We asked installers, manufacturers, and homeowners who have mini-split systems to tell us what anyone considering one would need to know. (3)Feature is only available on Generation 3 single zone system only (4)Available in 115V. And there should also be 5 feet of clearance between the top of the unit and any trees above. But a well-maintained system should run more efficiently. Central HVAC usually forces air through several roomsor the entire houseoften heating or cooling rooms that arent even being used. Heat pumps with higher SEER and HSPF ratings tend to cost more, but theyll often pay for themselves over time through lower energy costs, and they may be eligible for better tax incentives or rebates than less efficient models. On the other hand, an oversized unit will cost more, and if it isnt a variable-speed model, it will cycle on and off more often than it should. Those two components of that system are separated by a very thin wall, and that thin wall is not doing a great job of keeping heat energy out. With a mini-split, he said, the two components are now separated by your insulated wall.. We evaluated the options by looking broadly at the characteristics common to the brands as a wholecomparing things like warranty, aesthetic options, smart features, and other factors that would make a meaningful impact if we were shopping for ourselves. This is not always the case. Consumer Reports members can also viewour heat pump ratingsfor the most reliable brands of ducted heat pumps and the brands with the highest owner satisfaction. If you hire a service technician, heres what youll want them to do, once a year: clean and flush the coils, drain the pan and drainage system, and vacuum the blower compartments. Make plans for maintenance: Mini-split maintenance is usually minimal but is also best done by an HVAC technician, at least until you watch them enough times to know the ins and outs yourself. furnace, it may need only a 36,000-Btu/hr. Theyre also one of the only western-European producers of mini-splits. A company with a long history of high-quality mini-splits, Offer various kinds of mini-splits with multiple installation options, Extremely high-efficiency with SEER ratings of 20+, One of the most expensive options with a price range of $3,000 to $15,000, Extremely high-efficiency ratings ranging from 20 for multi-zone systems to 35 for singles, One of the most dependable names in the business, Offer a limited five-year warranty on their products, Partnership with Rheem gives them an advantage, Slightly less expensive than Mitsubishi but still very pricy, ranging between $3,500 and $15,000, Very affordable mini-split systems ranging in price from $1,000 to $10,000, It offers a silent mode feature where the indoor unit is extremely quiet, They dont have as wide a variety of products that other brands do, Not as long-lasting or efficient as other top brands, One of the best cold-weather mini-split brands in the world, Renowned for their reliability and durability, Offer a wide variety of single and multi-zone systems, Theyre at the low end of the spectrum in terms of efficiency, Carry a fairly steep price tag despite their inefficiencies, Affordable pricing compared to other top mini-split brands, Tend to focus on efficiency above all else, Offer several outdoor and indoor installation options, Dont do as well in cold temperatures as other top brands, While efficient, they arent as reliable or long-lasting as other makers. The minimum HSPF is 8.2. Ductless heat pump systems, called mini-splits, can provide heating and cooling in a home without ducts, or add climate control to rooms that the main system doesnt reach. The variable speed motors in a mini-split are never at a dead stop.. Ground-source or geothermal heat pumps absorb and release heat underground, where the temperature is a constant 50F to 60F all year. The company offers many rebates as well as multiple control options. Bosch: Bosch: MRCOOL: Name: Multi 24000 BTU 2-Ton 21.3 SEER Dual (2) Zone Wall Mount Air Conditioner Heat Pump, 230-Volt 16 ft. Max Performance Pro Pack 24,000 BTU 2-Ton Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner and Heat Pump No Line Set 230V: DIY 36,000 BTU 3-Ton 2-Zone Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner Heat Pump, 25 ft. + 75 ft. Basic heat pumps have been common in the lower-numbered zones for decades. You want to significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Thats what central systems do, says Mike Smith, senior marketing manager of Mitsubishi Electric, one of the prominent mini-split brands sold in North America. Be leery of a contractor who bases estimates merely on house size or vague rules of thumb. Theyre renowned for their energy efficiency, cheap operation, and easy installation. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'homeinspectioninsider_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_8',835,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-homeinspectioninsider_com-medrectangle-3-0'); While the overall operation is much more complicated, this gives you a general idea of how mini-split heat pumps operate. Cool produces one of the only DIY mini-split units globally that anyone and everyone can easily install. We found the overall design unappealing, the app was difficult to use, and the controllers were difficult to connect to our AC units. Some, but not all, mini-splits are also heat pumps; this refers to a different method of moving heat in and out of a room. Influence-free. Lennox was founded in the Heartland in Iowa, and theyve been making top-notch products for over 100 years. He also raises sheep and has a dairy cow that he milks every morning. Youll be in touch throughout the installation, and in the future for service calls, warranty claims, or other troubleshooting. Call Us Today! But if thats all part of your new installation process, it could be all right. Like Mitsubishi, Fujitsu offers excellent products with a reputation for resilience and dependability. Many people think of Fujitsu as Mitsubishis top competitor in the realm of mini-splits. aknown_amoose 2 yr. ago I came here to say what this guy said. A heat pumps cooling capacity is measured in British thermal units per hour (Btu/hr.). Panasonics catalog covers the basics, and it places less emphasis on smart capability than the competitors, referring to internet control of its devices. Ductless mini-split systems are sweeping the nation and are quickly becoming one of the top options for heating and cooling a home. Here are some scenarios in which it can be expensive, difficult, or impossible to install one. *All vehicle prices . The signal strength of the units to the AC is hit or miss. Again, the higher the number, the more energy-efficient the unit. De Stasio told us a typical single-unit install costs roughly $3,000-$5,000, but if youre looking to create a whole-house systemwhich needs multiple indoor units and a larger outdoor unit to support themit can start getting cost-prohibitive. Technically you can run a heat pump on a system like this, especially if its a smaller-capacity mini-split. The most common type of heat pumps, called air-source heat pumps, work by absorbing heat from the air and moving it either from outdoors to indoors (in heating mode) or vice versa (in cooling mode). In 20 years, the difference is $809.02. can also be expressed in tons, with 1 ton equaling 12,000 Btu/hr. How many square feet will a mini-split cool? They tend to include noise estimates across a variety of outdoor temperatures and fan speeds, measured in decibels. The company has a well-established name in the market, and an extensive installer base. Seek mini-split experience: Seek some confirmationphotos of previous jobs, customer testimonials, Yelp reviewsthat this crew has done a few mini-split installations before and their work has satisfied others. They also sent us a few oddly formatted and what can best be described as vaguely spam-y looking emails. The Ambi Climate 2 is the most in-depth of the three. Lennox is perhaps the top overall American brand for mini-splits and HVAC equipment in terms of popularity. As with all things in life, your budget will likely play a significant role in your final decision. Clean grilles and filters monthly. The thermostat in the hallway 30 feet away has no idea that its 85 degrees in the sunroom. A mini-split will allow you to condition that sunroom separately from the rest of the home. If you live in a warm climate, pay closer attention to the SEER. You can use a heat pump as the sole heating and cooling appliance in your home, or you can combine a heat pump with an existing heating system. As of the writing of this post, all of the units we have installed have been the Bosch Variable Speed 1.0. But the technology has improved, making air-source heat pumps a practical choice almost anywhere in the countryeven in places with cold winters. The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us. To play it safe, an installer might suggest going with a bigger outdoor unit, which has the flexibility to serve multiple indoor units. As a result, theyve become one of the top American brands in the world. You also have to commit to a location with the indoor units, and theres no moving them around, like with window air conditioners or portable ACs. Carrier produces several great mini-splits, but their 9,000 BTU single-zone system with a SEER rating of 42 might be their best. As counterintuitive as it seems, theres always some free heat energy in the air, even on frigid winter days. Good insulation and air sealing of your home and duct system are important regardless of how you heat your home, but theyre even more beneficial with heat pumps. More than half of all homes in the U.S. already use ducts to distribute heating and cooling. Protect Yourself From Indoor Air Pollution, reliability and owner satisfaction ratings, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In 2018, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that almost 14 percent of U.S. homes use a heat pump as their primary heating (and cooling) system. I started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance. These may be lesser-known brands, but they both have wide-ranging networks of installers in most North American markets. In terms of efficiency, Fujitsu is almost a consistent winner. This pre-charged mini split heat pump has everything you need for a quick and easy DIY installation - no special tools or training required. A Bosch mini split is always a good idea. It combines a decent SEER rating of 22 with the ability to operate in temperatures down to -13 degrees Farhenheit. They also have a variety of installation types for their indoor units, ranging from wall-mounted to ceiling-mounted to floor-mounted. They're not just for non- HVAC techs. Systems that meet Energy Star guidelines for efficiency have a minimum SEER of 15. As theyre a company from the Midwest, it only seems right that they produce some of the best cold weather mini-splits available. In 2017, a friend in Los Angeles installed a one-zone Mitsubishi Electric system with a single indoor unit for a total installed cost of about $4,500. What kind of warranty does the contractor offer on the labor (independent of the manufacturers warranty)? If youre looking for something more complicated with higher efficiency ratings and works better in cold temperatures, they offer several non-DIY mini-split options. Gree is based in China and is known for producing solid products at an affordable price. It may be used in both single- and multi-zone. (1)Compared to 14 SEER wall-mounted systems. If you live in an area where the temperature rarely or never drops below freezing (32F), a basic heat pump can handle the bulk of your heating and cooling needs. 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