Member
I have a friend that just put a mini-split system in his house (1 outdoor and 4 indoor units). He's tracking his electricity usage at a very high resolution and is finding that the mini-split will heat his house for less than he would pay for the 2 cords of wood he usually burns to heat the house for the winter (and that's with the relatively high Massachusetts electric rates we pay here).
Contributor
New heatpump designs are capable of maintaining their efficiency down into the teens (F)... for example the Fujitsu RLS2H series. However, be careful that you get enough BTU to heat your space in those low temperatures. Often the BTU rating is quoted at 45F + you need to design for your heat load @ those lower temperatures. Buying a bigger unit is not the correct answer (rapid cycling == bad).
Member
I'm in the process of converting my garage into a shop and the mini split system seems like the way to go. How difficult is it to install one? Has anyone done one of these themselves? Local contractors want ~$4700 to install an 18,000 BTU 4 season Mitsubishi Mr. Slim heat pump. I can buy the same unit from ACWholesalers.com for about $2200, and maybe mount and plumb it myself. Even if I hire out the electrical it seems I would be way ahead to do it myself if it seems reasonable.
Last edited by Bruce McVeety; 03-14-2014 at 5:56 PM.
Contributor
Bruce, I did not install by myself, but $2K kind of expensive for installation. I have system you planning to install, very good system, did not have a problem in last 3 years after installation. I know a few people who did installation themselves, only hire AC specialist to charge the system.
Good luck.
Ed.
Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating systems provides heating capability effectively and efficiently even when temperatures outside fall as low as -13º F according to their website for split systems.Originally Posted by Matt Meiser
Lee Schierer
USNA '71
Go Navy!
My advice, comments and suggestions are free, but it costs money to run the site. If you found something of value here please give a little something back by becoming a contributor! Please Contribute
[OP]
Member
I've decided to go with a Mitsubishi dual zone setup. Still searching/waiting for the best price. ACWholesalers has the best prices so far, but still would like to save some more. Construction has been delayed a month so I've got a little more time.
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." - Proust
Member
I had a Fujitsu 15RLX 15k BTU heat pump installed in my shop about three years ago. Cost $2700 installed. I did run the 220v line to the unit, but everything else was included in the install, including a 7 day programmable wall mount thermostat. It's a great system and keeps the shop warm in the cold winters here in Philly and cool in the summer. Make sure you regularly clean out the filters as the sawdust will build up pretty quickly.
Member
I bought a furnace and ac from them this fall, would recommend them. It was a good deal and great customer service.
Member
I installed a Mr. Slim myself. It was a piece of cake to install, and they come pre-charged so you don't need to have an AC guy come out to fill them or anything. I also got my from AC Wholesalers.com and was very happy with them.
Member
See here....
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...-is-on-finally!!
Since it was a workshop, I chose a less expensive model, for less than $1100 installed, you can't beat the price, versus having a shop with heat and A/C.....
I have had no issues since, and the only advice I could probably offer is if you have a few extra $$$$, research getting one that shuts the condenser fan on and off when not in use, on mine, in heat mode, the outside and inside fan is always spinning, though very efficient, it's still spinning. In AC mode, no issues at all.
One other note, mine is rated to 5 degrees, which means it will still heat down to 5 degrees. In PA this past winter, we had a few spells of weather that dropped to way below 0, one night it went to -30 below with wind chill. I can say that the heat pump struggled on these days to keep it close to 50, but hey, it still stayed at 50, and this was only a few days out of the entire Winter.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote