much space do you need for the outdoor unit and does it have to be close to the indoor? I’m a middle of the row townhouse so I have limited exterior wall space. My neighbors on the end unit got one but its placed on the end wall.
August 5, 2013 at 2:02 am #795329
trickycooljParticipantDouble post
August 6, 2013 at 1:50 am #795330
Genesee HillParticipantI think it is time to call a professional installer. The things work great. A common wall in a townhouse would puzzle me. The compressors make some noise, and there is a small amount of vibration.
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