Mr. Cool Advantage Mini Split Heat pump/AC

[monster318]

Hello,
My wife is a Pastor at our local church, the church council is throwing around the idea of installing a mini split AC unit with heat pump for this upcoming season. They are looking at putting in The Mr. Cool Advantage system (not the DIY system), which is sold by home depot and lowes, because it is considerably cheaper than a Mitsubishi unit. The church council asked my opinion on it and I recommended going with a Mitsubishi or Fujitsu since Fujitsu is like Mitsubishi's generic line. They got some prices and were unhappy with both of those options. They continue to insist on Mr. Cool unit and are getting ready to put in for a vote on it this upcoming week.

Home depot and Lowes websites have very good reviews on these units but I believe in the long run they would be better off with a name brand unit for service or parts but other than that I dont really have a considerable argument for them to choose one over the other.

Does anyone have one of these Mr. Cool units installed and have any feedback about it?

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I installed a DIY 18k about a year ago at my hunting/fishing camp and I love it so far , it heats and cools the 800 square foot area easily and you barely notice it on the light bill , probably the most impressive thing is how quiet it is, even in the turbo mode with the fan wide open for quick cool down. At this point I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one , mine came from Costco as they had the best price and it really was easy to install on my own because nobody really wanted to do the job of installing an A/C unit on my camp for less than $4000.00 , I did it and only had about $1400.00 in the whole deal, I know this isn't the model you were asking about but I can attest for the quality of Mr Cool units as a whole, they aren't junk. Good luck to you guys whatever you decide on.

 

[monster318]

Thank you for your input. As long as these will be a solid unit for at least a few years I have no problem with the church going with Mr Cool. As the pastors husband though, I will be the one on the phone with tech support on the hottest Sunday of the year when/if something were to happen with it so I am trying to make sure that day hopefully would come later rather than sooner.

From what research I have done, the Advantage system vs the DIY system difference is the line set doesn’t come precharged. So I will need to vac the Lineset & evaporator down prior to releasing the refrigerant from the compressor to the lines & evaporator. Which I am capable of doing.

 

[GSVette]

I have the DIY 36k BTU unit in my 2400 SF shop building-it does a good job of heating (now that the insulation is finished). Did have an infant mortality issue with the outside unit ( at about 6 months)-unit was replaced under warranty with minimal fuss.

Overall I’m pretty happy with the Mr Cool- I have a Mitsubishi unit at my house-the Mr Cool is as quiet and cools/heats as well as the Mitsubishi unit-and has features that the Mitsubishi unit doesn’t (Freeze protection and Turbo to mention two I found important).

 

[BoylermanCT]

I helped my brother install a Mr. Cool 18K DIY unit two years ago. He's been very happy with it. He bought it for the AC, but has come to like it even more for the heat in winter. I'm looking at getting a couple for my house.

 

[Sigarms]

Hello,
My wife is a Pastor at our local church, the church council is throwing around the idea of installing a mini split AC unit with heat pump for this upcoming season. They are looking at putting in The Mr. Cool Advantage system (not the DIY system), which is sold by home depot and lowes, because it is considerably cheaper than a Mitsubishi unit. The church council asked my opinion on it and I recommended going with a Mitsubishi or Fujitsu since Fujitsu is like Mitsubishi's generic line. They got some prices and were unhappy with both of those options. They continue to insist on Mr. Cool unit and are getting ready to put in for a vote on it this upcoming week.

Home depot and Lowes websites have very good reviews on these units but I believe in the long run they would be better off with a name brand unit for service or parts but other than that I dont really have a considerable argument for them to choose one over the other.

Does anyone have one of these Mr. Cool units installed and have any feedback about it?

I consider myself pretty familiar with Mitsubishi, Fujitsu and Daikin. FYI, the Fujitsu line is more comparable to the high end Mitsubishi FH unit rather than Mitsubsihi's cheaper WR/HM line.

1 - Don't give your opinion to a church council looking at spending money, nothing good will come of it particularly if your wife is the pastor LOL

2 - Was a load calculation done for the area being serviced by the mini split or just guessing by square footage? (which leads to the question of how many people will be in the area serviced by the mini split?)

3 - Is there supplimental heating and cooling in the area that is going to be serviced by the mini split?

4 - If the asnwer is no to #3, exactly how many BTU's of heating will you require from the mini split at what outdoor temperature as well as how many BTU's of cooling will you need at what outdoor temperature?

You aren't paying for SEER rating when it comes to mini splits, but low ambient cooling and high capacity heating capabilities. A 24,000 BTU/h Mitsubishi WR series will only give you 15,462 BTU/h of heat at 23F outside air temp and only 12,903 BTU/h of heat at 14F degree outside air temp where as the Fujitsu 9RLSY 9,000 BTU/h unit will give you 15,400 BTU/h of heat at 5F outside air temp.

Generally, the nominal tonnage of the model number from the mini split manufacuturer only represents the rated cooling capacity at 95F outside air temperature at an 80F dry bulb indoor temperature.

I'd also check the warranty being it's being installed in a commercial application. It always amazes me how churches have no issue lying because then it becomes a "residential warranty" which is generally longer, at least with Mitsubishi and Fujitsu.

That said, it appears Mr. Cool has a 2 year parts warranty, 1 year compressor, so I'm guessing it doesn't matter where the unit is installed...

Advantage Limited Warranty – MRCOOL

My only concearn is if the unit is bought at Home Depot, where do you order the parts down the road if you need them? Direct from the manufacturer? I wouldn't want to think you'd want to go to home depot due to the potential aggravation.

 

[3Ts]

I did a DIY installation on an LG system because I couldn't see paying $2000 for the tech to come out and vacuum the lines and release the Freon. The installation process is not that hard. The hardest part for us was to get the 35# indoor unit's pigtail of 3 pipes thru the 3" hole in the wall. The critical factor seems to be to ensure the lines are vacuumed down to 300 um and to hold it for awhile. My system has been running several years now and has only needed to have the indoor fan replaced because the bearings went out and got to noisy for my wife. From what I've read, all the mini-splits are pretty much the same. In talking to the local HVAC contractors one will say my LG system is a good one, another will say it's crap. I selected the LG partly because the reviews seemed to be reasonably good and a local HVAC contractor carried the line and shortly after I bought it, he quit and went with another make.

I know this doesn't address your specific question about Mr. Cool, but maybe it'll help with an additional data point in the decision.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Monster 318, If I remember correctly the warranty on the DIY series is 5 years on all parts and 7 on the compressor, but on the Advantage series it has to be installed by a licensed A/C contractor for the warranty to be honored, just happened to think about you wanting to install it yourself, double check me on that but I am pretty sure I remember it to be that way.

 

[Sigarms]

Monster 318, If I remember correctly the warranty on the DIY series is 5 years on all parts and 7 on the compressor, but on the Advantage series it has to be installed by a licensed A/C contractor for the warranty to be honored, just happened to think about you wanting to install it yourself, double check me on that but I am pretty sure I remember it to be that way.

It appears you're correct...



This however does confuse my simple mind per the DIY series warranty...



What's confusing is that it states that "State certified or licensed HVAC contractor not required for warranty on the DIY series unit". HOWEVER, it also states that the defective parts must be returned to the distributor through a registered servicing dealer for credit. The only way I can see a "registered servicing dealer" returning a part back for credit is if they are paid for their time somehow. But then who issues the credit on the part and to whom is the credit issued to? I don't know, do you have to buy the warranty part up front first?

 

[GSVette]

My experience with warranty coverage on the outside unit entailed me doing some tests with a VOM and submitting them to the technical support folks. After seeing those results ( which were normal and ruled out some possible causes), Technical support requested verification of refrigerant quantity and operating pressures-which I wasn’t able to do so I brought in a local HVAC tech to do the testing and document the results which I submitted to Technical support who then initiated a warranty replacement of the outside unit. I was not asked to return the defective outside unit-which I still haven’t decided what to do with

Additional note-I bought mine from an on line HVAC dealer.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

It appears you're correct...

View attachment 657153

This however does confuse my simple mind per the DIY series warranty...

View attachment 657154

What's confusing is that it states that "State certified or licensed HVAC contractor not required for warranty on the DIY series unit". HOWEVER, it also states that the defective parts must be returned to the distributor through a registered servicing dealer for credit. The only way I can see a "registered servicing dealer" returning a part back for credit is if they are paid for their time somehow. But then who issues the credit on the part and to whom is the credit issued to? I don't know, do you have to buy the warranty part up front first?

When I filled out for the warranty after installing mine , I was curious how it would work so I decided to call the help line to see if a real person answered or if it was going to be a recording, much to my surprise a real person answered the phone and appeared to be pretty knowledgable about troubleshooting and A/C work in general, he told me that if I ever had a problem to just call them on the phone and they would walk me thru a series of test's to determine the problem if a code wasn't already showing what the problem was, so hopefully that's how it will work the day a problem comes up, I do know someone else who after several years had a problem with his and it was showing some sort of code and they sent him the replacement part and walked him thru the repair, with no questions asked. On a side note I have looked at several different brands and they all look like clones, if they didn't have the name stamped on them you couldn't tell one from another. Oh and I believe the registered servicing dealer is a company out of Kentucky and they handle all warranty issues on DIY Series and that's where the guy I talked to on the phone said he was.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Thank you for your input. As long as these will be a solid unit for at least a few years I have no problem with the church going with Mr Cool. As the pastors husband though, I will be the one on the phone with tech support on the hottest Sunday of the year when/if something were to happen with it so I am trying to make sure that day hopefully would come later rather than sooner.

From what research I have done, the Advantage system vs the DIY system difference is the line set doesn稚 come precharged. So I will need to vac the Lineset & evaporator down prior to releasing the refrigerant from the compressor to the lines & evaporator. Which I am capable of doing.

You did not mention nitrogen purge during brazing. That is a must do; prevents the copper oxide scale from forming, it will do a number on compressor bearings and plug small orifices like capillary tubes or expansion valves. Only a 2 stage vacuum pump will remove all the air and moisture. I usually run it at least 12 hours (overnight). Unit like my SIL (I recommended against it but price won out) and I are installing soon does not even have a dryer with it and is not pre-charged. Many many years ago I installed the DIY types for Sears and it was a real problem messing with where to put extra tubing. Cutting would have voiced the warranty.

I talked to a service tech friend awhile back and he stated that his company stays with Mitsibushi as it is the only product they can rely on to not have call many

backs they have to eat or get low pay warranty labor for (way below there tech book cost). A dealer never wins on call back and unhappy customers. My church wanted me to install some new condensing units but I declined quickly as I knew if I did it I was on the hook for future problems. They bought the bullet, partly with my donation.

LOL, Ron

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Monster 318, If I remember correctly the warranty on the DIY series is 5 years on all parts and 7 on the compressor, but on the Advantage series it has to be installed by a licensed A/C contractor for the warranty to be honored, just happened to think about you wanting to install it yourself, double check me on that but I am pretty sure I remember it to be that way.

That is a real common warranty caveat. Also: a lot of repair contractors will not service a DIY installed unit especially if they also sell that brand; future parts can be a problem of no stock in US, have to order from China on the slow boat.

Ron

 

[fatjay]

24 BTU Mini Split Air Conditioner COOL ONLY Ductless 23V INNOVAIR 21 SEER | eBay

I bought and installed that myself. Electric is easy enough, bought a vacuum pump and set of ac gauges off amazon and pulled vacuum, then released the freon into the lines. Never done anything like that but honestly it was easy. The hardest part of the whole process was drilling a 3" hole through the block of my house. I'm going to get another for my garage.

 

[kenmac]

24 BTU Mini Split Air Conditioner COOL ONLY Ductless 23V INNOVAIR 21 SEER | eBay

I bought and installed that myself. Electric is easy enough, bought a vacuum pump and set of ac gauges off amazon and pulled vacuum, then released the freon into the lines. Never done anything like that but honestly it was easy. The hardest part of the whole process was drilling a 3" hole through the block of my house. I'm going to get another for my garage.

How many microns did you pull to ?

 

[fatjay]

How many microns did you pull to ?

I don't know, I don't have a micron gauge. I was told to leave it for 15 minutes. I left it for 45min, closed it off, let it sit for 2 hours to make sure the guage didn't move so I was confident I didn't have any leaks. Then opened the system and released the freon as it was precharged for up to 25' of line. I figure the worst case scenario i have to call an ac guy to properly vacuum it and recharge it which I had already priced at about $400. I bought a vacuum and gauges off amazon for $100, a kit to hide the wires for i think $70. 30a double pole breaker but it was right on the other side of the wall from my electrical box.

 

[Sigarms]

I don't know, I don't have a micron gauge.

LMAO!

This is why I don't give professional advice in my own trade on a publicly read internet forum.

My own house. Started the job at around 0800 on the weekend. These two pics were taken around midnight that same day.

 

[4570Man]

LMAO!

This is why I don't give professional advice in my own trade on a publicly read internet forum.

My own house. Started the job at around 0800 on the weekend. These two pics were taken around midnight that same day.

View attachment 658853View attachment 658854

I’m not an AC guy so laugh if you want to but I thought microns was a particle size measurement and inches of mercury was a vacuum measurement?

 

[4570Man]

While we’re in the subject of AC does anyone know much about vehicle ACs? The AC on my suburban was only working decent last fall. About 60 degrees at the vents was the best it would do. I hooked up a set if gauges and the high side and low side pressure checked good. In the process of that one of the fittings didn’t seal and it leaked down. It’s not been very hot since then so I haven’t messed with it. I’ve got a new fitting to screw in it and I’ve got a vacuum pump to vacuum it down but that still doesn’t fix the barley working problem. It’s been since last fall when I was working on it but I don’t recall seeing any frost buildup on the outside hoses like there’s an obstruction.

 

[Sigarms]

I’m not an AC guy so laugh if you want to but I thought microns was a particle size measurement and inches of mercury was a vacuum measurement?

How are microns on a vacuum gauge measured?

So if you're not an AC guy and you were asked what did you pull your vacuum down to per microns, what do you say and how did you measure it?

I get it. Same token, if you're asked what your static pressure is (not pertaining on a mini split) what do you say? If you're asked what your CFM's are, what do you say, and how are you measuring it?

The issue with HVAC systems are that they aren't like a "plug and play" like a refrigerator or dishwasher.

Lot of work goes into designing peroper ductwork and CFM's.

The issue is people view ductless mini splits at "plug and play" per buying online.