I haven't seen any minisplits that need additional refrigerant, unless long linesets are needed... and then less than a pound is needed in most cases.
where to buy mini split, besides amazon&ebay
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Bluedog225
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Prefersdirt
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Bumping as I am wondering what people are still doing. That time of year. Need one for the exercise room.
Zwy
Emperor Of Solar
I have a 18K btu Senville Aura half installed in my kitchen. Waiting for weather to finally become nice to run lines outside and pour a cement pad for the base. This was a nice unit, it is quite large compared to the Senville Leto 9K btu I just finally finished running the lines on my truck camper. It had a nice template you can hang on the wall so you can move things around to line up with studs. Pioneer did not come with a template.
The Senville Aura 18K btu was purchased direct from Senville, it arrived in about 2 to 3 days.
I purchased a 12K btu Pioneer floor mount direct from Pioneer last year. It has been a pretty good unit but if outside temps are between 20°F and 30°F, it likes to defrost often. I contacted support, they gave me the link for the service manual and it is possible I have a temp sensor that is defective. I'll need to use a graphing ohmmeter this summer and check the sensors thru the entire temp range. Unit works fine below and above those temps. It is not an arctic pump model but I've ran it at 4°F and it worked fine.
Defrost on the Pioneer is not really timed. It will defrost after 2 hours of run time if the outside unit core temp is below 5°F if I recall correctly. There are 2 other scenarios for defrost, I'd have to look at the service manual again. Some of the cheaper units will defrost after a set time has elapsed whether defrost is needed or not. I don't recommend one of those units. If you can source a service manual before purchase and determine how/when the unit defrosts might make a difference on how satisfied you are with the unit come winter. The preferred defrost is based on a temp sensor and defrost only occurs when needed.
I'm impressed with the Senville Aura 18K btu. It came with Wi Fi built in (USB). The Pioneer I bought a universal Wi Fi module and control the unit mainly using the app on my phone. I can check ambient temp outside and inside the house on the app plus turn the mini split on/off from anywhere with cell phone data access.
At this point even though I have not finished the kitchen install, I'd recommend the Senville Aura over the Pioneer. The Pioneer wasn't the higher end model. My camper Senville is just a Leto and it will be used mainly for air conditioning. If you plan on using a mini split for heat, go to the higher end models.
Prefersdirt
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I am a licensed hvac tecth i can offer tech assistance if needed
Zwy
Emperor Of Solar
I am a HVAC tech. But you could still buy it and DIY, then hire someone to vacuum it down to hold the warranty. I finally finished the Senville 9K but install in the camper a few days ago. Works very well powered by the inverter.
Drive by the Boondocks on my way to Des Moines VA. It was sold a few years ago and there has been some updating there. Have you ever been to the World's Largest Truck Stop at Walcott along I80?
Prefersdirt
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I can't imagine a tech being happy to only do the vacuum when they can make much more money selling the equipment and then installing. Will definitely look at it though. I need 9k in the workout room. Goal is to also put a dual head unit in the kitchen / dining area. That will be later. Really wondering if better to just cut a "window" in the room to the outside and put a window unit in. I really want the heat pump option AND I absolutely HATE window AC noises.
Walcott is my refuel stop when going back and forth. I remember when the only thing at Walcott was the McDs and a now non-existent truck stop. Boy, do "I" feel old!
The heating cycle requires a massive amount of compressor superheat cycles compared to the cooling cycle due to the significant temp differences.
Not a lot of heat outside to move in.
42OhmsPA
What's in a title?
Precharged quick connect? I'd probably try to import a Deye or cave and buy an EG4.
Precharged compressor and vacuum down the lines? I'll more than likely go with another Pioneer high performance but I'm keeping an eye on Daikin and Senville.
What is recommended for below 0°F temps? I remember there was supposed to be some new models coming out now/soon that were made to work better in colder temps?
Oh, the inverter drive models all work well down to -15F, but not cheaply.
The compressor ramps up extra rpm, and takes a lot of energy to compress the additional heat needed at lower temps.
installed 3x Pioneer WYT last fall and have been using them exclusively for heating so far. These are rated to -13F operation, though they certainly work harder in the 20F. They are not the lowest cost, but qualified for the 30% federal tax credit, requiring SEER2>=16, EER2>=9, HSPF2>=9 =>HSPF>=9.5 for northern area. So far so good, though each has a 10w idle draw.
Air Source Heat Pumps Tax Credit
www.energystar.gov
acwholesalers is where I bought my Mitubishi setup from. Did the entire install with 4 heads and 1 ODU with branch box. Had a contractor install the extra R410. Good price, fast shipping. They even did it in 2 shipments. The later one was going to be delayed by a month, I asked to ship what they had in stock so I could get started.
ericfx1984
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Yep and most of them come pre-charged All you have to do is connect the lines add electricity and vacuum them down then release the refrigerant
As long as you do not exceed the included line length qty.
