Ductless home AC

[8mpg]

Id say one big part where these things shine is their efficiency. Only cooling/heating one room that you are using. They usually efficient models being 15-22 seer. Lots of them run variable speeds, etc

[Torinoman]

I found a 36K BTU 2-room setup (with heat pump) for $2400...you can figure about $300 for a third evap unit, so I'd say about $2700, maybe a little more. That's out the door price though, I was going to install mine myself.

For my 1800 square foot one story I can almost get a totally new system for that much.... I think

Id say one big part where these things shine is their efficiency. Only cooling/heating one room that you are using. They usually efficient models being 15-22 seer. Lots of them run variable speeds, etc

But the option to cool the bedrooms seperately from the house is nice. I like it cool at night to sleep but cooling the entire house at night is stupid. I could cool the room instead of the entire house at night.

Would I ever recoup the costs from it though? Any idea what something like this might do for my electric bill?

[kingjason]

I like the idea because if one goes down you are not out AC in the entire house. Plus replacing one VS replacing a system would be cheaper. Easier on the ole bank accounts.

[Sgt Beavis]

These things have been very common in Japan for decades. Central AC is almost unheard of and these are preferred to window units for some reason. My wife's family has one in their house. We had them family housing at Camp Zama, when I was in the Army.

They work great IMO. Mitsubishi seems to be the market dominator.

[KBScobravert]

These things have been very common in Japan for decades. Central AC is almost unheard of and these are preferred to window units for some reason. My wife's family has one in their house. We had them family housing at Camp Zama, when I was in the Army.

They work great IMO. Mitsubishi seems to be the market dominator.

The United States is about the only place I have been where central a/c in the house is the norm. Most of the rest of the world uses split unit designs.

We have used a 2 ton unit to cool my 900 sqft garage for 6 years. The only problems I have had have been the cheap remotes (thank god for the manual on/off hidden behind the cover) and the installation didn't set the drain at enough angle.

I can turn it on (74*) and with a few fans, have the garage cool enough for us to workout when it is near 100* outside.

[8mpg]

For my 1800 square foot one story I can almost get a totally new system for that much.... I think



But the option to cool the bedrooms seperately from the house is nice. I like it cool at night to sleep but cooling the entire house at night is stupid. I could cool the room instead of the entire house at night.

Would I ever recoup the costs from it though? Any idea what something like this might do for my electric bill?

I think if you are replacing an a/c system because it needs to be replaced, yes. I dont think you will ever recoup the money replacing a good system.

That being said, I dont like the looks and wouldnt want a mini-split system in my house. Mitsubishi makes a "multi-city" unit that they run for commercial applications that uses a standard ducted system with air handlers. Their larger (4ton) I believe can run something like 8 different zones so you can really divide out into individual living spaces. The Mitsubishi systems are also variable refrigerant so they can go down to 20% or so up to 100% depending on system demand. The condenser is super quiet too.

[01-GATOR]

Here in Costa Rica we have them in every room in the house. I really like them because it saves on electricity.

They are the norm here even in government offices and businesses

[FATHERFORD]

I know several people with them. They all love them.

When I finish my addition to my house it's going to be all ductless.

[Rreemo]

For my 1800 square foot one story I can almost get a totally new system for that much.... I think?

Yeah, probably just a little bit more if you just replace your existing inside and outside units with something new. That was my main reason for steering away from them....my shop is 1500sqft, and its insulated well with foam, but a large open space with a 14' ceiling, and still a metal building....so I figured I'd play it safe and over-do it a little. On a buddy deal I got a 4-ton Trane split system with a heat pump for right at $1K more than what I was looking at with these systems. But now the split system has spiral tube with multiple vents and a couple intakes to disperse much better. Of course, keep in mind..one of my best friends owns an AC business and he got me the equipment at his cost, and the labor is just he & I and some beers.

I think like already said here...it all depends on the space you have and how you are looking to have it installed.

[Doug Hatton]

Rreemo, I need a buddy deal on a 1.5ton mini-split with a/c and heat for my 600sq. ft garage! Hook it up!

[Green-Jimmy]

I know this is an old thread... 2 questions:

These split-unit types, I assume they offer some amount of dehumidification, and does that require a drain hose?

How well do these portable 12,000 BTU floor models work? I know they require a vent hose.

My garage is 24 x 26 attached, 9' ceiling. Was thinking 2 of these portable types might work, but would like opinions.

[HarrisonTX]

My old man built a 50x60 shop with a small apartment inside for himself and his wife. They have two systems and he loves them. He plans to eventually build a home in front of the shop and he recently said he will probably i install these rather than a traditional ducted system

[S_K]

I know this is an old thread... 2 questions:

These split-unit types, I assume they offer some amount of dehumidification, and does that require a drain hose?

How well do these portable 12,000 BTU floor models work? I know they require a vent hose.

My garage is 24 x 26 attached, 9' ceiling. Was thinking 2 of these portable types might work, but would like opinions.

Yes, all AC units require a drain. Portable ones have a tank that you manually have to dump. The portable units work OK if you can direct the cool air to where you are working and exhaust the hot air to the outside.
I did a lot of work in an airplane hangar. We had a simple window unit on a cart with a piece of flex-duct. Stick the hose in the cockpit and that sucker would go from 120+ degrees to 72 degrees in about half an hour.

[Green-Jimmy]

Do you think ducting the hot air up a hose into the attic would be ok? There it could escape through attic venting / sofits. I don't imagine using this all the time; I just for 2-3 weeks straight and then the occasional weekend here and there.

[S_K]

Do you think ducting the hot air up a hose into the attic would be ok? There it could escape through attic venting / sofits. I don't imagine using this all the time; I just for 2-3 weeks straight and then the occasional weekend here and there.

I don't see why that wouldn't work.