Mini Split Reliability

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I've heard some nay say these things, also saying parts and repairs are high.

I'm wondering if those here would care to comment how long they have had theirs? Any problems? What brand?

Also, how well do they heat? Like, do they heat down to 32F decently?

I've read where it is important to get them off the ground to stay cleaner. Install them on a shelf with brackets.

 

[pjigar]

I have 5 of them. Unbranded with Mitsubishi inverter two stage compressor. Each unit was around 1000 bucks. I plan to replace them when they break. I installed them myself so labor is free!

We have only been using them for few months. They keep warm fine as long as you keep running them even during the snow storm we had. Expect to pay more electricity bill than gas heating. They should shine in cooling.

I installed them on a plastic pad so they can drain well when in heat pump mode.

Plan to install heaters in bathrooms and walk in closets.

 

[deezler]

I have a 30k BTU fujitsu halcyon as our main A/C and backup heating. The unit and system itself has been perfectly reliable for 6 years now, BUT, we did have a refrigerant leak that no HVAC company could find. Got a few opinions before spending $1k just to evacuate and recharge it. Working well again now, but we'll see for how long.

As far as heating efficiency goes - it does really struggle when the outdoor temps go below ~20f. We never use it when it's that cold out, since our primary heat is the woodstove. But I've tested it during cold snaps, and it really struggles. It kinda makes sense though, you are trying to extract heat from frigid outdoor air and add 50-60 degrees into your house. Versus A/C mode when you max out at around 30f of temperature difference.

 

[Bocephous]

We've had a single zone 15K BTU Fujitsu Halcyon DC Inverter unit for about 10 months now. Heating and cooling are both excellent, no issues so far. We heat mainly with coal/wood (Harman Mark 3 in basement) but the Fujitsu did a good job this winter as an auxiliary source of heat. Electric bills are significantly lower than they were with a window unit (12K BTU) A/C and baseboard electric heat in an auxiliary role, by $20-30/monthly by my best estimate.

 

[GSVette]

Mitsubishi unit at house has been running in auto mode for more than 9 years without a hiccup.

36k btu Mr. Cool had an infant mortality failure on outside unit 2 months after install. Warranty replacement has performed flawlessly for over a year now.

 

[RalphVa]

Have had our Fujisu units since about 2014 after I sat in the basement in the winter of 2013 in front of space heaters while recovering from congestive heart failure. Work fine at all temps here in central Va. Got one outside unit servicing 2 inside units. Think 1 outside can service up to about 7 inside units. Absolutely no problems. Wife cleans the inside unit filters about every 2 or 3 months. These have no backup.

Our upstairs newest duct type Carrier heat pump runs on heat pump only all the time. Need it to because of the generator. On the old unit, we had an electronic system to keep the backup electric coil from coming on when the generator was on. This newer, more efficient heat pump runs without backup and keeps upstairs warm.

Not so with older 4 ton Carrier unit. The family room with monster front window and sliding doors on back wall to deck and 2 skylights cannot be heated with heat pump only.

 

[3Ts]

I have an 18K LG unit that is the only source for heating and cooling. The recent cold wave here in Texas saw 0.0*F at our house and the mini-split did fine. Kept interior temps around 70*F. I did the installation my self and it's been trouble free for 7 years. The only thing we've done is replace the interior fan because the bearings were noisy. Cost about $100 which included the travel & labor for an HVAC company to swap it out.

Note: If you install it yourself, you must use a digital vacuum gauge and really evacuate the lines really good! You should plan on the better part of a day to do the vacuum.

 

[310-510]

I have 10 Senville units. DIY. 4 units are bracket / wall mounted with 6 ground mounted. Over 3 years and only 1 trouble. At the cost, I just changed out the unit. While removing the unit, the location of the freon leak was discovered. The unit is now my spare. The units work great when the temperature is between 28 and 118. Might work great in a wider temperature range but that is about the temperature range witnessed/

 

[Sigarms]

I have 5 of them. Unbranded with Mitsubishi inverter two stage compressor. Each unit was around 1000 bucks. I plan to replace them when they break. I installed them myself so labor is free!

As far as I'm aware of, there is no such thing as a inverter two stage compressor.

 

[Sigarms]

I've heard some nay say these things, also saying parts and repairs are high.

I'm wondering if those here would care to comment how long they have had theirs? Any problems? What brand?

Also, how well do they heat? Like, do they heat down to 32F decently?

For parts availabilty go with Daikin, Fujitsu and Mitsubishi.

You're smart asking about the heating requirements as there are no strip heaters in mini splits anymore. Any competent HVAC contractor should be able to let you know exactly what you're getting with any model from any manufacturer.