My Mini-splits toast; Any recommendations

[petek]

Naturally once the weather got hot our Misubishi Mr.Slim kicked the bucket. I had the service guy in today and it's leaked somewhere. They can't recharge it without finding the leak first etc.. that costs a fortune and there's no guarantees. I'd probably end up spending close to a grand to have it repaired. It came with this house and it's about 15-20 years old so it had a long run. I'm going to have it replaced and have called 3 dealers to come and give me an estimate.
I'm just wondering if anyone else has had good luck or terrible luck with any particular brand and how much did you pay for it all installed if you don't mind me asking.

I'm looking for a single unit about 18,000 BTU with NO heat.. just a straightforward cooler. From looking on-line Mitsubishi's seem to be much higher priced than other brands like LG .

 

[frigilux]

What is a Mitsubishi Mr. Slim, Pete?

 

[tomturbomatic]

Gene, it's one of those air conditioners where the evaporator mounts onto the wall inside the house and connects to the compressor/condenser outside through a 3" hole in the wall.

 

[frigilux]

Oh, OK! Thanks for the info, Tom.

 

[xraytech]

We have the Mitsubisi Mr. Slims in our department at work to help keep our rooms from overheating. They really work great and we have not had one give any trouble.

I would assume going for a cheaper brand you will end up getting what you pay for

 

[brisnat81]

Hi Pete,

We've had a good run with the Panasonic units here, I dont know if they're available in the US.

We've got the previous generation of the one in the link.

Look for the Invertor models AKA Variable speed compressors, We replaced on of our Bedroom units moving from single speed compressor to inverter and had a drop of $40 in Elec for the main summer bill. Thats on an AC that only runs for 2 hours a day at night.

The oldest one we've got is almost 20 years old and it has never missed a beat. The newest is 2 years old and has been trouble free.

http://panasonic.com.au/products/details.cfm?objectID=5358

 

[toggleswitch]

Mitsubishi mini-splits.

While relatively new to us here, this style of A/C is a European classic. Up to four inside units (evaporators) may be connected to one ouside unit (condenser/compressor).

Personally I would opt for the heat-pump version, in case of a a heating crisis. (Broken gas line, broken boiler). One can even just heat a room or two instead of an entire floor/zone.... For heating you may want to put an inside unit down low. There exist inside units that look like a radiator/hotel-style PTAC unit, intended for use under a window.

The Mistubish is supposed to have a variable-speed DC compressor that is supposed to boost performance, and balance the system to the capacity required. [this post was last edited: 6/3/2010-10:36]

http://extranet.mehvac.com/products/category.asp?ProductCategoryID=24

 

[countryguy]

I have had a split duct cooling system for about 4 years now. My memory is failing me however and I don't remember the brand name (I'll have to check when I get home) or the size. I do know that it is not LG or Mitsubishi. It is a cooling system only. It cost approximately $2800 installed.

Gary

 

[tomturbomatic]

Toggles, I wonder why there is nothing when I call up the floor mounted a/c unit you mentioned.

 

[countryguy]

Just remembered...mine is a Comfort Aire.

Gary

 

[toggleswitch]

Perhaps the floor-mounted inside unit is not a Mitsubishi?

Freidrich also makes mini-splits.