aknown_amoose 2 yr. ago I came here to say what this guy said. The Senville SENL 12CD is a 12,000 BTU model that is also popular and well reviewed. The exact mini-split equipment you need depends on your homes unique heating and cooling requirements, and your options are limited to the qualified installers in your areabut weve researched this topic enough to be able to tell you about the scenarios when mini-split systems make sense and how to decide among the brands available. Their MLA Cold Climate model maintains 100% efficiency to zero degrees and can produce heat up to -22 degrees. You probably dont have a ton of choice on which exact pieces of equipment you needthats determined mostly by your homes size, climate, and the heating and cooling needs youre addressing. While they are typically one step behind Mitsubishis innovation, Fujitsu gives them a run for their money. A minor reason wed look to Mitsubishi Electric or LG first is that Daikin and Fujitsu offer relatively narrow choices on the look of the wall units, but fortunately, the various combinations of the systems equipment still offer enough flexibility performance-wise to meet most homes needs. Electric strip:Common in mild climates, a simple electric heating element can be built into the heat pump itself or the indoor air handler. The 5-zone unit our Hawaii friend installed required a dedicated 40 A breaker for its 230-volt service, and his installation crew used a licensed electrical sub-contractor for the work, adding cost. Its one of the most impactful ways to reduce your carbon footprint, and it doesnt require a lifestyle change. A Bosch mini split is always a good idea. At the outset, when youre asking lots of questions, be on the lookout for pushback, a dismissive attitude, or impatienceyou should have questions, even some very basic ones, and its a good sign if a pro can answer them respectfully. One mini-split owner we spoke to said that he wished he had understood this better. It offers the highest SEER rating of any mini-split made in North America and is one of the highest in the world. Its also wise to wrap and seal your ductwork (if you have it). Looking for a reliable and energy-efficient mini-split air conditioner heat pump system? The minimum SEER allowed for a new split system heat pump in the U.S. today is 13, and 14 in the southern half of the country. $1,685 at Amazon. Contractors who bid on your job should calculate the required heating and cooling capacity using a recognized method, such as one found in the ACCAs Residential Load Calculation Manual, also called Manual J. Comparing a 1-Ton Heat Pump: Mitsubishi vs Fujitsu vs Daikin vs Gree As I stated earlier, the four ductless brands we get asked about most are: Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, Daikin, and Gree. They also have an app for their mini-split systems allowing you to control everything from your phone. Clean grilles and filters monthly. 3. Mitsubishi Electric runs its smart features off a proprietary app, Kumo Cloud, which controls multiple zones via a clean-looking interface. They also have a reputation for durability. You heat with delivered fuels like propane or heating oil, or with an electric-resistance furnace or electric baseboard heaters. To play it safe, an installer might suggest going with a bigger outdoor unit, which has the flexibility to serve multiple indoor units. But modern heat pumps in a properly designed system can provide all the heat a home will need up through zone 6. Doug Mahoney is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering home improvement. (1)Compared to 14 SEER wall-mounted systems. As theyre a company from the Midwest, it only seems right that they produce some of the best cold weather mini-splits available. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Bosch Ultra-Quiet 12K BTU 230V Mini Split Air Conditioner & Cooling System with Inverter Heat Pump, 20.7 SEER High-Efficiency at Amazon.com. I have to run the heat at 90 degrees for it to feel comfortable, she says. Multi-zone systems wont be as efficient as single-zone systems because of the required power. Bcmcdonald 2 yr. ago Mitsubishi is #1 in mini splits and has been for a long time. Retrieve your username. Theyre also relatively easy to install and maintain, which boosts them in the eyes of HVAC installers. Mini-splits are also more energy-efficient than ducted heat pumps because they avoid the energy losses associated with ductwork. If youre specifically interested in heat pumps, we have a guide for that, too.Further readingA Heat Pump Might Be Right for Your Home. The 09CD model is a Senville mini split air conditioner 9000 BTU system with enough power to chill a room up to 450 square feet. Save money on one of 3 used Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions in Ashburn, VA. Find your perfect car with Edmunds expert reviews, car comparisons, and pricing tools. Bosch The Climate 5000 Ductless Minisplit Heat Pump System delivers up to a 22 SEER rating, with an operating range of -13 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, mini-splits can save you up to 30% on your energy bills compared to central air cooling systems. With the right heat pump and system design for your home and regional climate, a backup heating system should not be necessary. The two companies work together to produce their mini-split systems as Fujitsu makes the outdoor units and Rheem makes the indoor units. However, theyve quickly made a name for themselves as one of the best mid-level mini-split companies in the country. But Fujitsu isn't far behind. This is a multi-thousand-dollar job, but wed advise this even for simpler workit really gives you a clear sense of what the market for this work is like and often helps you weed out options youre less comfortable with, giving you the confidence to commit to the best place available. You can also handle some maintenance on your own. For example, CR members surveyed paid a median price of $7,791 to purchase and install a heat pump, vs. $6,870 for gas furnaces. They also blow cooler air than furnaces and run almost constantly at a low level, rather than blasting heat for short periods throughout the day. If you have an appropriate body of water on your property, these can be easier and less expensive to install than ground-source systems. A good HVAC firm will know what equipment to useespecially for tricky jobs that require some expertise and experience to design aroundand the technical skill the pros bring to the installation will affect its initial performance as well as whatever service calls you make over the years. Seek referrals from neighbors, family members, business associates, or local green-energy resource groups. EfficiencySome heat pumps use less energy than others to deliver the same level of comfort. Mitsubishi offers sleek designs and comparable warranties to Daikin and Fujitsu. Until relatively recently, air-source heat pumps were predominantly used only in the southern U.S., where theyre a natural fit for hot summers and mild winters. The indoor units are quiet and most new mini-split systems have enhanced abilities to filter the air from pollutants, mold, and allergens to keep your home healthy. We do not test or recommend specific heat pump models because the systems are highly customized to individual houses and climates. I decided to compare one of the most common configurations; a 1-Ton heat pump. Not all mini-split brands offer this option, so choose your brand wisely. And there should also be 5 feet of clearance between the top of the unit and any trees above. We still dont recognize that sign in. The controller units are not wall mounted but unobtrusive within most modern decor. Even in the perfect location, mini-split indoor units take up a chunk of wall space and theyre not the most attractive things in the world, as we heard separately from two friends who recently installed them. Weigh the options: If youre deciding between some optionssay, a 2-zone version of your system versus a 4-zone, ask for written estimates for both configurations. This is not to say installation is simple, however, the vent hose hardware that every portable AC uses, one-zone Mitsubishi Electric system with a single indoor unit, take your pick among qualified installers, a larger pool of service technicians to choose from, SmartThinQs roughly 3.5-star average across about 3,000 reviews, theres a forum full of Reddit homeowners who say theyve done it, The Air Conditioning Contractors of America, How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Reward Points. Depending on which LG mini-split you purchase, your warranty ranges from five to twelve years, slightly longer than many competitors. Start by asking homeowners in your community for recommendations for (or warnings against) local HVAC firms. Ever since, Mitsubishi has been the industry leader in innovation, new technology, and efficiency. 2023 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. You should look for a system with a rating of 20 or higher. Panasonics catalog covers the basics, and it places less emphasis on smart capability than the competitors, referring to internet control of its devices. The app is cleaner and much more straightforward, but it doesnt try to do as much as the Ambi. Keep in mind that they go as high as the low to mid-40s. While Gree mini-splits certainly isnt as grand as Mitsubishi or Fujitsu products, theyre an excellent option if youre on a budget. The installation process for both systems is essentially the same, too. The indoor noise levels of Bosch Climate 5000 12k are 39.5 / 34 / 25 dB for Hi/Mi/Lo fan speed setting. The threshold for poor performance varies from model to model: Some heat pumps falter at 25F, others at 17F or lower. Bosch is one of the best and most recognizable HVAC brands. CR doesnt yet have enough brand-specific data to report on the prices members paid to purchase and install ductless mini-splits; according to HomeAdvisor, their installed cost can range from $2,000 to $14,500, depending on the capacity and the number of zones. Because of their energy savings and environmental benefits, some states and utility companies offer rebates or otherincentives to homeownerswho install heat pumps. A lower rating is better, especially if the heat pump will be installed near a bedroom window. Ask for a printout of all calculations and assumptions, including ductwork design. The harder your system is to install and maintain, the more likely it is that something will go wrong during the installation. Youre likely to need a backup heating system if you live in one of these areas. We have thousands of listings and a variety of research tools to help you find the . Federal and local incentives can reduce the cost significantly, and the systems are so energy-efficient that the savings from your utility bills could offset the cost of installation within 10 years, even by conservative estimates. A related (more avoidable) downside is winding up with a system that feels undersized for your needs, even in less extreme weather, which happened to our LA friend. But with state or utility-based subsidieswhether theyre tax incentives or cash rebatesa heat pump can cost less than other heat-only systems. These may be lesser-known brands, but they both have wide-ranging networks of installers in most North American markets. 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. Multiple zones via a clean-looking interface, which controls multiple zones via a clean-looking interface, has. 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