EcoRenovator  

Go Back   EcoRenovator > Improvements > Renovations & New Construction
Advanced Search
 


Blog 60+ Home Energy Saving Tips Recent Posts


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-03-18, 01:35 AM   #1
Mukiwa
Lurking Renovator
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: BC
Posts: 16
Thanks: 2
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Mini split air conditioners

Does any one have any recomendatioms for a mini split system that I would be installing myself. I know some brands require a licensed tech to instal the unit and I don’t want to have any waeenty issues down the road as I will be installing it myself. (I may hire a hvac guy to test the system and charge for me)

Mukiwa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-03-18, 01:04 PM   #2
pinballlooking
Super Moderator
 
pinballlooking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SC
Posts: 2,923
Thanks: 172
Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts
Default

I have had good luck with the upper line of Gree products. I have three TERRA 9K units I am very happy with but you have a colder climate.
Maybe look at
https://www.greecomfort.com/our-products/sapphire/
__________________
Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Solar Install 12.5 Kwh-
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Mini Split installs -
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

EV Chevy Volt -
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
pinballlooking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-18, 04:23 AM   #3
stevehull
Steve Hull
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: hilly, tree covered Arcadia, OK USA
Posts: 826
Thanks: 241
Thanked 165 Times in 123 Posts
Default

Depends where in BC you are in terms of total heat load.
__________________
consulting on geothermal heating/cooling & rational energy use since 1990
stevehull is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-18, 09:32 AM   #4
stevehull
Steve Hull
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: hilly, tree covered Arcadia, OK USA
Posts: 826
Thanks: 241
Thanked 165 Times in 123 Posts
Default

I followed pinball's lead and also installed a Gree unit. No problems whatsoever and straightforward DIY install.

Did get a licensed HVAC friend check it out and supply his information so I have full warrantee.
__________________
consulting on geothermal heating/cooling & rational energy use since 1990
stevehull is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-18, 09:07 PM   #5
Mukiwa
Lurking Renovator
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: BC
Posts: 16
Thanks: 2
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by stevehull View Post
Depends where in BC you are in terms of total heat load.
Central BC (-25C winters) but we won’t be heating the house with them. Maybe as backup but we have a hydronic slab and two wood stoves.
Mukiwa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-18, 09:44 PM   #6
pinballlooking
Super Moderator
 
pinballlooking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SC
Posts: 2,923
Thanks: 172
Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts
Default

The mini splits really shine in cooling mode.
They cool really well at a very low cost.
__________________
Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Solar Install 12.5 Kwh-
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Mini Split installs -
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

EV Chevy Volt -
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
pinballlooking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-18, 10:54 PM   #7
Mukiwa
Lurking Renovator
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: BC
Posts: 16
Thanks: 2
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

When we were getting quotes to get mini splits instaled they wanted like $15k for 3 heads so we tossed that idea. Then I watched a video and realized how easy it is so they are back on the table.
Mukiwa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-18, 11:15 PM   #8
Mukiwa
Lurking Renovator
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: BC
Posts: 16
Thanks: 2
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Obviously instaling the units right off the bat while we are building is the smartest way to go but we just don’t have the extra cash in the budget. Plus we would like to see how the house handles the heat first before we invest in AC. Iff I ran conduit to the locations I want to instal the units down the road what size would they have to be? I’m hoping they would fit inside 2” pvc but do the copper lines have to be insulated from each other? It would be a fairly straight shot from the unit to the instal location so I’m not worried about being able to pull it in.
Mukiwa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-26-18, 08:23 AM   #9
Mikesolar
Master EcoRenovator
 
Mikesolar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 958
Thanks: 40
Thanked 158 Times in 150 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mukiwa View Post
When we were getting quotes to get mini splits instaled they wanted like $15k for 3 heads so we tossed that idea. Then I watched a video and realized how easy it is so they are back on the table.
$15k? Wow, I don't charge enough.I don't believe you will not find a multi head unit that does not require a vac pump and nitrogen, gauges etc to install. There are some single head ones but you cannot cut the tubing if they are too long as they are under a vacuum. I'm not fond of them anyway because you cannot guarantee how good of a vacuum is in it or if there is enough refrigerant in the system. I have had to add more to some that were purchased by a homeowner and I was asked to install.
Mikesolar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-19, 12:57 PM   #10
WyrTwister
Master EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 543
Thanks: 6
Thanked 44 Times in 38 Posts
Default

Get the highest SEER unit you can afford . I recommend 3 separate units , instead of a 3 head unit .

We have installed 2 units in our house , DIY . I had the vacuum pump and mosy of the tooling .

Wyr
God bless

WyrTwister is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to WyrTwister For This Useful Post:
vwhead77 (01-20-19)
Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:45 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Ad Management by RedTyger
Inactive Reminders By Icora Web Design