Choosing the right brand for a mini-split

[Highbeam]

The air source heat pump water heater from tom above would be a great idea and the specs are great but it’s some Grey market Chinese thing with no brand reputation. We’re talking several thousand bucks for this thing.

It won’t be long and we’ll see the co2 systems that can heat domestic water and replace boilers in hydronic heat systems.

 

[sportbikerider78]

Crazy humid this week. The system isn't working much to cool because the temperature differential between inside and outside isn't much. We will try the humidification feature today, as the humidity is climbing because the system isn't running much.

This is our 3rd full day on the system and we couldn't be happier. I'll tidy up all the linesets in the next few days and post final install pics.

 

[Ashful]

Depending on the characteristics of your house, sometimes switching from auto fan to fan always on can make a big difference on days when it is not hot enough to make the thermostat cycle the unit on a reasonable time constant.

 

[begreen]

Crazy humid this week. The system isn't working much to cool because the temperature differential between inside and outside isn't much. We will try the humidification feature today, as the humidity is climbing because the system isn't running much.

This is our 3rd full day on the system and we couldn't be happier. I'll tidy up all the linesets in the next few days and post final install pics.

Happy for you man. It's great when a plan comes together.

 

[sportbikerider78]

Depending on the characteristics of your house, sometimes switching from auto fan to fan always on can make a big difference on days when it is not hot enough to make the thermostat cycle the unit on a reasonable time constant.

It seems like auto just leaves the fan on all the time as well. I haven't noticed it turning off at all.

 

[Ashful]

It seems like auto just leaves the fan on all the time as well. I haven't noticed it turning off at all.

Yeah, I have two Mitsubishi minisplit systems, and they do the same. Heck, I've had Mitsu minisplits for about eight years now, and I still can't figure out what they're doing most of the time. There's no clear cause/effect relationship to my control inputs and system behavior, like a traditional system, but they do work! My comment reflects more the behavior I get from my traditional system, where switching the fan to manual increases comfort on days when the system might cycle insufficiently on an "auto" setting.

 

[sportbikerider78]

Yeah, I have two Mitsubishi minisplit systems, and they do the same. Heck, I've had Mitsu minisplits for about eight years now, and I still can't figure out what they're doing most of the time. There's no clear cause/effect relationship to my control inputs and system behavior, like a traditional system, but they do work! My comment reflects more the behavior I get from my traditional system, where switching the fan to manual increases comfort on days when the system might cycle insufficiently on an "auto" setting.

It could be just that the auto keeps the fan circulating (seems like speed 2) and never any slower. I suppose it has to do that in order to better air sample.
I'm not sure what type of sensor is on the outside of it, but I have also noticed that the one in a bigger room runs speed 2-3 continuously on auto with the same settings.
Maybe they are smarter then I am giving them credit for.

 

[Ashful]

I have the MHK thermostat (external wall mounted with auto-change-over) on each of mine, and even with the sensor switched to the remote thermostat (an option you can control), it keeps that fan turning almost all the time. There’s intelligence built in there, but they don’t do a great job of explaining the behavior, for inquiring minds.

 

[CaptSpiff]

Ditto the LG. I never ran the "Dehumidify" mode because I didn't understand what "its" thinking was. No explanation in the owners manual. Finally stopped at the LG booth at an HVAC show and the Tech explained that "it" measures the incoming air temp and adjusts the coil temp to maintain a fixed lower temp. He said it maximizes the moisture removal and still "cools" the output air,... just not so much. Now that's my go to setting for when I'm not home.

 

[sportbikerider78]

I tried the setting. Felt just like blasting the ac. Maybe I'm wrong, but it sure cooled the place down and dried it out.

 

[peakbagger]

I run dehumidify when first turned on in humid weather for a few hours until the place dries out then I switch it cooling mode and set the fan on automatic.

 

[nedjinski]

Considering using a mini split system in a single large room house for the purpose of supplemental heating and cooling - not as a primary source for heating or cooling. I have a wood stove that I would continue to use and I want to cut down on the amount of wood I need every year. In the summer the room might go above 75 once in a while and I would like the ability to cool the room down but only when that happens.
Does a mini split system make sense? and can it work effectively as a supplemental system?

 

[peakbagger]

Considering using a mini split system in a single large room house for the purpose of supplemental heating and cooling - not as a primary source for heating or cooling. I have a wood stove that I would continue to use and I want to cut down on the amount of wood I need every year. In the summer the room might go above 75 once in a while and I would like the ability to cool the room down but only when that happens.
Does a mini split system make sense? and can it work effectively as a supplemental system?

Hard to beat your setup to use a minisplit for supplemental heat. Run the minisplit during shoulder seasons when you need heat at night but it warms up during the day and keep running it until the temps drop to about 20F at night.

 

[maple1]

Considering using a mini split system in a single large room house for the purpose of supplemental heating and cooling - not as a primary source for heating or cooling. I have a wood stove that I would continue to use and I want to cut down on the amount of wood I need every year. In the summer the room might go above 75 once in a while and I would like the ability to cool the room down but only when that happens.
Does a mini split system make sense? and can it work effectively as a supplemental system?

Yes, absolutely. Not sure exactly how cold your climate is, but it could even end up being your primary source, and your stove secondary. But once you have one, and another heat source, you have lots of flexibility on how to run things.

I would only do a cold climate (high efficiency) model. Any price premium is way worth it.

 

[peakbagger]

I agree with Maple, go with a cold climate unit. Check with your utility they may give you a rebate.