Replacing 4 defunct swamp coolers that are currently on roof and wreaked far too much havoc in their time ;) .(4-plex) --172.58.xx.xx

I am only familiar with conventional central air. I really want to make the best choice if I’m going this far. --172.58.xx.xx

Few places stock replacement mini split parts; they generally have to be ordered. --98.122.x.xx

Check the energy label... Poor rating. --99.203.xx.xx

One unit will only do two rooms. Cost will be crazy! --99.203.xx.xx

Drew, are you saying that you already have duct work installed and your heating system is forced hot air? --173.63.xxx.xxx

If there was little to no room, I'd install a Mini-Split System with 1, 2 or 3 Zones. (Two Bedrooms and Living Room). --47.156.xx.xx

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It is quiet and can cool or heat only one room if needed, not the whole house. --174.203.x.xxx

We were trying to make this unit a little higher-end because it's in a not-so-great neighborhood, so to command the rent we wanted we needed to upgrade the space. But from now on, we will probably stick with conventional HVACs if existing and through-wall units if not. Those are $500-$600 a unit. The 2-zone mini-splits were close to $5k total installed. --50.82.xxx.xx

Great feedback. So b/c it is my friend doing this job, he is essentially charging me $550 per unit ffor install and not jacking up price of material. So if I go conventional AC for complete job including install, $2460/unit. For mini-splits $2760, so only $300 more. I know for either it’s a screaming deal, but it seems even a more screamin deal for the mini splits if the supply lines aren’t too unsightly? He said if repairs needed he has no problem getting parts from manufacturer; great customer service. He swears by their efficiency. It’s just a new thing for me so not sure. --172.58.xx.xx

Again mini-split price is for 2 zones. --172.58.xx.xx

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I'd do the mini-splits! --50.82.xxx.xx

I've been told by HVAC guys that mini splits break down more often and cost a lot more to repair. --73.230.xxx.xx

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I hear they only last five years and no one repairs them. One cools my first floor only 700 sq feet. They let in a lot of cold air and moist air when they are not running. In winter I have to cover the indoor part with plastic. --73.178.xxx.xx

giving me a broader pic. Yes, Alexandra! Thank you, great word. It does feel like a dilemma, particularly because it’s already hot here so I’m needing to make a decision in short order to get the ball rolling - units ordered and install on the schedule. The other piece is my own internal conflict - HVAC guy saying one thing (mini splits) but my handy guy saying other -conventional. Figured best to take a poll! ;) --172.58.xx.xx

One more thing, I have hot water heat and radiators but I am trying to talk the AC guy into installing an air handler in my basement and just make one duct for the air and one return. There is a lot of stuff in this house and he's kind of lazy so not hurrying to give me a quote. I much prefer having a central air type setup as I do not trust the reliability of the mini split. I have had this one for three years and it's great but if it breaks my dogs and I will suffer unless I can get a spare window unit in quickly. --73.178.xxx.xx

SO ready for lower maintenance and no extensions ladders. I may be moving a bit further away and prefer to not rely on various on call handy men having to get on extension ladder on roof each time there is a problem. --172.58.xx.xx

I remember my AC guy poo-pooing them when I first suggested using one. He was worried about how they'd hold up with the salt air in Florida. Had to remind him Japan was an island. He swears by them now and even installed one in his own house. So quiet and efficient. Not suited for all applications though because they only do one room unless you get a multi-zoned one and they get costly. --173.170.xxx.xxx

What is the probability of your HVAC guy being around in 10 years when they need servicing? I'd take him up on the cheap installation of traditional AC units so you can repair them easily. You don't want to be an early adopter of anything that could require maintenance. --65.28.xxx.xx

Last fall we installed one in insulated garage, 900 sq feet. When i read the energy paper work...i thought oh boy this cant be right. It was on the costly side. Not energy efficent. As winter can i now have the bills to provide it... Cost more to heat our garage than all the electric used on our 3000+ sq foot house! Now that it's spring and summer it seems to be better and the house is costing more. But read the energy label. Poor. --99.203.xx.xx

If you have a manual-j giving you 24,000 with a evap coil in the ductwork you will be fine with a 18,000 mini, the hot air is already there waiting to get into the evap coil on the wall, compare manual-d to the turnover rate on a mini, look for the invertor condensing unit on the mini. --76.188.xxx.xx

Our HVAC guys install and service both types with no preference either way. Actually interviewed an HVAC guy for a place the other day and he was checking out the mini-splits, says he installs them all the time these days. They use Fujitsus and like them. Ours is something else, I forget what, but our HVAC guy said the parts are easy to get which is why he uses this particular brands. --50.82.xxx.xx

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Heat pumps work in more temperate environments, as they cannot heat or cool more than 20 degrees above or below outside temps as a general rule. --50.82.xxx.xx

I'd like to install a mini-split in own garage in Florida, it gets super hot in the summer, and the laundry and work space is out there. --50.234.xxx.xxx

I'd thought about using mini splits on a project tri-plex we bought but through a little research found that sometimes the remote in one apartment can affect the unit in a second apartment because it will see the other unit as an addition and want to control it too. So I'm pulling the units and putting them in storage for small houses. --71.213.xx.xxx

That's weird Mickie. Our remotes only work when pointed DIRECTLY at the unit. Our units are directly in line with each other, one above the other (open loft) and downstairs remote doesn't affect the upstairs unit at all. --50.82.xxx.xx

I don't know if it's a particular brand of what but I'd originally planned to move the one in the downstairs apt up to one of the upper apt (There are two apartments upstairs) and my hvac guy had no problem moving it. But said he'd had calls about splits before remotes that had stopped working and to watch for that and the issue was the remote trying to run the nearby unit. And no it wasn't a thing of getting a more expensive job out of me as it was he didn't get any business from me this time. --71.213.xx.xxx

WMH now you have me wondering if the HVAC guy was think... she's a girl so let me find a problem or something unfavorable with the splits and offer her the up sale as the solution(only I didn't let him get that far before picking a different solution that didn't include him). I really got start watching my pessimist koolaid intake. Lol --174.233.xx.xx

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