Mini Splits AC/heaters

Blue Ring Octopus · Aug 4, 2025

So I was looking into these things, anyone run one, is the install process easy?
I guess there might be federal and state rebates for them as well.
It seems the installers want at least 100% cost of the unit for a install and that might be considered cheap.
Does the highest seer and with the heat option, does the heater help keep the coil free from moisture due to the fact it is always keeping it warm?
EG4 has one with a ERV unit on the side.

CBonito · Aug 6, 2025

Blue Ring Octopus said:
So I was looking into these things, anyone run one, is the install process easy?
I guess there might be federal and state rebates for them as well.
It seems the installers want at least 100% cost of the unit for a install and that might be considered cheap.
Does the highest seer and with the heat option, does the heater help keep the coil free from moisture due to the fact it is always keeping it warm?
EG4 has one with a ERV unit on the side.

This is something I am considering too.
I have central air right now, but it gets hot upstairs.
These are NOT difficult to install on your own if you are willing to do a little work.

My only issue is the amp rating of the units I am seeing. It looks like they all draw more than the circuit my external condenser unit is on, so I have to look into that. I want like a 5 zone system.

Other than that, it's kind of straightforward. You'll have a hole for each inside blower unit and condensate drain.
And when everything is connected you'll vac the system down with a vacuum pump, and release the refrigerant in the unit into the system, to check if you need more.

Staghorn · Aug 8, 2025

We have these on a bunch of Rentals, honestly, you can get them in Miami for like 250 bucks and they are very good quality, I’m sure an HVAC guy would say it’s not the same, but they are a fraction of the cost. The installation is super easy. You are supposed to evacuate them before opening the valve to release the refrigerant into the unit. I have a guy that does that right now.. but to be perfectly honest I have two units that I installed myself about 12 years ago, and I honestly didn’t know what I was doing, so I did not hook them up to the vacuum and they are still running. I doubt you can expect the same luck I had with these units but I would definitely recommend them to anyone that has a small place or a room they want to cool

Blue Ring Octopus · Aug 9, 2025

Thanks for commenting, I live where the electricity is very expensive, 0.33 to 0.73 cents a KWH.
1) Mitsubishi but pricey
2) Pioneer cheap and easy
3? EG4 the one that hooks up to solar and then switches to AC at night
I am not sure if the 30% rebate is a state discount or a federal, that makes 1 and 3 possible,
A EG4 model has one with a ERV

CBonito · Aug 9, 2025

Blue Ring Octopus said:
Thanks for commenting, I live where the electricity is very expensive, 0.33 to 0.73 cents a KWH.
1) Mitsubishi but pricey
2) Pioneer cheap and easy
3? EG4 the one that hooks up to solar and then switches to AC at night
I am not sure if the 30% rebate is a state discount or a federal, that makes 1 and 3 possible,
A EG4 model has one with a ERV

My problem is that upstairs I have only one heat/ac vent which is not enough when it gets hot out.

That looks like a great unit to get.
I can bring a 120v circuit outside no big deal. I DO NOT have room for another 230v, and 12000BTU for upstairs is more than enough. I use one of those 6000btu portable units how and it's marginal, so double that will do it. Plus I can heat with it because it gets colder up here in the winter as well. And that's cheap actually!

Blue Ring Octopus · Aug 9, 2025

How big is the upstairs and how many rooms.
I heard something about the highest Seer units that have a heating element that heat keeps the evaporator from getting mold on it because it is always keeping just hot enough to stop it, the lesser units no.