Are Mini Split Air Conditioners Worth It? - Top 5 Pros & Cons
Exact Hyper Heat System That I Will Be Installing: amzn.to/2Oy2VzG
Cooper & Hunter Mini Split Systems: amzn.to/2BbcCkt
In Ceiling Cassette Systems: amzn.to/3eJd2wb
My Favorite Tool: amzn.to/3NIFJuO
Tools Needed for Mini Split Installation:
Yellow Jacket Flaring Tool: amzn.to/3jmU6qM
Open Ended Torque Wrench: amzn.to/32Kew6S
VacuMaster Vacuum Pump: amzn.to/3IaRzNb
Manifold Gauge Set: amzn.to/2E6pwS9
Tools I Recommend: www.amazon.com/shop/benjamins...
Should I buy a mini split AC system? Is a mini split ductless unit better than a regular AC system? How long will a ductless mini split air conditioner heat pump last? These are a few of the questions I answer in this video.
I'll explain 5 reasons why you SHOULD buy and mini split heat pump and also 5 reasons that you SHOULD NOT buy one.
Thanks for watching and subscribing! As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!
Blessings from Minnesota,
Ben
Here is the exact mini split unit that I'll be installing should you guys want to check it out! amzn.to/2Oy2VzG Check out our new tool deals website! We've put a lot of work into it and built it to only show tools with the largest discount for *Knipex, Klein, Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Makita:* deals.benjaminsahlstrom.com/ Also, if you're interested subscribers get *$25 off the Sense Home Energy Monitor* by using code BENJAMIN at checkout: store.sense.com/discount/BENJAMIN
Mitsubishi makes best mini split in US in my opinion and have the best tech support you'll get someone immediately instead of sitting on hold for a hour....
@Corey Fisher I'll get that fixed. Thanks!
John Boy Completely agree with you. Mitsu’s also costs more. You get what you pay for, though. We have been selling Mitsubishi for about 20 years and it is very reliable when installed correctly.
Benjamin Sahlstrom you stated the the mini split remotes acts as a thermostat. I don’t see how in that it cannot have a two way communication with the main unit if the IR is not in line of sight with the unit. Example if the remote is in its holder on an opposing wall. Also, I see only one way communication because it is purely IR and not RF. is this correct? Initially when the unit is powered on the operating temperature is sent to the unit but afterwards the temp would be controlled by the unit. I have also noticed with my unit that there may be a temperature sensor in the condenser unit which sends outside temperature to the unit inside (I could be wrong about that) because when the temperature drops outside it appears to effect the operation of the unit (AC only since I have no need for heat where I live) even though the temperature change outside is not fully realised inside yet. I may be wrong about that but it seems apparent.
DDave Doesnt Stutter since my manual does not say that it has a sensor in it can I test it by aiming a camera at it and recording it for fifteen minutes? I should see an IR indication correct? My indoor unit usually beeps whenever it receives a signal from the remote but I’m assuming it would not beep for this function since I would be hearing an irritating beep every fifteen minutes. Since it sends only the reaffirmation of the temp that would mean the thermostat would still have to be in the main indoor unit.
So worth it. Installed 18,000 btu unit and two head units, one for master bedroom and one for Livingroom below, and is fabulous with heating in the teens and single digits, and cooling in 110 degree weather. Installed in addition because didn’t want bulkhead to cover ducting. No regrets. Easy on the electric bill as well. Brand is Perfectaire btw. I highly recommend.
Did you do the install yourself and do you remember what you paid for everything?
The single most important reason to install a mini-split is that they are way more efficient than a traditional ac system given the variable flow refrigerant nature of the minisplit.
For sure. The way they are able to ramp up and down is seriously impressive.
And after installing 3 multisplit systems in our ranch buildings, I would say two other negatives are that they seem less efficient at humidity removal and it is more difficult/more costly to get cooling or heating into small spaces like bathrooms, laundry rooms, or master closet. I had to install inline duct fans to move conditioned air into these small rooms.
@@jimvano Actually they are very efficient at humidity removal. This is one thing I hope Ben covers in the next video. It is very difficult to size any cooling system without a proper heating and cooling load calculation. If you put a mini-split in a very small space or over size it for a given space the mini-split will satisfy the call for cool way too fast and leave the humidity in the space. This is issue is not a fault of the mini-split.
Great thoughts. Optimally you want your AC system (mini split or traditional) to run in somewhat "long" cycles so that the unit can extract humidity and avoid short cycling. This is why, in my opinion, a slightly undersized unit is better than a slightly oversized one. I believe my main AC system will run for close to 45 minutes per cycle giving it plenty of time to collect and drain away the condensation.
@@BenjaminSahlstrom The best way to run a mini split is to never shut them off. When you look at the specs of a mini split you notice a btu range. A 18000 btu system might have a range of 4000-19000 btu range. Which in my guess is it's better to not undersizen it. You will lose the advantage of a variable speed compressor if you undersized. It will never slow the compressor.
He left out one incredible benefit from split systems. If you go to the Mitsubishi line of split systems, you can find seer ratings that are unheard of, like 33 seer, as opposed to conventional systems. You also get a long warranty on the compressor like 15 years, after properly installed by a licensed installer, you can get an extended warranty over parts and labor! I think this young man means we'll, but has not had the experience in Mitsubishi split systems!
Mini split heat pumps are junk.
@@user-ez9zq3ny8m why do you says such things with a SEER rating like this and a warranty like this??
My heating bill went from 700 a month to 150..that's all you need to know..get one that heats to -20 below..senville 240 volts..they should be paying me for this info..
I got one of the Seville units for a home built in the 1900’s . The tenant said it was their first good winter in the home.
Examples of units that heat and cool. Chicago area resident so need both extremes.
What type of system was it replacing? Also, what type of furnace or heat did you have before, gas, electric, oil, radiator? Thanks for the info, I'd heard these were real money savers on utilities.
No way!?
I have mr cool brand I have nothing but problems with the multi zone type
I had a Mini Split System installed in my home 2 years ago. I had 4 units installed, 3 9k/1 18K Mitsubishi MLZ Ceiling cassettes cause I didn't want to see wall units in every room, or the holes in the wall. I do have a wall unit that I purchased used that cools off my entire basement. After 3 yrs it was low on freon and I had to top it off, otherwise its never given me any issue. I'm having a 4th 9K installed in a couple of days for my kitchen. I installed it over a conventional system because I saw no purpose in air conditioning bedrooms that were unoccupied all day, most days, or cooling an empty living/dining room all night. When there's no one home, the CAC is off I've had zero increase in my electric bill. I LOVE my system and how it works. When its bed time I turn off the Living room unit and turn on the bedroom unit. At 1st I'd turn it on 5 mins before I went to bed to cool off the room. I stopped doing that because cold air comes out with 20-30 seconds of turning on and cools the room in 3-5 mins. the units are whisper quiet. Even though my system provides heat, I prefer to use my gas heated cast iron baseboards in the winter. So far I am 100% satisfied with my mini split system.
😅
Just installed ours in our bedroom since it’s always 12-15 degrees hotter than the rest of the house. I love my mini split. It wasn’t as easy to install for us, because we had to extend the side yard dense to make sure outside unit was safe and covered. But the rest was pretty easy. I can sleep with a quiet unit. We got the Pioneer 110 v
My house is hot water heat with baseboard copper piping. I have a split level house and don't really "live" in the lower so it's divided into two zones. We live in NE Wisconsin so see REAL winters for at least 3 months out of the year. Since we don't have forced air, a traditional A/C unit wasn't possible really. We bought a mini split with heat and it's been great. It'll heat the upper level when the temp is above freezing, so fall and spring it's the principle source of heat therefore requiring the whole home hot water system to only kick if it gets down to below 20deg at night under most cases. In the summer it keeps the upper level nice and cool. Love it. Best money I've spent in a long time! Install was very easy, just had to have an electrician come wire up a box.
What brand did you go with?
Great video, Ben .We built a passive solar, net zero home 5 years ago. The main reason we have 2 mini splits is that we can both heat and cool with the same unit, and they are super efficient whether heating or cooling. Cheers!
I was just about to ask what climate you're in and then saw your name - does your mini split handle the extreme cold out there too? I'm thinking of getting a Mitsubishi w/hyper heat, they're rated for -15 F. Cheers
@@reck0n3r our mini splits are rated to produce heat at -19° F. I tested at -15° and indeed we got heat. Ours are Mitsubishi too. I am very impressed with them!
I’m moving to Ely and wonder how much more efficient they are and how many heads you have in each room etc especially compared to a fuel heater so I can ditch my tank in the basement. Also do you have a head in the basement?
@@reck0n3r It's not the brand that determines how it does in the cold, it's the model you chose. Most mini-split manufacturers offer units designed to work optimally in cold climates or in hot climates. Make sure you get the optimal system for your needs.
A few other considerations: individual room temperature control results in significant energy savings (i.e. no need to cool your living room while you're asleep in your bedroom). The condenser (outdoor unit) is typically smaller and more quiet on a mini split system, so if you're pressed for outside space that's a plus. Also, the effectiveness of heating operation depends on the outside temperature. Colder outside temperatures are harder to extract heat from, so keep that in mind if you plan on using the system for both coming and heating and live in a cold climate. They definitely have their place.
True about the heating function. Some are now coming with heaters to help for low temps.
Can you locate the condenser unit in an attached unheated garage? Any issues with ventilation or safety? That way you wouldn’t have as dramatic a temperature difference
Like any system the unit needs to be sized properly. These were used extensively in compounds in Afghanistan. Never had an issue staying comfortable in the Winter, and yes its gets to below Freezing steadily for 3 months out of the year. So areas that are not known for sub zero (F) temperatures should do ok with the newer heat pumps in these systems.
I can’t think of anything better in my life for any of my Garages, I would only consider Mr. Cool if you’re a handy guy or gal .
I don't plan on using the system for coming, only heating. Thanks for the extra info, though. 😏
Good video. We renovated an 1880's farmhouse on the coast of Maine, and our 5000 BTU Daiken unit heats the house easily most days (2 floors, 1072 sq ft total) for the past 2 years. It was our sole source of heat until 6 weeks ago, when we had a used propane fireplace with wall vent installed as a back up/supplement. We like a cooler temp (low 60's) and because we're pretty well air sealed, we manage pretty well. Only on the coldest and most windy of days do we light the propane. Also, I believe Daikens are made in Texas now.
I've gotten Mitsubishi's From home depot Multiple times easy to install and someone now have lasted over 10 years And I've had no trouble getting parts
I went to home depot yesterday to have someone come out and give me a qoute. Can you tell me the model you have? Thanks!
@@gavinsmith7224 I don't remember . I ll look on our records and tell you . Sorry my friend 😔
No worries! Thank you!
What kind of maintenance have you had to do?
My Mitsubishi 12000 btu last for almost 17 years still rocking today ,use it only sleep time almost everyday . and yep, i live in Thailand .
First time I saw a mini split was at a friend's house in Monterrey Mexico. I have now come across multiple MS setups, and they are by far waaaay more practical the a regular refrigerated system. The monthly cost is about half and any given room will be as comfortable as you want....they are amazing!
I'm from Monterey Mexico wool! Lol just thought this was funny haha
It gets cold in Monterey. Do khow the units performed in during the winter months ?
I've had my mini split for only 2 weeks and it is a life changer! My entire upstairs is like heaven now. I can live and run my business in comfort now, especially in this near 100 degree weather. I wish I had installed it sooner!
What kind do u have? Is it a lot if BTU's and what brand?
Did you have to put in multi zones to get that nice cooling of the entire upstairs?
Outside of the US, most people use Split AC, it's way more efficient, easier to install, and it actually cools your room fast!
How much was it
Where I live I am lucky to get to 80 degrees.
I have been in the HVAC industry for about 14 years. We still have units we installed when I started and are still running great. Maybe you should switch company you are using. We mostly use Fujitsu and if you know what you're doing it's very easy to service. Mitsubishi is also great but more expensive. Parts on both of them we usually can get within a few days. Some parts can take a week. If a unit is installed right and maintained, it will run great for a long time.
Agreed. We also install Fujitsu and have had pretty good luck with them. We have some units that are older and still lasting well for sure. Just seems like they don't do quite as well as a "traditional" system.
@@BenjaminSahlstrom 100% agree on that one.
M
@@Elisummit845 do you have to vac down the mini systems like traditional? How do you feel about the precharged systems?
@@BEANS-O-MATICtransmissions that's a great question. We have to understand that a refrigerant cycle, with the refrigerant that we use (I would guess it's the same with all refrigerants) we can not have moisture in the cycle. The more moisture in the cycle the sooner the system will go bad, for different reasons. We want to bring the microns down as low as possible so the risks of the system being effected by moisture is almost 0. Every manufacturer will tell you different levels of microns and decay test level but every system has to be vacuumed.
I learned about minis in Iraq and Afghanistan. We used them more than anything else. Hot extremely dusty environment 120 degrees and more heat outside. All were run by large diesel generators with the voltage constantly varying and going out. They worked great. The only problems were the condensate pans clogging and leaking into the room and if someone was dumb enough to install one on a roof due to extreme heat they didn’t last long. Got home and built a cabin and I run a mini. I had issues with mold clogging the condensate pan. I use tablets to keep that under control and have learned that if I use high fan speed instead of automatic fan I don’t have that issue. Should last me a long time.
I learned from my HVAC guy that using vinegar instead of bleach is better to keep condensate line clean...
@@davidwiley3440 the acid from vinegar will EAT up the evap coil, speaking from 40 years refrigeration
@@88corinutzahow does that come in contact with the condensation line going outside?
@@consciousobjector2507 the aluminum coil usually sits in the plastic drain pan , i used to work on reach in and walk in coolers. Uncovered pickles and onions over time made the evap coils leak freon.
@@88corinutza ohhhh, gotcha.
Dear Benjamin, I live in northern Mexico, and winters are surely cold here. I installed a cooling-heating mini-split back in 2017, and it has worked nicely, both for heating and cooling. Only once it displayed an error message, after a whole year of use. The error was E8, and in desperation, I thought I had made a poor investment, however, an idea hit me an I simply cleaned the mesh filters at the air input in the indoor unit. Worked like magic! It worked nicely again. What I do ever since is to clean them with a dry brush every year, and no problem whatsoever. My opinion is minisplits are great, and highly efficient in both functions. I even took my natural gas bill down by 90 per cent! Another bonus is the water coming out from the outside unit in summer and spring I use it for watering my trees and garden, thus lowering my water bill as well. Thanks for your very interesting and useful video!! I almost forgot, I installed some solar panels on my roof, and my light bill is also very small, in spite of having two minisplits now, plus two electric water boilers.
Another pro point: on minisplit you usually have more independent system (one unit usually feeds from one to three inner "splits" so on a house you have usually at least two units) this means that if a single unit fails the home isn't totally out of air conditioning, on a central system if something fails, you have to hope hvac tech comes quite soon. As a note: my grandma has a 2002 mitsubishi twin-split and today it still in great shape. A downside is that you have to pull a condensate pipe to every inside split to drain the condensate properly.
If you have a refrigerant leak, then all units are down.
Or compressor goes out or fan on outside unit or outside contactor or capacitors. There are quite a few things outside I would bet that can shut the whole system down.
@Jeremy 77 that is what you get for thinking
Yeah I think what he meant is your average home is going to have at least 2 mini-splits/ even multi-zone so; even if one of the two go down your still going have the other part of the house. 😀
What if each mini split has its own pump or motor outside? I'm getting a deal for 5 minisplits with each own pumps. Venture x brand for $7k total with installation. Living room is 18k btu and the rest 9k. Help?? Advice?
WITHOUT DOUBT the installation of a dual zone mini was THE SMARTEST thing I did when I did the renovation of my 1949 built house!!! There are NO CONS IMHO
Glad you have had success with your install. Out of curiosity, what part of the world do you live in? How long ago did you renovate? Wall cassettes or ceiling cassettes?
Where are your zones? Is the dual covering the whole house?
We're renovating a house built in the 1930s (no insulation and old wiring). No upstairs duct work. I'm looking at installing a multizone minisplit for the upstairs. Sounds like my plans are the way to go. Thinking the ceiling cassette style to keep with the aesthetics.
I would say a huge advantage is the noise being so much lower for a minisplit. At least with the one I got with the inverter drive, it is nearly silent and barely noticeable over ambient noise in a suburban area while standing right next to it. At least so far, as I haven't tested it up to full output on a hot day yet. Also you can get powered dampers that connect to a thermostat for each room, but would make it tricky to keep the larger central unit running without icing up if too many dampers are used and most of them close at some point. Some portion of the ductwork would need to always remain open. Also you wouldn't be able to make the particular room any cooler than what is available from the main controlling thermostat. You could wire both thermostats to turn the system on, but then the individual room could cause the rest of the house to be too cold by keeping it on when the other thermostat says turn off. Not as ideal as the absolute control minisplit have obviously.
Mini splits were always one of the fastest installs I’ve done over the few years I did hvac. Going ductless will be the future and only become more efficient then central. Biggest pro of a mini split with a zone in each acquired room will have a return to prevent poor air circulation. This will control humidity and proper temperature. I have a 1960 single wide with poor air return especially with bedrooms on each end of home with doors shut just won’t return the air in a timely matter since furnace is in the middle. Like I said having a return in each room has a list of benefits more so then was mentioned.
I had one installed in my Tucson garage three weeks ago and it is WUNNERFUL!!!
What size? I’m looking to do the same with my garage.
I live in AZ too looking to do this what size unit do I need for a 2 car garage? Total cost?
Mini splits are cheap! Here in SF Bay area if you want to add/update central AC unit those HVAC contractors would give you estimate around 15K (they always do not want to add AC to existing heater and want to replace everything (ducts included)). On the other hand I installed 2 mini splits (24K and 18K) and it costed me around 3K total (I did install myself). So it is definitely cheaper than central AC unit.
The main issue with adding AC to heat is that your duct is not insulated. Obviously if the duct is to small or big you have to replace it. If the ducts are not insulated they will sweat when the AC runs, as your coil runs below the dew point.
I just installed a new 5 ton 16 SEER A/C with a new gas furnace last March in my home. My total Pre-Covid-19 cost was less than $3700 (with tax) for the equipment, new supply plenum, tools, and materials (R-410a, foam, silicone, silver solder, starting collars, thermostat, wire, etc). I noticed that there seems to be a shortage of HVAC equipment right now and Goodman is no longer available from some online suppliers.
@@picklerix6162 I think you did well. What is a "starting collar"?
Also in the SF Bay area - I had two mini-splits installed for around $9k. Great that you did it DIY for so cheap!
I'm also in SF Bay area. I'm debating on 10k central AC vs 1k mini split for one room (DIY install) vs live with the weather😂
Excellent, concise information without any agenda....really what I was looking for. Thank you!!
*Great and Easy to instal **Fastly.Cool** Low noisy*
Yes - the heatpump mini-splits tend to heat much better and more efficiently in cold weather than traditional split heatpumps, some can maintain full capacity down to 0F or lower. Basic splits lose as soon as the outdoor temp drops below 47F, often the balance point is 32F if the unit is sized for cooling. Really great retrofit option for houses with baseboard heaters, cut the heating bill by half easily.
Exactly.
Part of the problem is that central air conditioning systems for homes are ridiculously overpriced for what you get and there has been an oligopoly on them for decades where they share the manuf. of the same unit and then just stamp a different brand name on it, sell it for the same price, and call that competition. Many Central Air conditioning manuf. feel they don't need to bother with competing against mini splits that are primarily made by foreign (non-USA) companies. But the reality is if they don't make these Central Air conditioning units more reliable for the amount of money they cost, then these American companies (Carrier, Trane, York, Rheem, etc.) will lose the entire air conditioning market. Which may be a good thing because they pretty much don't compete with each other at all and artificially set their prices high. They need to make Central AC units last 50 years or longer, or they're going to get crushed by the foreign companies. It can be done, they know how to do it. But they intentionally don't do it so they can make more money and make more sales. They intentionally make central A/C units out of inferior materials to save a penny on manuf. and also charge customers a dollar a few years down the road.
@@Sidicas actually central units themselves are not that expensive, it is mostly the contractor's markup and labor
I'm going to be installing a Mr. Cool system in a renovated mobile home this Summer in NH. The largest unit will do it just fine. The bedrooms at each end have electric baseboard heat as a back up. Home is open concept, about 50-60 feet long. The system will work well. And I'll feel better about it then the ventless propane heater that was being used.
I was first introduced to the mini split concept in an episode of Norm Abram's New Yankee Workshop tv show many years ago. The unit he installed was a Mitsubishi and I think they may have been the first in the US market and pretty expensive too. Norm did not spend a lot of time talking about the mini split and went on with his woodworking project, but the idea continued to rattle around in my brain. Several years later I built a 1000 sq ft garage/workshop for myself and made provisions for a mini split line set to go through the wall plus put in the outside electricals for the compressor. Six hot, miserable summers later I was ready to pull the plug on a mini split, during the winter I did a lot research and determined that 24,000 btu would do the trick and selected a Friedrich brand unit. I installed it myself, but had an HVAC tech check my work and was on hand at start up to check for leaks, add refrigerant if needed and operation. That was in May of 2013 and have been very pleased with my decision. I do not use it for heat as I had put in radiant heat in the floor. The unit has been trouble free (knock on wood) and sips electricity, helped by a well insulated building. That said, I cannot imagine using a mini split in my residence.
Daiking was the first in the market in the US. They were actually here in the late 70's. This is the third time that Daikin had returned to selling in the US.
How are you heating the radiant flooring for the workshop - indirect water heater?
I installed a IMG 4 Zone Mini split Heat Pump all by myself and saved a lot of money. It took a while to install but it works Great!!! The only problem is to remove the condensed water but I figured it out. My coworkers heard what I done and now some of them have the same unit. It's so quiet and efficient. I Love My Mini Split. Thanks for your time showing us I'll forward this to my friends.
Does the heat pump still work good? I am considering I am in Mass...thx
I’m planning to install a Lennox mini split system… a friend recommended and and the family really likes it
I installed a Panasonic 22 SEER mini-split in my workshop mainly for heat! I've had it over one year now and am very happy. Very efficient, heats very well into sub zero temps.
Great video Ben! I like how you stressed that everything is your Opinion. Not sounding like a salesman, just stating facts that you know and educating people.
He's putting one in for himself, so that tells you that he thinks it's the way to go in certain circumstances.
You're my sub panel installation guy! Which I did following your guidance. Based on your video here I think I'll go with the traditional system for my basement. Thanks for your videos.
This was a well-balanced presentation of the facts. Thank you for moderating any personal bias. Very professional and informative, yet easy to grasp for the average consumer. Nice video 👍
Thanks for the video. I just got my mini split hooked up last week. I ended up going with the Mr. Cool ductless DIY. I boight one that was not DIY at the start cause it was cheaper in the beginning. But when I read up on them, how a license ac person had to put it on to get the warranty, i started calling and ot qas going to run me more then the split ran me. I sent that back and got the DIY, went with a 18000 btu (a lot bigger than I need) and I love it. Had a friend help me hook it up and had it going in about 3 hours. I read most of them are about the same but the warranty with the Mr. Cool seem to be a lot better then the rest of them. The warranty to me is a vig deal. Our main AC gave us so much problems for the 1st 10 years and all the big name local shops wanted to do is band-aid it, or sell us a new unit, so that is why i been very picky when I decided to go with a ductless unit.
installed a mrcool diy gen 3 last month in an older model single wide. been high 90's ,near 100, during the day most of the month and it has worked great .....just wishing i hadn't put it off as long as i did . and yes, the warranty was a big factor in the purchase also
Reason some of these don't last as long is because of the copper tubes. Many don't cut them down to length (because effort) and just leave the coil somewhere. This creates an oil trap. Its best to try to avoid that and the unit will last longer.
Oil trap?
@@Phuong_Nguyen_ Refrigerant carries lubricating oil throughout the system and lubricates the compressor. If oil collects somewhere and isn't moving through the system it could cause a lubrication starvation issue.
@@channell11 ok thanks. I’m thinking about getting a 24k single unit. But I’ll probably get it professional installed
I love mini splits! Got one in the garage & 1 in the new Arizona Room. Got each for installed & wired for 1000 each!
Thank you for posting. I appreciate you being candid and honest.
Where I work we install Mitsubishi mini splits and we absolutely love them they are great quality and much better than other brands we have worked on or removed. I will look next time we install one where they are made.
Have heard similar rave reviews of Mitsubishi systems.... not surprising as the Japanese apparently wrote the book on these types of systems, decades ago..... (But in the US, they're two and three times as expensive as the alternatives, and they're not as easy to install - compared say to mrcool) About just where these systems are manufactured, very slippery subject.... hard to get a straight answer from anybody on just who makes what....
We have one, love it. Had it about 4 years now. Mitsubishi also.
whole house install?
I had a Mitsubishi HyperHeat ductless in my house in NY, One indoor air handler worked on the entire 900 square feet downstairs. My electric bill was very low. Love these, they are quiet and energy efficient! I am now replacing our heat pumps in TN with a combination of ducted and non-ducted Mitsubishis. If you are on the fence, these units are rated to -5 degrees Fahrenheit. In NY the unit worked for me up to -26F. Make sure you get a HVAC contractor who specializes in these units. Just do it, you won't be sorry!
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE with a Whole House (5) Zone Mini Split System: I have a new house and I have been living in it 2yrs. I have a 5 zone Mini Split system. Here are my Pros and Cons of the Mini Split (these are in addition to what Benjamin went over) HERE ARE THE PROS (personal experience): Individual Room/Zone Temperature control: I love the ability to heat/cool each room individually. For example - I run the unit in my Den/Kitchen area (which is one big room) during the day and into the evening at a comfortable level while all of my other Zones are either Off or running at a less comfortable temperature. When I go to bed, I turn on the Unit in the Bedroom and turn the Unit in my Den/Kitchen Off or to a less comfortable temperature for the night. I live by myself so I have a couple guest bedrooms that I rarely use. So I just keep those units off and close the bed room doors (unless I'm using the room and I'm going to be in there a while and want to be comfortable). This saves massive amounts of energy as well as the life of the individual units. It only takes about 15 minutes or so for the room to adjust to a comfortable temperature when I turn the unit on. Washable/Reusable Filters: All of the wall units have their own Filter System that can be washed out under your kitchen sink or garden hose outside and reused. With a typical HVAC system you have to buy a new Air Filter every 3 months at least. This cost is eliminated with a Mini Split System I Can Walk in My Attic and/or Crawl Under My house without ducts in my face!!: Mini Splits are Ductless so I don't have Duct Work running throughout my attic. I always hated this about the typical HVAC system and this was one of the big reasons I chose to do a whole house mini split system. Not only is Duct Work in your attic visually unattractive it's also very inefficient. In the summer temps can reach 150 degrees in some attics. Even though the duct are insulated that extreme heat in an attic in July makes its way into the ducts. Every time the system cycles back on, all of that hot air inside the ducts (that are in the 150 degree attic) get dumped into the interior of the house. The AC system has to work harder to cool that hot air down at the beginning of each cycle. This is extremely inefficient No Leaky Duct Work: In a typical HVAC system with ductwork, all of the connection points of the ductwork to the, main trunk line, air handler outlet and intake, there are loads of air leaks. Most typical HVAC installers are installing the duct work in uncomfortable situations (in a hot attic with fiberglass insulation all over them or underneath a dirty crawlspace of a house, with spiders, mice, etc..) so they usually want to get the job done as quick as possible so they can get out of that environment. Because of this typical situation, they usually dont make sure all the connection points are 100% air tight and some dont even care if their 50% air tight. In fact HVAC manufacturers design their systems to account for this expected loss, due to installation lax. Duct System Air Leaks cost YOU MONEY! This situation is 100% avoided with a Ductless Mini Split System and is another reason why a Mini Split System is more energy efficient than a typical HVAC system. No Dirty Ducts that need to be cleaned every year or two: This also saves you money! On a Mini Split System there are no ducts, so you don't have all that dust and debris blowing through the system, into your house and into your lungs Coils are Easy to Clean compared to a typical HVAC system: I usually remove my filter and spray my coils with Windex or a HVAC coil cleaner. Super easy! VERY Quiet: A mini Split is much quieter than a typical HVAC system both inside and outside of the house. System can reach a Comfortable temperature quickly: A room can go from uncomfortable to comfortable more quickly with a mini split than with a typical HVAC system because its only heating/cooling each room individually instead of the entire house and the Ductwork that's in that hot 150 degree attic in the summer. CONS to a Mini Split System (personal experience) Cost: I have a 2000sqft house and my HVAC for my house was going to be around $4200 (Goodman brand). I chose to upgrade to a (5) Zone Mini Split whole house system and had to pay another $3000 or so. I was building my house new and the extra cost wasn't felt because it was just rolled into the loan for the house. So the question is..if I wasn't building a new house would I pay the extra $3000? Yes, because the monthly savings of a Mini Split system would save me money in the long run and also for all of the other Pros listed above. If given a choice, I will NEVER use a typical HVAC system again. No Thermostat hanging on the Wall: The one thing I had to get used to with my Mini Split system was using the Remote Control. The Remote Control doesnt act a Thermostat, at least mine doesnt. So I had to purchase Digital Thermostats to put in each room so that I would know what the temp was in that room. I noticed that if I didnt do this I would unintentionally run the unti on to high of a setting (which made the unit run longer). I found digital thermostats for $8 each of Amazon.com and they solved the problem. Some Mini Split have a Temperature readout on the wall unit, so it will depend on your Model and Brand Wall Unit takes up Wall Space in each room: This may not be a big deal to some and to others it may be a problem. It doesn't bother me at all, but I also had my installer mount them a little higher on the wall so they were out of the way a little more. Females (or Males) that care about decorating walls, may have more of an issue with this than others. You may Have spots in your house that aren't cooled/heated as well: Because the wall units are hanging on the wall in each room, some areas like hallways or bathrooms, closets, etc... where there isn't a unit may be a little less comfortable. This totally depends on each individual set up and location of the wall units, but it's worth mentioning. Its also worth mentioning that typical HVAC systems also have areas in a house, that aren't cooled/heated as well. It all depends on the installer and the conditions. I do experience some of this, but I also try to get by with running as few individual wall units as possible(to save money and also the life of the system), but this has never been much of an issue for me. If it does, I just turn on another wall unit and it will quickly equalize the temp in that area I hope this helps somebody out there!!
Thank you!
the same brand multi zone system with 3 units has recently been installed in my house and I have to say that it is much more efficient and comfortable than the central system i had before. The units are used only when there is necessity unlike the central system that worked in all the rooms when only one had to be cooled down, making me waste money on the bills.
how much was the install?
Is there any detectable noise when they’re on?
I have Central Air and Heating. Just the wife and I. We don't want to keep wasting our system for rooms no one uses. Should I get these install in my house?
I have the attention span of a six week old cocker spaniel, so getting all the way through a video more than three minutes long is tough for me (blaming it on my advanced age). That said, great video. I installed a MS in our "converted two car garage master bedroom" last fall. It served us well through the mild South Texas winter and has been doing an admirable job through the searing 100+ heat of this summer. The instructions on the particular brand I bought were lacking, but with enough YT vids and a fair amount of experience in construction, I was able to figure it out. If we ever have significant problems with our central unit, I will not hesitate to replace it with one or two multizone MSs. Oh, I got my MS from Walmart. 18000 BTU for less than $1000 including the extra warranty. So, I was thrilled with the price, although I was concerned it might be a cheaply made unit, but so far, the performance has been just fine. Thanks.
Me too. He held my attention all the way thru
I do lawn care and over the past 4 years I've seen 3 of the homes I maintain have gotten these. I was like what the heck is this. But a guy explained to me what they where. I think its a great idea. More efficient.
Excellent video. You've got talent. I am considering having a 4 zone mini-split installed in my home in Virginia. The price, I think, is outrageous; however, it does seem to answer several needs. Again, great video. Smart guy!
This is a damn good comment section! Lots of good info here!
haha... I know... its like the usual KZhead commenters are on vacation.
@@SoCalVipers Yes, the comedians are being "funny" elsewhere.
Great video. My standard system is 20+ years old and going out. It has to be replaced ASAP. Some coworkers recommended a mini split system claiming it was much cheaper and they had really low electric bills after switching. They also recommend it because I plan on moving in 3 years
I Do Not recommend mini splits at all! I made a mistake to install them in my whole house and my electric bill went up $200! I made a big mistake !
@user-jn3no3gw7e Ouch. Yeah I didn't go with them. I replaced my current system.
Thank You! I appreciate the information from you and the comments. I am in the process of making an executive decision about heating and cooling at home and this is great info. Thanks again!
Running HVAC in our home is starting to get crazy expensive, and after seeing these used in other parts of the world I 100% plan on getting at least a single for our Master Suite. May even get a 3 head unit for the upstairs bedrooms. I hate cooling/heating our giant house when only a couple rooms are in use at a time
We have one for our bedroom and one for the main living area so at night we only cool/heat the bedroom. When I get up and turn the main unit back on it only takes ten minutes and it back comfy again. We love it.
Very smart and well thought out video! Looking forward to seeing this project completed.
I now consider myself "EDUCATED!" Great video with great comments!
I have spent a lot of time in China back about 15 years ago. I was amazed at how efficient and quiet mini-splits were. In contrast to most of the A/C units here in the U.S.A. A/C here are still big square boxes you put in a window or cut a huge hole in the wall to have them install, and they are noisy as a diesel truck. It's time we join rest of the world. No expensive duct work. Ben. I have a home in the South. I have a huge unit at the back of the house The duct work runs in a crawl space under the house. In the winter the field mice cut holes in the duct work which is made up of R19 insulation with some kind of foil covering on the outside Then the problem is the repair guys never want to go into a crawl space to repair the ducts. So I say it is time we embrace the modern age of air Conditioning.
Split acs are the best no horrible ducts, just small pipes and wire.. they are 1uite energy efficient hot or cold, wifi etc etc.
We just did one and we love it. We have boiler heat and would have had to install a duct system which would have been quite expensive for our 115-year-old house, plus we love our boiler heat in the winter...
I love my mini splits! no noise!
Can you please be more specific about the noise level being low? No noise compared to what? Window unit noise level?
@@homecats1 I was comparing it to a window Ac Unit,If you have good credit you can probably just fix your old a/c companies now replace the air ducts and air coinditioners are more energy efficient nowadays.I can sleep now that the motor is not hanging on the window and I got my window back!
Well done!! Very well explained without skipping important info!
I installed a mini split in my master bedroom. It runs off of 110 and gets crazy cold and is quiet. I installed myself and was pretty easy. I close off my HVAC duct now so more air runs to the rest of the house. I'm sleeping at 68f in Fresno Ca in the summers! I would highly recommend.
I also live in fresno. I What is going to get solar to help bring down the cost of my electricity in the summer but Solarwinds around $20,000 for a small house. So is it possible for you to help me figure out if mini split would be a better idea for me. I have window unit, air conditioner and a gas furnace.
I had Mitsubishi multi zone ducted minisplit unit installed in a house in the Pacific Northwest and it was trouble free for 8 years before I sold the house. It was a primary source of heat besides being an AC and it handled our mild winters with occasional days down to 15F like a champ. One service call and it was related to install issue with exposed uninsulated duct. My house was super comfortable and my bills were reduced. It was several thousand dollars more than a ducted system but I would have needed to install a gas meter and I didn’t want to go through that mess. Quiet, no dust, efficient.
What company? Washington energy services quoted us $32K for just the upstairs. We got window units instead.
One of the advantages you missed is that in system that has many units it can transfer heat from a too hot area to a too cold area (like a basement) instead of transferring it outdoors and vice versa. That works well in split level homes. In most systems the remote is not a thermostat, it is a controller. The thermostat is in the air intake of the room unit. Many systems can be easily controlled from a central controller setting max and min temps allowed to be set in any zone, also scheduling. If someone wants to cool a zone to 68 degrees and sets the room controller for that, while the min is set for 72 on cooling in the main controller, the unit will only cool to 72. Another advantage is smells, dust, smoke and pathogens do not move from room to room through the HVAC. Refrigerant conducts and transfers heat much more efficiently than air with less loss. If you buy a residential unit from a manufacturer that makes commercial units parts distribution is pretty good. Service companies that work allot with the mini split system brand you buy will carry or stock parts.
Temp sensor in remote too; small hole on back side.
Here in Finland mini split systems are installed mostly as heat pumps, cooling is just a (big) bonus for most home owners. Also most systems here are designed to work in cold conditions. -20c (-4F)is quite normal spec how cold those new systems can work, although manufactures kind of cheat here. Mini split will work at -20c but unit that is spected 5kW at 10c (50F) is probably 1kW or less at -20c. Another heat source is still needed here because in most of Finland there is more -30c(-22f) days than +30c (86F) days per year. (At least it used to be so...) Also because of popularity of hydronic (is that right word?) heating systems, air to water heatpumps are gaining more and more users.
Brands used there please, thank u
@@jayajora Brands are probably same everywhere but models differ. Also machine itself can be the same, but model and brand differ. Mitsubishi (For example model LN25 HERO) Panasonic (For example model HZ25-UKE) Electrolux Well H5 ilmalämpöpumppu EXN12C58HW BOCH Compress 7000 AA Also Cooper & hunter has multiple models for cold environment (Arctic NG series and Supreme) There is many more brands, but those I did find right now from stores.
Yo Ben..this is an awesome video brother! You did a great job amd answered several of my questions! Thanks brother!
We had a Mitsubishi Slim for 10 years here in Southern California. We got the one that only cools. (We wish we had gotten the one that also heats.) But we NEVER had even one day's trouble with that unit. While San Diego normally has great weather, we do have about 10 days out of the year where it will climb to 95 or 100 degrees. We turned on that mini-split and within 15 minutes, the room went from 92 degrees to 68. In the winter, we can get down to the 40s. So we would have to use the regular whole-home heat pump. But the mini-split was VERY quiet. At night we would only turn that on, and never run the standard heat pump A/C that covers the whole house. Finally, we had to get a new whole-home heat pump (that uses ducts) because it was 30 years old. Our house is around 3,000 sq ft and is a 2-story. The farther you are away from the air handler (which is now in the attic), the less air will blow out of the ducts. We ended up remodeling the house and took away a 2nd story deck, which is where that mini-split condenser sat. So we just removed the unit from the bedroom. (It's still outside on the storage shed). But if I had it to do all over again, I would have gotten 2 or 3 mini splits in the house, rather than the $17K (total) for the condenser, new air handler, and more air ducts along with a difficult installation. They kept trying to tell me how new heat pumps will do the "zone" thing that is referred to in the video above. But I didn't want it because it was much more expensive. So eventually, we will probably get a few more mini-splits, and just stop running the main heat pump altogether. But Mitsubishi makes GREAT mini-split units. It was incredibly quiet. Love mine... Sometimes I go out in the shed just to say hi. (Haha... not really... but I DO miss it in the house.)
I ran into these units in 2010 in Accra, Ghana. They were everywhere. The oddest thing I saw was an office building of ten stories or so that had an area between about the fifth and seventh floors that had a forest of condenser units on the back side of the building. The building did not have air conditioning so if you wanted AC it was done via mini splits. And when your office is only 5.6° north latitude you do want air conditioning.
That is amazing and awesome.
This video is timely. I just spent half a day this week replacing the condenser fan motor on my 23 year old central air conditioner. I have a two story house with one central air system. I am going to install 3 mini split systems upstairs in my home, or one with 3 zones. I want them for three reasons. 1) They will serve as a back up system to my central air system. We will have a few rooms that are livable even if the main unit fails. 2) It will extend the life of the old central unit because it will run less. We keep it cooler downstairs than we like in order to cool the upstairs. With the mini split units we can run the central unit less. 3) It will make the entire house more comfortable because the upstairs and downstairs will be controlled independently. I would like to keep the old unit even though it is old because of the simplicity of it. The old unit has a condenser fan, compressor, main contactor, and capacitor. There are no circuit boards and sensors. I can troubleshoot it in minutes. I will keep repairing it until the compressor goes. I will replace the entire unit at that point.
That sounds extremely well thought out!
I wish the ac unit in my home was 23 years old
Mine is 33 years old....
@@BRENT3143945 The new ones are more energy efficient, but I like the simplicity of the old one. I have never had to hire an air conditioning contractor to ever work on mine. In all these years I replaced the contactor once, capacitor twice, and now the condenser fan motor. They were all easy to troubleshoot. The hardest repair was the fan because it took a lot of WD40 and patience to get the fan off the old motor. I did it very slowly to make sure I didn't bend or damage anything.
Good video and explanation for people thinking about installing mini split system.
I do HVAC for a company in the Eastern Ohio area and these units are sensitive to a dirty environment, a nightmare in a greasy environment such as restaurant, having to pull out the blower cylinder to properly clean is not simple and you have to hang plastic and drop cloths to foam out the filth in the coil as it can drip down on things. He is right about the quality of the plastic parts and the vanes and connectors on the pieces are delicate and require replacement.
Well hopefully most houses are clean and not greasy.
Work in the desert?
Loved mini splits in our old house. Then the HVAC guys we used to use went out of business. The first time we had major problems with them after that we had a heck of a time finding someone who was qualified to work on them and it took forever to get a problem fixed.
What brand name is it ? Wha5 was the problem ?
@@vikingored7469 one house is a Fujitsu unit and another it's Mitsubishi, with rental properties were have several houses. The big issue is finding people certified to work on them, the HVAC company we used for years to install the systems went out of business and finding other companies who knew the systems was the biggest issue. So many don't work on mini splits and the ones that do only seem to work on a single manufacturer.
GREAT VIDEO!!!…I just installed a 4 zone 36,000 BTU mini split in my cottage that never had any ductwork ran before and this was the best thing I could’ve ever done, although I only used three heads I wanted to make sure I had plenty extra if I needed to add an extra one to another room later on. I use the Senville brand it is extremely quiet and very energy-efficient. Being a multi zone and never done this before it took me about 30 hours to install everything with the line set and covers along with the condenser wall mount and cutting out my siding adding flashing and doing everything the proper way (100% myself) Then I had my neighbor who is a HVAC guy come over and vacuum the lines and run nitrogen through them to get everything going good…. Definitely the best thing for my application I am now thinking about installing one in my attached garage at my home also.
Considering buying one, that is not a bad idea, that solves at least some of the service/part problem
@@terrykagebein913 Yes definitely worth it and probably the best way to go if you don’t have any duct work….It may take some time and doing that yourself it took me 30 hours for a three headed unit I would say if I was running and going to head it probably would’ve talk to me about 15 or 16 and I am pretty much mechanically inclined I did all of the electric work and everything myself
You have learned well GrassHopper !! Another point to consider is total power consumption. The mini typically has a V.F.D. installed to the evaporator fan as well as condenser fan, for the bottom line is very effective on lower power usage. KW/Tonnage load cooling.Just a thought....... Keep up the great work !!!
Thanks for this video! I live in D.C. and need to replace a really, really old furnace and ac. The company that made the current unit hasn’t even been in business since 2001 and this thing looks like it was made long before then. I’m actually amazed at how well it was made! But I digress... The problem is that I want to move the furnace to a corner of my basement. Right now, the placement takes up what could technically be another small room. Because of this, the technician said I could go with either moving the duct work/ installing bulk heads and installing a traditional furnace & a/c OR I could install mini splits on each floor. He said it would be pretty much the same cost and it would free up that space I want to use in the basement. Currently trying to determine what’s best for my home. If anyone has any advice, please let me know. Thank you!
Being American, I didnt know of an additional types vice central forced air. I moved to Asia at first I thought they sucked but it was just that particular apartment. Others were great and in my opinion more efficient. In the country I was in we controlled the temp win the room we were in vice the whole house. The areas are smaller and disnt need to use as much power. Im back in America and considering this for my mom. Semd air through old ducting and cooling an entire house doesn't seem smart. Even in my house with a newer Central air system closing vents are pretty pointless as it changes nothing. I'm looking at a multi zone system but great video.
Just have to watch out for the HOA nazis that live in the USA. They will shut you down real quick if they catch you installing one of these or even a window AC unit.
Thank you for the first person to be honest. I truly appreciate it.
Have one in my garage and it works perfectly and wouldn’t be without this unit. My vehicle is dry no rust (that is amazing in Florida), storage of items in the overhead storage also stay dry. Highly recommend. 👍👍👍. 2-20-2023
Thanks for the info, one more important PRO for mini splits is they are 30% more efficient because the air doesn’t have to make its way through the ducts (losing its cooling ability) before being expelled into the space. Also, the air doesn’t have to be pushed to the place it needs to go, again saving energy. You make the cool air on the spot and that saves energy.
They ain’t That efficient !! My electric use is double from using mine. I’ve had it pumping on high. Still. These r very expensive to use.
@@peteroneil3639
@@peteroneil3639 Was your previous forced air system electric?
@@peteroneil3639 hey man, what brand system do you have? Mitsubishi wants 20k for 3
@@jmar8504 WOW! When you say 3 units do you mean the ones that would be installed in 3 diff rooms of your home - or something else? How many other companies sell these? And are the prices comparable?
Mini Splits are great! I've DIY'd a couple of 2.5/3.5KW reverse-cycle units purchased on sale for 350USD each and they've been incredible. I can't tell you how long they'll last at this point in time but yeah, zero problems and cheap as chips! One major 'Pro' of Mini-Splits I didn't ever consider until a friends ducted system failed on him was the built-in redundancy of having multiple units instead of just one. A now known-fault killed the logic board in his outdoor unit but of course parts were really scarce due to all the others that had also failed plus COVID issues haven't helped either. It's now been over 9 months and he still hasn't got it fixed and has been suffering through a super hot Summer and freezing cold Winter whereby if he just had Mini-Splits he could simply temporarily move out of the room with the affected unit until it was repaired/replaced. Something to consider anyway!
COVID & CLIMATE CHANGE LMAO.. WHAT A JOKE!
My neighbor has a Mitsubishi mini split system, walked into her house, and couldn't believe how cool her house was. I thought it was her swamp cooler but I seen the head unit on the wall and knew it was a refrigerated air. Swamp coolers can't compete on hot, NM June summer days.
I'm so excited about my upcoming mini split system installation! I've been surviving on portable heaters and window a/c units for many years to heat & cool 2 levels of living space in my 1800 sq ft home. This system will be well worth it for electricity savings, re-sale house value, and much better SAFETY! The portable space heaters can be fire hazards. I'm getting a Mitsubishi system with professional installation. I feel like a kid in a candy store!🍭
I would not do it ! I installed mini split cassettes in my whole house , and I hate it! BIG MISTAKE
For our 350 sq ft Casita with Bathroom, I was considering replacing an old York unit (23+ y/o) with a mini split. For the reasons you stated, I think I will replace with a conventional unit with existing ducting & electrical availability. Thanks for the great videos, and I was in the market for quality flashlights.
Yeah if you've got good duct work then a conventional system is the way to go!
You can still get the benefits of a Mini Split by purchasing an "Inverter" Compressor / Condenser system that uses a traditional "A" Coil inside just like your old system. You get the best of both worlds. Check the Catalog of systems from Mr. Cool's Web Site if you are interested. mrcool.com/documentation/ and, no, I have no affiliation with them, just think their gear is pretty neat.
Also, Daikin, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu and others make air handlers that will go in the same place your existing unit is and connect to your ductwork. There are also some hybrid systems out there like the Bosch Bova that use an A coil with a more traditional looking condenser but is 18 or 19 SEER and an 18 stage inverter compressor. For cost of a traditional unitary system that has the same efficiencies as the mini splits, you would easily pay $10-12k to even get close. Most unitary lines stop at about 20 SEER and maybe 10.5 or 11 HSPF.
Good summary of the issues. I am considering a mini split for a room that is not getting adequate cooling due to a design flaw in the house architecture. One alternative would be to reroute the ductwork to see if that would provide adequate coverage. The quote I got from a local HVAC dealer for a small mini split was $3000. This was a bit more than I expected but it would guarantee good cooling for the room. Rerouting the ductwork may cost as much but not yield satisfactory results. I live in the desert southwest where summer temperatures often exceed 115°F.
I recently had two Mini Split AC's installed for that same amount. One in the living room and the other in one of the bedrooms... So far so good
@@mariamercy7317 I put off installing a mini split and instead paid to run a second duct and vent to the room. I ended up spending $1000 for very disappointing results. Then to make matters worse when I contacted the contractor I found he had raised the price of a mini split from $3000 to $4500. Arghh!
Thank you for the full info. Ducted here, but I like the concept of the mini split system for the temperature control, and hopefully, no water needed for cooling. However, you point on the longevity of the system is well-taken too.
Very clear and thorough explanation - THANK YOU!
Two thoughts: Having traveled in Europe, Asia, and the Mid East for over 20 years, I've seen many mini splits...and many of them 15 to 20 years old...working fine. Maybe a bit funky looking and held together with duct tape...but working fine. Secondly, I have a three year old mini split in my house. Older home with no space for duct work. Have two 3 ton units. One with a single head unit and the other with two heads. Made by/for Carrier. Excellent units. Live in AZ at 5000 feet...they do a good job for both heating and cooling. Economical to run as far as heating and cooling. My units are the ones that will squeeze out heat to -15 f. Never had to do that, but I've had them working great at 5 f. Great video...
When I was in Japan in 1986 they had mini splits all over the place. Those were R22 units with the expansion valve then in the inside unit
I have them in a home in the mountains of Colorado. They work great still at -10
I live in Seattle area, summers are not too hot and winters are not too cold. I use a Mitsubishi ceiling cassette in the master bedroom and second bedroom. I also have a third older mini split at the opposite end of the house. They have kept my 1330 square feet my home warm in winter days for $110 electric bill at worst. Instead of using my baseboard heaters. I love them.
I think one of the big things with mini splits is whether you're ok with potentially nasty condensate water dripping off the side of your house on a hot summer day. That's one of the things that a central AC unit takes care of. Also, the eye sore that a lot of HOA nazis will hound you for.
I think the biggest issue with them actually lasting longer is that there's no good techs out there willing to work on them and the tech support for them is usually terrible taking days sometimes to get in touch with the manufacturer. So most techs just say let's replace it instead of dealing with this. Wish there was more information and manufacturers here in the states
I'm from NYC and the majority of the homes here don't have ductwork. Since 2010, I've been seeing mini splits and VRF systems being installed left and right. Lots of new commercial buildings and apartments are installing VRFs and mini splits by ditching traditional RTUs, PTACs, and hydronic heating. Never seen anyone install ductwork in an existing home for CAC. Personally, my favorite brand is LG but Mitsu, Fujitsu, and Daikin are also fantastic. No American brand manufactures mini splits since traditional ducted units are still king. All LG units are made in Korea and Mitsu, Fujitsu, Daikin VRFs are made in Japan. I would stick with the mentioned 4 brands as they do have good tech support and part availability. There are more complicated and expensive to fix if they do break so make sure you find a competent installer who has completed training from the manufacturer. Eventually, mini splits will replace traditional ducted systems and be the new "norm" for HVAC, as new energy regulations take place.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
I disagree somewhat with the idea that they will replace traditional unitary systems. It’s gonna be more like a merger of the 2 types.
I agree James. The unitary units just keep getting bigger and bigger because the only way they can increase efficiency is by making more coil area available. And BTW, LG PTAC’s and the Mega series are made in Thailand as of last year. Previously they were made in China, but due to the trade issues with China, the fees were exorbitant. Everything else is made in South Korea.
Can these be used fir heating in nyc? Thank you
@@jayajora Yes!
I have one mini spilt running in Northern Minnesota. It has been working great so far. Both heating and cooling. I plan on installing 2 more this year. The best part is you can install it yourself if you have some skills. I like your videos very informative.
Thanks Ben. Love your channel!
Great video and it’s spot on, I’ve owned an HVAC business for over 20 years. I’ve installed my share of mini splits and they are fine until they have a major breakdown, the parts are unique and often hard to obtain and they are built on a very light frame. Like most lightweight modern appliances they are shorter life disposable products. Conventional systems tend to last much longer
My eperience in the used appliance business is that almost all appliances are junk and built as cheaply as is possible. Each year that goes by, they get a little bit worse. I'm inclined to accept your viewpoint as what you refer to as "conventional systems" are probably more commercial in nature. A lot probably depnds on the design of your house and the climate where it's located. In my case, here in Denver along with the layout of the house a single mini-split makes a lof of sense.
Is this Michael Hucks from Mullins lol
I have Mitsubishi installed and love it. The external lines are kind of an eyesore, but so is a window AC unit.
Thomas Chu Did the contractor put the line sets and electrical in line hide? At least the line hide is paintable and disappears after it’s been there for awhile, not to mention offering UV protection.
@@JayBirde Yes, they did...
Thomas Chu Sorry bud! That’s the downside for sure!
Thank's for explaining and the good advice.
We just installed a 4 zone Mr Cool mini split system. With (3) 75 ft line sets and (1) 25 fr line set with extensions for our power from the zones. It’s been wonderful! Was quoted 15k starting off to replace our hvac system and I knew we had to find a new route. And we came across the Mr Cool system which allows heating and cooling. Took 3 good days of work but a lot of it was cutting Holes and prep work for the line set covers. But it’s been the best! You should keep them on almost constantly. I’ve seen a drop in my bill already!
Would like to add with the cost of the electrician and the system we were only out 8k so we saved 7k easily.
Yep, put a Carrier mini in my house in se MN last year to replace elec bb. Heated the house with it without much additional resistance heat. The unit pumps out heat at -10 or lower. The baseboard remains as backup heat.
Good to know.
Energy Savings is HUGE! We have mini split systems in the Mojave Desert here. Power 2 units all day long and night as well. Our bill is less than $100. Traditional system would of been like $400-500 a month. Plus they are quiet, reliable, and virtually no maintenance other than using water hose to clean the outside fins. Ours is going on 10 years strong, no issues.
S Lee naw you need maintenance on them indoor units as well the blower wheels grow alot of mold
What brand?
Mazinblaster Z bruh what ? The air handlers sweat regardless and grow mold do you even know what you talking about
Thanks for sharing this video Sir so nice tutorial. God bless your channel❤️
Very helpful video Ben. Thank you!
They make sense for stand alone shops, storage buildings, hobby sheds, converted car trailers into travel trailers. One thing that wasn't covered is that there are open units you can buy which you have to assemble and charge yourself or by an HVAC tech or you can buy a pre sealed and charged system, that's almost just plug-n-play.
I just installed a Mr Cool DIY system and we love it already. Being my first install I went very slow and methodical and it took me two full days but now I'm sure I could do a second one in one day.
I appreciate this kind of video--minisplits need to just gain a "critical mass" of installs in the US and the problems with price, familiarity and parts availability will start to go away. Right now they're the red headed stepchild, but they really shouldn't be: who doesn't want easy, efficient, zoned heating and cooling?! Keep getting the word out!
They’re ugly tho
great video. Thanks for taking them time to educate us.
One of the best home items I have ever bought! Good decision to get one.
I noticed you talked about the ability to cool multiple zones differently. I think it's important to note that if you're like me, the esthetic is not nearly as important as the ability to properly cool and heat rooms in my home. I live in Texas about an hour east of Houston, in a modular home. The original ac barely made 10 years, and was terrible for efficiency and effective heating and cooling. In the past seasons my family suffered due to overheating and cooling in certain parts of the house, and no ability to heat and cool the rest. Ducted systems lose effectiveness the farther you get from the unit, so my daughter got blasted being one room away from the unit, while my wife and I got nothing hardly at all, being on the other end of the house. While it is true, the bigger full central air units may last longer, they're not bulletproof, they're very expensive, and almost always require professional support when it comes to any maintenance beyond the filters. The smaller mini split units are simple, and can be installed by the diy guy in most cases. An hvac expert should be called when vacuuming the system, but that's about it. With mini split units, one doesn't have to heat or cool all the individual rooms in the home, which is much more efficient. I'm a proponent of multiple single zone units, and for one reason. With multiple single zone units, if a unit does go down, I still have the ability to heat or cool other units in my home. As far as price goes... well I try to look at the big picture. Ducted systems seem cheaper at first, but I found when looking at the bigger picture, it ends up being more cost efficient with the mini split unit, even if it doesn't live as long as the central air unit. That being said, this is a question of the home owners needs and preferences. Either solution can be useful, but for me, I choose the mini split. Oh and just like anything else, price often comes down to the owner. I just purchased a mini split system for my master bedroom and bathroom, and found it to be very affordable... much much cheaper than replacing my entire unit which require changing both the outdoor unit, and the indoor unit as well as all the lines. The bigger unit may be cheaper for others who would not have to replace both units. But the unit I purchased is cheaper than any descent hvac unit available. And no I didn't buy the cheapest unit out there. I can't afford the best units, but I've found that many times a good middle of the road unit provides great value. It's still a quality unit, and it can be affordable for those of us with limited budgets. All invested, my unit will come in at about $1200.00 completely installed and running. This comes with me doing all the install, and the electrical work. An hvac specialist will be called to pull the vacuum on the installed unit. That's much better than the $4000.00 -- $6000.00 minimum I was quoted for replacing my old system. Now keep in mind that I would have to spend significantly more if I decide to do multiple units, but even then the cost still comes up less when you consider the efficiency over several years use. Thanks for the video
@Steven Strain yes sir that is correct about the voltage. I put 230-40 V unit in my master bedroom. It keeps it extremely cool with very little effort, and also has a heating strip as well. I can't say anything about Mitsubishi, as I bought an Innovair unit that is 12000 btu. I did everything myself, except vacuum testing the unit. So far we love this thing. Like I said in my previous post, this really comes down to personal preference. The hvac tech that pulled the vacuum for me is not a fan of these units, but I love them. It's important to be aware of what you're getting, how it works, and the pros and cons. Then you can more prepared to make your decision. These are becoming more and more popular here now and I believe they will become more acceptable among hvac guys, but I believe the big hvac central air and heating units will always be the mainstay... at least here in the U.S. But for me personally, I prefer the split systems.
I have a central heat pump, 2014 Goodman 4 ton unit that cools my 1,800 square feet great, even about 5-7F every hour it runs. I installed such a large unit because at 30F, the heat output is only 32,000 Btu's and at 20F, the coldest in my area each winter (Portland Oregon). it is just enough to keep my place warm, without ever hooking up the back up electric heater! These modern 21 SEER units will use about 2/3 the power of my 2014 vintage unit! SO I plan on installing a 12,000 Btu unit in my bedroom. I also plan on installing a de-superheater, to warm the water going to my water heater to about 95F. This will use 0 additional watts in the summer, and can heat 14,000 Btu's with only 1,100 watts in the winter. So heating 60 gallons of water is about 28,000 Btu's or 8 KW. But with my de-superheater, it will provide about 15,000 Btu's of heat for free in the summer, or for $0.10 in electricity in the winter! Saving about 7 or 8 KW (winter or summer) on my daily water heating bill. So about a dollar a day in electricity savings. Then I will be able to heat just my bedroom on most days, and only heat the whole house when I have company over to visit. I expect my electric bill this winter to be about 2/3 of last winter! When I moved in, I asked the lady who moved out what the cost to run the 20 KW electric furnace, she said one winter it cost $400 in January! I have not paid that much any month since I moved in! Not over $140 per month.
No way you get 20 years out of a traditional 410 system nowadays...at least in the South, you're lucky to get 10 years
I've got two heat pumps that are 20+ years old. Everyone I talk to about getting them replaced tells me 10 -15 years is what a new one will last and I'm at close to 10 grand each for new ones.
@@chrisfoxwell4128 ya the old r22 sysyems are tanks...I'd keep that as long as i could. The 410 is def more efficient, but at a 10 year replace cycle thats 1k per year in your case, so i dunno if the efficiency makes up for it
Having seen hundreds of mini splits installed I think they suck for longevity. They would only last a few months before needing servicing when there is a high demand for cooling. This cycle repeated nonstop with every unit we had.
Here in Vegas a 20 y/o Goodman was running on its last leg.
or in arizona. Maybe 10-12.
Thank you for this video, we are in the process of creating a mother-in-law suite that was from a two car garage and are planning on using a two zone Mini split system my concern is getting the most efficient and quality unit I can. The guy I have doing it really preaches Mitsubishi I don’t mind paying a premium as long as the value is there
Came for air conditioner info Great info Would also like to say beautiful home love love that porch and the view = peaceful cup of tea in the morning