Ductless Mini Splits

[Deleted member 995608]

So I'm in the process of switching out LP wall finances and chassis type AC's at my motel business in exchange for ductless units. We're still shopping around but I'm thinking I've settled for the Fujitsu models. Also looking at Mitsubishi.

Any of you guys have the ductless systems in your homes or garages? They've been around for a while and seems they are popular choices.

My rooms average 300' sq ft. Winter lows on average are roughly 40 +/- and summer time high's average 100+/-. 9-10k BTU should be enough without oversizing.

 

[Tuesdak]

They will be quieter than the units you are swapping out. Frankly a nice improvement! Very common to use these to cool small server rooms. Both listed brands are decent. I use a heatpump version for the garage to 'take the edge off' 120 degree summers and the chill out on cold (to me) nights. I suggest you solder the line sets instead of using the threaded connectors some have - all they do is leak at the threaded connection. Hopefully you can drain them without using the troublesome condensate pumps. The noise from the pumps can startle guests and they wet ruin a wall when they fail.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I'm hoping I won't need condensate pumps either. All air handlers will mount to an exterior wall with a short distance drain. Thanks for the info.

 

[SVick]

The ductless mini splits are great if they are installed correctly. I’m in the business and probably installed over 200 mini splits over the last few years. The manufacturers do not recommend soldering the connections as there is a chance of getting debris to clog an electronic expansion valve. A real installer will have the proper flare tool, not an automotive one, and a torque wrench to keep from over tightening the flares. I personally have used Daikin for the last few years but Fujitsu and Mitsubishi are good quality products. Pick the best installer and use what he likes. A bad install can lead to many headaches with these. I have still not had one fail, ever, that was not caused by the customer or usually the tenant not cleaning the filter and dirt messing it up.
Good luck and don’t skimp or you’ll be sorry later.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I ended up ordering the Fujitsu model along with an interface module so I can use a wired controller (thermostat). It's a very basic controller with heat-cool mode, fan speed, and temp adjustment buttons only. If I give full access to all the features of the mini split to my guests, I can only imagine the problems and confusion that will occur.

I'm going to start with one cabin, run it for a season and see how it pans out. To swap over to a ductless unit is going to cost about $2k per room, so I'm hoping for this to work out economically in the long run.