Mini Split A/C for Home

[jd1923]

I'd like to install a Mini Split A/C at home. Looking for my technical friends here who have researched models or installed one in your home.

Our home, built in 1980, is still on the original HVAC system (with a few repairs I've made). It's a combined unit up on stilts, attached to one end of our long 4100 SF home. The other end of the home doesn't get much airflow and neither do the bedrooms. I'd like to install a dual-head mini split, one head in our bedroom and the other in my office where I train via Zoom in the afternoons. Both rooms get hot in the summer and it's a waste cooling the entire home low enough to cool these two small rooms (only 180 SF each). It would be OK if cool air flowed out in the hallway too to give the old system some help. Likely the smallest dual unit at 9,000 + 9,000 BTU is enough, or maybe 12 + 12.

I see brands that are familiar like Tosot, Turbro and Pioneer, since they make RV units. I also see Senville, Cooper & Hunter, Daiken, Della and others. Any brand preference? I see Senville has good reviews with a 5/10 yr warranty. I'd like to buy from an HVAC distributor vs. Amazon, but each time I find a link the $2K dual unit on Amazon goes for over $3K elsewhere!

Definitely need a dual head unit and the 2 rooms are side-by-side on one exterior wall which should make for a tidy installation. Time to drill into our home instead of the Oliver! 🤣

115V would be a close run. I could tap into a bedroom outlet which only has a nightstand lamp on the circuit. For 230V I can add a breaker and run wire from the garage along the soffit. Thinking 230V is more efficient, but not sure. Is R32 the best refrigerant or another kind? Lots of Qs!

Any installation or use experience out there? Thanks

[pjt]

Just installed a 24k BTU Pioneer mini split in my garage. Takes some time and effort, but it's doable if you're handy. I don't have experience with a dual head unit.

You will need some specialty tools:

• Cut, debur, and flare copper tubing (get the Yellow Jacket eccentric)
• Vacuum pump
• Micron gauge (recommended)
• Lineset bender kit (BendAid)
• Specialty torque wrench (or crows foot) for flare nuts

Measure everything multiple times before making any critical cuts or holes. The included cardboard template for mounting the inside unit was wrong, but luckily I caught the error.

It works exceptionally well and is very quiet, both inside and outside.

Benjamin Sahlstrom has some excellent installation videos:

https://www.youtube.com/@BenjaminSahlstrom/videos