Baby, It's Cold Outside, But Let's Talk A/C

[Diggin It]

Is it too early to talk about AC units?

I'm in the market for something. The 6K window shaker I have is several years old and not terribly efficient any more. I can't do central or heat pumps or anything similar for a number of reasons. Mini splits might be an option, but even the less expensive ones are close to a grand, plus installation. I know many of them are self install, but I don't have the gauges or evac tools required and I have concrete block walls to deal with.

Most of the window shakers I see don't have a fan that pulls in outside air for those cool nights. They usually only have a recirculation fan which doesn't help much. The one I have is narrow enough that I was able to rig up a way to let outside air in beside it when I want to.

So, bopping around the web this morning, I see this thing:

Midea MAW08V1QWT


8K BTU with a 15 SEER that looks like a self contained mini-split type gizmo. Let's you open and close the window as needed.

Probably not what I'll go with, but interesting.

Still looking. I need a remote too with auto-temp and timer settings which my 6K has.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I just installed a Daikin 15K ductless heat pump in my garage / workshop. It has a full featured remote control and timer. I hung the outside unit on brackets mounted to the block wall. I punched a 3" hole through the block with a hammer & chisel and mounted the indoor unit on the other side of the same wall. The unit comes pre-charged with gas and I rented a gauge set & vacuum pump from a local tool rental business.

The unit does not bring in outside air, it just recirculates. If I want fresh air, I open a window.

The project cost $2800 and took me 1 1/2 days to do. Smaller 7K units are available and are much cheaper. If you're handy with tools, it isn't that hard a job. The toughest part for me was getting the 100# outdoor unit up onto the wall brackets. I used the bucket of my tractor to do the lifting. This can be avoided if you put the unit on a slab at ground level but I didn't want to block the walkway.

 

[kenmac]

there are some mini split systems that don't require lines to be vacuumed.
Mr cool has such a unit. DIY.
Other than that, you're pretty much limited to a window shaker, which would be your cheapest option

 

[ericm979]

You can get an inverter AC window unit. Either U shaped or regular. Basically a cooling only mini split in a single unit.

 

[kenmac]

You can get an inverter AC window unit. Either U shaped or regular. Basically a cooling only mini split in a single unit.

yes, he can. The one he has pictured is, or can be inverter .
Due to efficiency codes, Won't be long, everything will be inverter

 

[ap0915]

I recently self installed a Mr Cool DIY unit. Hardest part of the install was running some romex through the crawl space for a new circuit.

An issue I had the the precharged lineset is that you apparently have to tighten it down, loosen it a turn and then retighten it in order for the valves to open up. Took a phone call to tech support to figure that out since it didn’t say that in the manual.

I’m also getting ready to get one of the LG inverter window units. A little pricey but should be worth the upgrade over a standard window unit.

 

[Jchonline]

there are some mini split systems that don't require lines to be vacuumed.
Mr cool has such a unit. DIY.
Other than that, you're pretty much limited to a window shaker, which would be your cheapest option

The lines are still vacuumed, they are just pre-charged by MrCool. If one ever needed service, they would have to vacuum them again.

 

[kenmac]

The lines are still vacuumed, they are just pre-charged by MrCool. If one ever needed service, they would have to vacuum them again.

correct. Point is, you don't have to vacuum to install

 

[Sigarms]

Due to efficiency codes, Won't be long, everything will be inverter

The biggest equation I think you're missing isn't the actual efficiency rating, but that the the system will be rated at a .5 static vs a .1 static.

 

[ponytug]

The biggest equation I think you're missing isn't the actual efficiency rating, but that the the system will be rated at a .5 static vs a .1 static.

Can you elaborate on this a bit more? Thanks!

All the best,

Peter