Home and Auto Let's talk about Ductless Mini-Split Heating and Air Units

**notorious** · 07-09-2017, 01:24 PM

My family and I will be moving out to the country soon with plenty of acreage. The farmhouse was built in 1943, so it lacks central hvac.

I don't want to go through the trouble of installing a central unit with ductwork, so I am seriously considering multiple ductless mini-split units.

Main floor is around 1200 ft with a wide-open floor space, upstairs is 1200 ft with 3 bedrooms and a bathroom. Basement is the same size, but is cool during the summer and warm during the winter.

Give me your thoughts on cost, efficiency, aesthetics, loudness, etc. Do they heat well/air condition well? Also, please name the brand you use and your likes/dislikes.

I am a very handy guy, so I am even considering installation myself. It looks easy as hell, and I have every tool know to man.

Thanks guys. If you ever come out to SW Kansas, I will have Buehler buy you a drink to thank you for your assistance.

Rasputin · 07-09-2017, 01:28 PM

Buehler

Buehler

Buehler

Buehler

**LoneWolf** · 07-09-2017, 01:48 PM

A good friend of mine has a cabin in southeast Kansas that he heats and cools with a mini split. I believe the brand name is Gree. It's about a 900 sq. ft. cabin and the heater seems to do a good job in the winter. I've never been there in the summer so I don't know how the A/C works.

Tombstone RJ · 07-09-2017, 01:50 PM

I grew up in the west, and I have lived as far north as Jackson Wyoming, and in the homes up in Jackson, nobody puts in central heat and air. What they do is they put in baseboard heating units in each room with its own thermostat. So each room can control the temperature in the winter time (even the bathroom). The homes, whether they be big homes or small homes or condos or apartments or whatever, don't have air conditioning because it's not necessary. Anyway I know you can do that with heating your home, as far as the air conditioning part of your home, perhaps you can just put window units in the bedrooms or something like that? You might have to actually put a central air conditioning condenser somewhere and yes do the ductwork for the home, I don't know, but you can definitely heat each room on its own with no central heating unit.

**Bugeater** · 07-09-2017, 04:32 PM

They were just talked about a bit in the AC evaporator thread the other day. The one thing I would be wary of if you install yourself is the warranty. It may require licensed installation. Read it carefully.

**notorious** · 07-09-2017, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

They were just talked about a bit in the AC evaporator thread the other day. The one thing I would be wary of if you install yourself is the warranty. It may require licensed installation. Read it carefully.

Just because one can do something, doesn't mean one should.

A lot of times you are buying the warranty when paying the installer. Thanks for the heads-up Bug.

**Bugeater** · 07-09-2017, 05:17 PM

I've been considering one for a room that was added on to our house and to supplement the living room, and even though I have knowledge and some training in HVAC I still may hire it out just so I have someone to call if anything goes wrong.

**DaneMcCloud** · 07-09-2017, 05:31 PM

I have a 1 ton ductless mini split in my 600 square foot studio with 9 foot ceiling, along with a 54" fan in the center of the room. It can keep the room cool but it's on all day to do so, especially in 100 degree heat (which we're experiencing now). I also have dual layer drywall, which should keep it cooler than a normal room.

My experience tells me you'd be much, much better off with a 3 or 5 ton regular unit for a 1,200 square foot space. It's probably more energy efficient, too.

I own an LG. Installing it yourself is not recommended.

**notorious** · 07-09-2017, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I have a 1 ton ductless mini split in my 600 square foot studio with 9 foot ceiling, along with a 54" fan in the center of the room. It can keep the room cool but it's on all day to do so, especially in 100 degree heat (which we're experiencing now). I also have dual layer drywall, which should keep it cooler than a normal room.

My experience tells me you'd be much, much better off with a 3 or 5 ton regular unit for a 1,200 square foot space. It's probably more energy efficient, too.

I own an LG. Installing it yourself is not recommended.

Installation would be a breeze. Losing a huge chunk of warranty is not cool, though.

**DaneMcCloud** · 07-09-2017, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

Installation would be a breeze. Losing a huge chunk of warranty is not cool, though.

I had my contractor install mine when my studio was being built out and yeah, it only took a few hours.

The problem was then trying to find someone to fill it with coolant. No one would touch it. I tried for weeks. Finally, my contractor called his guy, who did it for $800.

Graystoke · 07-09-2017, 06:09 PM

I have a 8 Ton Fitjitsu Mini Split System.
900 SQ Ft House. One in main house and one in the bedroom.
I picked using a Mini Split because like you I didn't want duct work and they are pretty efficient.

Pros:
Cool well.
No duct work
Remote Control from Smart Phone.
Easy to clean

Cons:
Noisy as ****
Under 15 degrees they really struggle to heat and you will need backup.

But I heat with wood.

**notorious** · 07-09-2017, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I had my contractor install mine when my studio was being built out and yeah, it only took a few hours.

The problem was then trying to find someone to fill it with coolant. No one would touch it. I tried for weeks. Finally, my contractor called his guy, who did it for $800.

My God, is that a California raping or what?!

Chief Roundup · 07-09-2017, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graystoke

I have a 8 Ton Fitjitsu Mini Split System.
900 SQ Ft House. One in main house and one in the bedroom.
I picked using a Mini Split because like you I didn't want duct work and they are pretty efficient.

Pros:
Cool well.
No duct work
Remote Control from Smart Phone.
Easy to clean

Cons:
Noisy as ****
Under 15 degrees they really struggle to heat and you will need backup.

But I heat with wood.

Don't make such a monster. 8k btu is just barely over a 1/2 ton. Which will do a space you are talking about.

**notorious** · 07-09-2017, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graystoke

I have a 8 Ton Fitjitsu Mini Split System.
900 SQ Ft House. One in main house and one in the bedroom.
I picked using a Mini Split because like you I didn't want duct work and they are pretty efficient.

Pros:
Cool well.
No duct work
Remote Control from Smart Phone.
Easy to clean

Cons:
Noisy as ****
Under 15 degrees they really struggle to heat and you will need backup.

But I heat with wood.

8 ton in 900'? Do you have 20' ceilings?

Chief Roundup · 07-09-2017, 06:31 PM

They should come with refrigerant in them, but there has to be a vacuum pulled on the line set and evaporator before the refrigerant is released into the entire system. Then after it has ran for a little while 20 minutes or so the charge will have to be adjusted by adding or removing refrigerant.
I have installed off brands that my parents ordered off the internet as well as LG, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi brands.
You can get one condenser that will control up to 4 fan coil units. I would not recommend putting one on interior walls, mainly because of the condensate drain having to run in the walls.

07-09-2017, 01:24 PM
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $2845884	Let's talk about Ductless Mini-Split Heating and Air Units My family and I will be moving out to the country soon with plenty of acreage. The farmhouse was built in 1943, so it lacks central hvac. I don't want to go through the trouble of installing a central unit with ductwork, so I am seriously considering multiple ductless mini-split units. Main floor is around 1200 ft with a wide-open floor space, upstairs is 1200 ft with 3 bedrooms and a bathroom. Basement is the same size, but is cool during the summer and warm during the winter. Give me your thoughts on cost, efficiency, aesthetics, loudness, etc. Do they heat well/air condition well? Also, please name the brand you use and your likes/dislikes. I am a very handy guy, so I am even considering installation myself. It looks easy as hell, and I have every tool know to man. Thanks guys. If you ever come out to SW Kansas, I will have Buehler buy you a drink to thank you for your assistance.
Posts: 83,445

07-09-2017, 01:28 PM	#2
Rasputin Tip of the hat LIV Champs Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ks Casino cash: $3415421	Buehler Buehler Buehler Buehler
Posts: 54,970

07-09-2017, 01:48 PM	#3
LoneWolf Constable of Untruths Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wichita Casino cash: $1651084	A good friend of mine has a cabin in southeast Kansas that he heats and cools with a mini split. I believe the brand name is Gree. It's about a 900 sq. ft. cabin and the heater seems to do a good job in the winter. I've never been there in the summer so I don't know how the A/C works.
Posts: 15,009

07-09-2017, 01:50 PM	#4
Tombstone RJ Broncos' Fan Extraordinaire! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Denver Casino cash: $10012184	I grew up in the west, and I have lived as far north as Jackson Wyoming, and in the homes up in Jackson, nobody puts in central heat and air. What they do is they put in baseboard heating units in each room with its own thermostat. So each room can control the temperature in the winter time (even the bathroom). The homes, whether they be big homes or small homes or condos or apartments or whatever, don't have air conditioning because it's not necessary. Anyway I know you can do that with heating your home, as far as the air conditioning part of your home, perhaps you can just put window units in the bedrooms or something like that? You might have to actually put a central air conditioning condenser somewhere and yes do the ductwork for the home, I don't know, but you can definitely heat each room on its own with no central heating unit. __________________ ORANGE COLORED GLASSES ARE ALWAYS ON!
Posts: 6,151

07-09-2017, 04:32 PM	#5
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6242680	They were just talked about a bit in the AC evaporator thread the other day. The one thing I would be wary of if you install yourself is the warranty. It may require licensed installation. Read it carefully.
Posts: 70,443

07-09-2017, 05:17 PM	#7
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6242680	I've been considering one for a room that was added on to our house and to supplement the living room, and even though I have knowledge and some training in HVAC I still may hire it out just so I have someone to call if anything goes wrong.
Posts: 70,443

07-09-2017, 05:31 PM	#8
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	I have a 1 ton ductless mini split in my 600 square foot studio with 9 foot ceiling, along with a 54" fan in the center of the room. It can keep the room cool but it's on all day to do so, especially in 100 degree heat (which we're experiencing now). I also have dual layer drywall, which should keep it cooler than a normal room. My experience tells me you'd be much, much better off with a 3 or 5 ton regular unit for a 1,200 square foot space. It's probably more energy efficient, too. I own an LG. Installing it yourself is not recommended.
Posts: 88,960

07-09-2017, 06:09 PM	#11
Graystoke MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Driftless Region Casino cash: $845564	I have a 8 Ton Fitjitsu Mini Split System. 900 SQ Ft House. One in main house and one in the bedroom. I picked using a Mini Split because like you I didn't want duct work and they are pretty efficient. Pros: Cool well. No duct work Remote Control from Smart Phone. Easy to clean Cons: Noisy as **** Under 15 degrees they really struggle to heat and you will need backup. But I heat with wood.
Posts: 8,723

07-09-2017, 06:31 PM	#15
Chief Roundup Admitted Planet Junky Join Date: Oct 2000 Casino cash: $1981627	They should come with refrigerant in them, but there has to be a vacuum pulled on the line set and evaporator before the refrigerant is released into the entire system. Then after it has ran for a little while 20 minutes or so the charge will have to be adjusted by adding or removing refrigerant. I have installed off brands that my parents ordered off the internet as well as LG, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi brands. You can get one condenser that will control up to 4 fan coil units. I would not recommend putting one on interior walls, mainly because of the condensate drain having to run in the walls. __________________ Fanaticism is nowhere. There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
Posts: 19,215