Oddbean

So we are needing to replace our a/c system, and one of the options the guy is giving us is installing a mini split whole house system. I like the idea in our case because currently our ducts are under the house, and we've had issues with rodents chewing it. Not a good idea, especially in the country. We could go with metal ducting, but that would be very pricey. Anyone have actual experience with a whole house mini split system? We have that in our small bnb cabin, and once we found the right guy with experience, we are happy with it. #asknostr

We have 2 outdoor units running 6 indoor heads and it’s great. Highly recommend for multiple reasons: 1. Control each room independently 2. No ducting=no mold 3. More energy efficient 4. Condensate water can be redirected to a rain barrel or tank easier 5. They’re quiet We put in ceiling cassette units instead of wall mounts fwiw

Yea just get the wall mount ones then. It keeps up for us but we have 8’ ceilings. We usually keep it on “dry mode” in the summers so it takes all of the humidity out of the air and keeps it chilly

Is it a unit per room? If so, as long as you make sure they calculate well, I’d go slightly higher than theoretical requirements for a large room but mine works fine. It’s just our living room on really hot days could do with a little more juice!

Our mistake was simple. We didn’t realise the impact of late afternoon direct sunlight on the windows of the living room. Pretty dumb really but because of restrictions outside, the only fix is drapes and doesn’t really help. We’d have been fine if we simply upped the output of the Aircon. Theoretically there was already margin so I’d consider looking at things like that and asking him to just have a think in that. Do keep in mind, here in Costa Rica direct sun has a very rapid impact. It’s a little stronger than texas

Yes, I had a mini-split installed in a three bedroom condo I used to live in and it was a vast improvement over the electric baseboard heaters and window units we were using. 5 years, no problems. Last summer I installed a three zone Mr. Cool DIY system in a rental property. Definitely the way to go. The whole install only requires simple hand tools. The instructions were straight forward and easy to follow. I’m a little slow as far as speed of construction and I finished the project in about 16 hours of work. Contractor install would cost about $3000 in labor for my area. That puts my dollar per hour at $187.50 and I learned a LOT.

Not a whole house mini split but we have an old addition that goes 90 degrees from the main part of the house. The ductwork from that side doesn’t get to the addition at all. So we did a mini split on the addition and shut the air flow off to that side. It works but the mini split has its own little issues. I had a mouse crawl up the lines from outside and go into the mini split unit and chewed up the room temp sensor. So it wouldn’t heat proper. The screens on the unit get plugged fairly easy and need cleaned every 2 weeks or so. The guys that installed it also didn’t get the drain part pointed downhill enough and sometimes it’ll start dripping water out the unit and make a mess inside. I’ve got it fixed for the leaking but it should have been done right the first time. I don’t know your setup but unless it was a perfect fit for your situation, I would not do one for a whole house. Plus it’s kind of an eye sore, having a unit in every room. Just my opinion.

I don't have whole-house, just the one setup (in the main room--I'm in an open floor plan), and it is warm enough for that. These things are so crazy-easy and fast for the professionals to install, you won't believe it. I wouldn't see how anyone couldn't help you out.