I installed my Pioneer also. I think I did a much better job than a professional would have, and I put it in a place that a professional probably would not want to work anyway (under a deck). I filled out the warranty form with the low side pressure measurement and sent it in.
What Mini-Split did you use, and Why?
- Thread starter Lt.Dan
- Start date
When this pioneer stopped working I decided to buy another from Parker Davis but when I seen the county tax additional charge that changed my mind, so I canceled the order. They later offered it with out that tax plus a discount. By then I had ordered 2 cooper&Hunter units from Amazon, they did not add this silly county tax. The local HVAC guy here sells Carriar. When I bought the last unit and called them to hook up the line set, they told me they only work and service on what they sell. He had real attitude with me so I can't call them back this time. I researched Carriar as well as many other usa name brands to find out they all sold there souls to china. Its a rackit to gaulge your pocket as deep as they can. I do beleve there are some good companies around but the good ones are extreamly bissy. The poeople who have found them are keeping them. This time I bought 2 for 1 price, I know they will fail some time after but if they last 5 years or so I will just go buy another and in the end not be spending any more than if I paid a tech to install it. I'm sure most HVAC companies would rather these mini splits did not exist so the more expensive low seer rated units were all there were to pick from. Check out these prices for these whole home systems, crazy coompared to a mini. I gess it's just the amercan way, american reputation additude selling chineae products. They get them cheaper put there american name on them, jack up the price then charge dubble to install. No need to agree with me, it's just the way I feel about it.
tomy2
escape artist
Actually, most hvac companys won't touch your online bought unit, and they are doing you a favor, saving you $200. an hour. Sure it takes a lot of research to learn the basic trade, and you might screw up the first time, I sure did. But I'm 74 now and just ordered a fourth unit. The critical part of the install is joining the linesets together and to the compressor. It has to be perfect or they will leak and cause a myriad of problems. Most youtube videos seem to gloss over this step, it's not simple, just takes good eyes, patience and some decent tools.
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LOL, I use to lone out some of my special tools to friends or even my brother, later to forget who it was and when I go back to ask it's likeOne way you know you in trouble is when the hvac guy is drooling over your test/install equipment
Second warning is when they call wanting to know if they can borrow some of your stuff on an install they are doing.....
"no, I don't know what your talking about" So now a days, I don't lone out tools to any one, stupidity on my part. Live and lern.
Lt.Dan
Solar Wizard
I have a very hard rule about loaning out tools. My friends can borrow anything of mine. But only once. Because if you borrow it once, chances are you will need it again in your life, and should buy your own.
I learned it about 13 years ago when i was a mechanic at Toyota. The master tech told me that. Works great for me.
My improved method is they can borrow stuff if they use it at my house. I don't let them take stuff home.
This one came about because of my son. I have enough problems keeping up with my tools with him using them AT my house. They will be MIA if he left with them.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2022
- Messages
- 20,056
All of my tools are available to friends and family.
But you also have to borrow the operator.
But you also have to borrow the operator.
Lt.Dan
Solar Wizard
And pay him accordingly ?
tomy2
escape artist
I have seen some amazing hvac tools on youtube, and looked up their amazing price too. If a tech has all those tools, $200./hr is understandable. But they should be able to get the job done fast and right , if they know how to use them.
Really testing out the heating capability of the Senville 24k Aura. Overnight it used an average of 2kw and outside low temp was 13 degrees but could not maintain heat set point of 60, about 5 degrees off. Still a win compared to electric baseboards that are still available for backup.
When ypu say, "could not maintain heat set point of 60", have you tried setting them a bit higher, say 65, to see if the actual room temp can stay at 60? With our mini-splits, we have to set the heating set point a few degrees higher than what we want the room temp to be, due in large part (I suspect) to the location of the mini-split temp sensors near the top of the indoor units. You'll use a bit more energy, of course, but I suspect those units would have no trouble heating a building with even moderate insulation to 60 degrees with an outdoor ambient temp of 13. They'll just require more energy to do it.
I did do a test and yes it will increase room temp with higher set point. We’re not at the cabin so keeping temps lower on purpose, just checking it remotely and adjusting with sensibo (at 5ft height ). I think it could maintain our normal winter setting when present of 68-69°
Overall very happy with it. This main floor which includes the loft and master bedroom and bath is about 1100 sqft. The lower level still needs a mini split which is about 900 sqft and currently heated only by electric baseboard. The main floor was my test before I put in a second on the lower level.
tomy2
escape artist
Lt. Dan, did you go with the Della? curious how it's doing on heat mode.
RCinFLA
Solar Wizard
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2020
- Messages
- 3,574
Temp regulation on HVAC is affected by airflow feedback to thermostat and amount of hysteresis range setup in thermostat. Thermostats should have a setup adjustment for hysteresis on setpoint. (the temp bracket of turn ON and turn OFF set points)
There is rarely a perfect situation for thermostat location. Tweaking the hysteresis setting can improve control for a given location. Wireless handheld thermostats that can be moved around will yield potluck for a given location of temp sensor until tweaked for given location.
Worst situation is output air of HVAC directly blowing on thermostat. Depends on air circulation around room and where the thermostat located relative to HVAC return and output air register location(s).
You also want to avoid direct air circulation feedback on HVAC unit. Mini-splits, window units, and portable units have poor spacing between outlet and return air resulting in some direct input to output air feedback, reducing unit efficiency. Placement of unit can make direct feedback circulation worse, like mounting a mini-split in the corner of room.
There is rarely a perfect situation for thermostat location. Tweaking the hysteresis setting can improve control for a given location. Wireless handheld thermostats that can be moved around will yield potluck for a given location of temp sensor until tweaked for given location.
Worst situation is output air of HVAC directly blowing on thermostat. Depends on air circulation around room and where the thermostat located relative to HVAC return and output air register location(s).
You also want to avoid direct air circulation feedback on HVAC unit. Mini-splits, window units, and portable units have poor spacing between outlet and return air resulting in some direct input to output air feedback, reducing unit efficiency. Placement of unit can make direct feedback circulation worse, like mounting a mini-split in the corner of room.
tomy2
escape artist
What are you using to make this graph? Is this running off batteries or grid?
Lt.Dan
Solar Wizard
I did go with the 12k Della unit. I haven't really turned on the heat, because of other heat creating items in the garage, like the SolArk, the Nat Gas Water Heater, etc. I did turn it on as just a test, and it does pump out some really good heat. The only reason I turned it off is because as soon as the garage opens to drive the Tesla out, all the heat is lost. It seems like it definitely takes more power to heat than it does to cool, but that could just be the environment and location.
All in all, I'm still pretty happy. I've had it up for a while now and I haven't even cleaned the filter. I should probably do that...
Running on grid, have wood stoves and fireplace if grid is down. All the data from openweathermap, sensibo, and emporia is ingested into Home Assistant. From there I use Grafana or basic home assistant dashboards.
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Gotshocked!
Solar Enthusiast
Anyone out there with Goodman mini split experience to share?
My house in NC had an old reliable Trane heat pump. I believe it was original to the house which was built in 81. A bit over a year before I sold the house, the heat pump got a leak somewhere and needed to be replaced. I researched everything I could and ended up buying a Goodman. I won't go into details, but my research led me to believe that Goodman makes better HVAC units than most other's and is much more reasonably priced. Got a 2.5 ton 14 seer heat pump installed for $4k. No issues for the time I owned it and it worked very well.
My house in NC had an old reliable Trane heat pump. I believe it was original to the house which was built in 81. A bit over a year before I sold the house, the heat pump got a leak somewhere and needed to be replaced. I researched everything I could and ended up buying a Goodman. I won't go into details, but my research led me to believe that Goodman makes better HVAC units than most other's and is much more reasonably priced. Got a 2.5 ton 14 seer heat pump installed for $4k. No issues for the time I owned it and it worked very well.
Goodman 12,000 BTU 18 SEER2 Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump Air Conditioner 550 sq. ft.
SolarScott
Solar Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2022
- Messages
- 475
My Goodman lasted 9 years and then compressor gave up the ghost....that led me to install two 24K EG4 direct from solar units....so far so good.
Im a goodman dealer, and am unaware of them making minisplits.
Daiken, the parent company of goodman make a fantastic robust line of minis...
Daiken, the parent company of goodman make a fantastic robust line of minis...
Gotshocked!
Solar Enthusiast
Your Goodman minisplit?
SolarScott
Solar Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2022
- Messages
- 475
Goodman heat pump.
Lt.Dan
Solar Wizard
Same thing, right?
Gotshocked!
Solar Enthusiast
Yes, the same thing in that they function the same way, but he's referring to a unit for the entire house like this, which is what I had.
hvacdirect.com
2.5 Ton 14.3 SEER2 Goodman Heat Pump Split System - Multi-Positional
The Goodman Heat Pump Split System - Multi-Positional is a heating and cooling system that can be installed in different ways. It works by using a heat pump to bring warm or cool air to your home. It's energy-efficient and has cool features like a durable cabinet and high-tech switches. With...
hvacdirect.com
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