Friends - I need some guidance and personal experience assistance related to Mini Split Ductless AC systems. The one that keeps popping up in my searches with great reviews is the Pioneer brand - and one of the units I am looking at is linked below.

https://www.pioneerminisplit.c...er-heat-pump-230-vac


My situation is I want to put a unit in my fully insulated work shop and I do not want to put a window unit in so I was thinking this might be the next step between a window unit and a ducted system. I have sufficient available power to and in the shop panel to support this size or even a slightly larger unit related to power.

My questions are as follows:

1> Is Pioneer a good quality company related to this product field? If not please advise what companies I should be looking at.

2> Can I do some of this install myself (hang to unit, drill the holes, run the lines, pour the outside concrete pad, etc) or do I/should I leave the total install and hookup to licensed professionals (I am not a licensed electrician or licensed plumber).

3> Any significant pros and/or cons to these units/systems?

Thanks in advance for any and all feedback/guidance.

I can't comment on Pioneer...I went with Mitsubishi.

I can tell you to read the warranty carefully. Some require installation by certified sub contractors as well as required yearly service in order to honor warranty claims.

In reference to above, maybe find a way to check on parts prices. These things can get speedy if repairs are needed.

I was looking at putting one on the addition I built. I did a lot of research.

Mitsubishi is almost twice the cost of a Pioneer. There is a reason. Serviceability. I was speaking with the refrigeration tech that services the equipment at work (and my house), and he gave very long explanations about the different systems. I don’t remember all the details, but the extra cost of the Mitsubishi was well worth it.

Mitsubishi is the Gold Standard here...They also make a 'Ceiling Cassette' unit that installs between the ceiling joists (excellent for bedroom installations w/ attic space access) that is w/o equal in the industry!

FWIW, nearly every mini-split I've seen in Central & South America and Australia, where they're pretty much the standard for A/C, is Mitsubishi.

I was shopping them here for my MIL's old farmhouse and Mitsu would have been my pick if we had pulled the trigger.

-Rob

The Mr. Cool brand are designed to install yourself, I have no experience with them though. I was looking at Bosch, mainly because you can get a good deal on them at Home Depot a couple times a year.

Here is a video of an install on one from a guy I follow on Youtube: Mini Split Install

Getting proposals now - my decision will be between Mitsubishi and Fujitsu

I too went with Mitsubishi. I did everything for the install myself except hooking up the refrigeration lines. I hired a local HVAC tech to hook those up and start it. Mine is still running great after 20 plus years. I had problems with a control board about 5 years after the install and had to change out the mother board. Board was covered by warranty but labor to diagnose problem and troubleshoot was not covered. Approximately $500 in labor. I would highly recommend Mitsubishi.

My son purchased a Franklin mini split unit 7 years ago for his garage. He went with Franklin because of the low price. He had a small Freon leak show up in about the 4th year where he needs to add about a 1/2 pound of Freon each year to make it cool or heat. This year the compressor just went out so he intends to replace the whole unit, but I don't know what brand he is considering right now.

I am a general contractor and have always used Mitsubishi or Samsung mini splits in all of my commercial jobs where one was specified or needed.

We have 2
Both were already installed when we bought the house.
1 in our small guest house & the other in our garage/home office/gym.

Tiny house has a Vtronix
Garage is a Daikin

Both seem to work well, no complaints other than the Daikin tends to go through batteries, in the remote, faster than I'd expect.

I recently had a 2 ton mini split installed in an open area of approx 700 sq ft. Best money I've spent in a while. Cost was $3500 otd install & tax included.

I know zero about brands and did no research, having complete faith in our installer. He installed Durastar brand and it works better than I expected. Very quiet and brings temp down fast, eases the load on the main system and in 3 electric bills since we've had it they are down slightly compared to last year.

I can't comment on Pioneer. I had a 1.5 ton Mistu. Mr Slim (cooling only) for 17 years, never a service call. I cleaned the interior head unit and exterior fins annually. Replaced it during our remodel with 2 Daikin heatpump splits (3T/4Head & 1 T/1Head). The programming flexibility and options on the Daikin remotes is great. 2 yrs now with Diakins and no problems. If you don't need the heat, my SIL has some Samsung models for 2 yrs now, and no issues. These were 1/2 the price of the Diakins.

We have a Mr Slim in our server room at work. Now that I think of it, I don't know that it's ever been serviced, and we put it in almost 10 years ago...
Still cools great, but could probably do with a once-over. Will have to bring that up to my boss.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
We have a Mr Slim in our server room at work. Now that I think of it, I don't know that it's ever been serviced, and we put it in almost 10 years ago...
Still cools great, but could probably do with a once-over. Will have to bring that up to my boss.

Might want to clean the filter on that thing.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
The Mr. Cool brand are designed to install yourself, I have no experience with them though. I was looking at Bosch, mainly because you can get a good deal on them at Home Depot a couple times a year.

Here is a video of an install on one from a guy I follow on Youtube:

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=I0B4X8ETOv0]Mini Split Install[/url]

Thx mrvmax, I liked that video. I have no idea what the cost is of the Mr Cool units are but do seem doable for a diy job. Interesting.

100% DIY, no HVAC tech required, pre-charged with refrigerant.
I installed a 1 ton MrCool last year in my shed, really not difficult at all, took about 5-6 hours. It's been operating for just over a year, but I mostly use it for humidity control, so it only runs ~40 or so minutes a day during the summer. I ran it a few times in heat mode back in December-January as well, seems to do okay at both tasks.

Mine was the older Gen 3 single phase 22 SEER, really nice unit.

Added:
Things NOT included in their DIY kit that you'll probably want/need:
1. Pad for compressor
2. Line-set cover kit
3. 3.5" hole saw for the wall protrusion

They also make multi-zone units.

I would think that a PTAC would be a better fit for a garage than a split system. Any reason for chosing SS over PTAC?

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
I would think that a PTAC would be a better fit for a garage than a split system. Any reason for chosing SS over PTAC?

I'm sure they're out there, I've looked around a good bit, but I'm not seeing a whole lot of package systems with an SEER better than 14 that don't cost quite a bit more. Most I've seen have an EER of 10-12.

It "may" be an easier install, but it's also going to cost more to operate.

I have had my two(2) Fujitsu mini-split units in my workshop(40X40ft with 11 ft ceilings) for many years now. I could not be more pleased. They work as advertised and heat/cool on demand. If one of mine goes bad, I will purchase another Fujitsu unit.

quote:

Originally posted by stoic-one:

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
I would think that a PTAC would be a better fit for a garage than a split system. Any reason for chosing SS over PTAC?

I'm sure they're out there, I've looked around a good bit, but I'm not seeing a whole lot of package systems with an SEER better than 14 that don't cost quite a bit more. Most I've seen have an EER of 10-12.

It "may" be an easier install, but it's also going to cost more to operate.

That makes sense, didn't realize there was such an efficiency gap there.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
That makes sense, didn't realize there was such an efficiency gap there.

I don't think the footprint of a PTAC lends itself well to increasing the size of the condenser coil, which is how most of the HVAC manufacturers squeeze out a good chunk of increased SEER.

On a mini-split, or even standard split system, the condenser coil (including compressor) is a separate unit that can be placed wherever. There's more real estate to work with.