Mini Split Info

[Highbeam]

Local heating and cooling guys want $8-9k to install one 12,000 btu Mitsubishi 25 seer mini split! No way can I justify that for supplemental heating and cooling!

The hvac guys hate it but these things are cheap and easy to install. No special skills required. I bought my mrcool DIY (no cutting copper, flares,Freon) minisplit is currently like 1500$. They are made to self install. I bought mine from Ingram’s due to their reputation for customer/warranty service.

 

[Whitenuckler]

The hvac guys hate it but these things are cheap and easy to install. No special skills required. I bought my mrcool DIY (no cutting copper, flares,Freon) minisplit is currently like 1500$. They are made to self install. I bought mine from Ingram’s due to their reputation for customer/warranty service.

If you release the gas from the line set and test the system, can you isolate the line set again and move it somewhere else? I know in my system(Haier) the guys know how to use the compressor to send it all back into the outdoor unit for storage. I just had some work done on two units where they did that. Of course, they would vacuum the line set after reinstallation, however I wonder with Mr Cool could you just close the isolation valves again and then you might be right back to how they ship it? Would be nice to have one in a garage, workshop or house if it didn't work out. 120 15A cct (not sure if it's 15A?) is easy to install.

This Costway seems to have a "Blast" version. Not sure what Costway, is or what they are in the USA

https://www.costway.ca/product/12000-btu-mini-split-wall-mounted-air-conditioner.html?piid=9220100&fee=45&fep=20184&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20327384803&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2ZfABhDBARIsAHFTxGwuXSda5P1xV1Qa8GAGLXXE66O0o86pN48AjhA0Fkmsr7JYXHuZ03QaAqWzEALw_wcB

 

[Todd]

Yeah it’s looking like I’d save a lot by DIY. It just pisses me off that I go to a home show and talk to five different HVAC guys and they all say $4500-5000 for an install then come out to take a look and it ends up costing double that!

 

[Whitenuckler]

Yeah it’s looking like I’d save a lot by DIY. It just pisses me off that I go to a home show and talk to five different HVAC guys and they all say $4500-5000 for an install then come out to take a look and it ends up costing double that!

What is the reason for the increased cost? Here where I live in a small city, the cost of a 240V standard house heat pump would be about $5000 plus tax (CAD). The install would maybe be around 20% of that. That would not include electrical, which can be difficult in a house, and some people have to upgrade as part of switching off oil.

 

[Highbeam]

If you release the gas from the line set and test the system, can you isolate the line set again and move it somewhere else? I know in my system(Haier) the guys know how to use the compressor to send it all back into the outdoor unit for storage. I just had some work done on two units where they did that. Of course, they would vacuum the line set after reinstallation, however I wonder with Mr Cool could you just close the isolation valves again and then you might be right back to how they ship it? Would be nice to have one in a garage, workshop or house if it didn't work out. 120 15A cct (not sure if it's 15A?) is easy to install.

This Costway seems to have a "Blast" version. Not sure what Costway, is or what they are in the USA

https://www.costway.ca/product/12000-btu-mini-split-wall-mounted-air-conditioner.html?piid=9220100&fee=45&fep=20184&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20327384803&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2ZfABhDBARIsAHFTxGwuXSda5P1xV1Qa8GAGLXXE66O0o86pN48AjhA0Fkmsr7JYXHuZ03QaAqWzEALw_wcB

Once you install it and release the initial charge of freon from the compressor you are done. The precharged lines are not meant to hold the very high pressure freon if later disconnected. That is, unless you get a real HVAC pro to come out and vacuum out the freon and then reinstall the charge after you move the system. These DIY systems are fully servicable by HVAC guys, all the ports and valves are there. The HVAC guy won't push it all back into the compressor unit but will suck it out into their tank and then reinstall (weigh in) a new charge later.

Honestly, these things are so cheap that they are not worth moving or spending much on fixing if it were to break. Once you have to call out an HVAC guy to actually mess with freon then you are getting into real money.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Once you install it and release the initial charge of freon from the compressor you are done. The precharged lines are not meant to hold the very high pressure freon if later disconnected. That is, unless you get a real HVAC pro to come out and vacuum out the freon and then reinstall the charge after you move the system. These DIY systems are fully servicable by HVAC guys, all the ports and valves are there. The HVAC guy won't push it all back into the compressor unit but will suck it out into their tank and then reinstall (weigh in) a new charge later.

Honestly, these things are so cheap that they are not worth moving or spending much on fixing if it were to break. Once you have to call out an HVAC guy to actually mess with freon then you are getting into real money.

The only reason I ask is if the OP Todd was to try one, and it didn't work out, you would like to use it elsewhere. From what you are saying, you would need the HVAC guy to move it, which is probably expensive. I know you can get a pump and gauge set easily, but the proper scale and tank/hoses is another story. Plus it's hard to get it correct if it's your first one. Those HVAC guys do it every day.

re the lines, yes I remember now, they are shipped with some inert gas in them. You are supposed to listen as you crack their valves to make sure they still had pressure in them after they leave the factory. Well, I wonder if the HVAC guy would just pump it back into the main unit like they did here. Somehow they ran it in cooling mode, and set the valves a certain way. I was surprised as I had no idea it was done that way. I have seen a tech pump it all into a tank when they were troubleshooting the compressor.

 

[EbS-P]

Honestly, these things are so cheap that they are not worth moving or spending much on fixing if it were to break.

They won’t be cheap for long. I’d like to know the inventory that is state side now.