Mini Split VS Ducted Heat Pump

[SomeGuyFromOlympia]

What is the deal with the mini splits vs the conventional Heat pump?
Why are mini splits the new big thing? Why would I need that over a normal person ducted vent?
Splits look um.... trailer park to me
How does air circulation/filtering happen?
Splits look like the install is easier, is that the draw?
Why do new construction push the mini split?

I have only had conventional, and do not see why you would need anything different

Those with experience, what is your opinion?

 

[M92PV4U]

What is the deal with the mini splits vs the conventional Heat pump?
Why are mini splits the new big thing? Why would I need that over a normal person ducted vent?
Splits look um.... trailer park to me

I know, pretty cool right?

Why do new construction push the mini split?

Probably to save on energy costs, only cooling the rooms that you use. I know you can always close vents, but never turning the thing on is easier.

 

[TrikeKid]

The splits are nice for zone heating/cooling and yeah, way simpler install. My mom just had a mini split system put in this winter, one unit in the living room, one in a spare room/den and one in the main bedroom (2 bed 1 bath, small house) keeps the place cool just fine. They have basic dust screens in them like a window A/C.

 

[Jackie Treehorn]

1. They’re cheap and easy.
2. Some houses don’t have any ductwork.

 

[SomeGuyFromOlympia]

1. They’re cheap and easy.
2. Some houses don’t have any ductwork.

I am looking at it from new contraction viewpoint

 

[Projectjunkie]

Cheap, easy, diy, can be bitten off one piece at a time, but..... not all that great if a house needs central air


I'm gutting this house to the studs, and it will get a new central air heat pump to all the rooms. I'll also put a mini split on the master for redundancy, and for long stretches where I'm working long days, I'll keep the house at like 80 and can crank the master down when I get home.

I'm adding a studio apartment that will be on a mini split only


I can also get mini splits from a guy that brings them from Mexico, $600 and up.

That makes it viable versus the $1300 plus they seem to run in the states...

 

[Projectjunkie]

I am looking at it from new contraction viewpoint

They're retarded from new construction viewpoint. Unless it's a tiny home

 

[SomeGuyFromOlympia]

how long do the mini's last without maintenance?

I had a heat pump at the house, and that thing was treated like a red headed step child, including a tree falling in it. Other than a capacitor that sucker was still running 20 years later when I sold the place

 

[Projectjunkie]

how long do the mini's last without maintenance?

I had a heat pump at the house, and that thing was treated like a red headed step child, including a tree falling in it. Other than a capacitor that sucker was still running 20 years later when I sold the place

They won't last that long, 3 out of 4 on my last house were kicking ass after 2.5 years, 4th was cooling 2x the area and was dragging, I think it had a small leak. If the leak was my fault, can't blame the unit. I'd bought a 5th unit for a spare.

I guess these are all over Mexico lasting 5 plus years. They aren't a replacement for central air though.

Again, at 400-600 each I think really highly of them. At 1300 plus I'd be a lot more critical

 

[Kyle]

If you are doing a remodel as deep as you are, do central. Build corridors in the attic to keep the ducts in conditioned space. Put the HVAC unit in conditioned space too. And don’t undersize it. Also gas heat is way better.

 

[fordguy]

I have central at the house and a mini slit in the main bedroom. Personally, I love it. Much cheaper to run when you onpy need one room.

But I did live in a trailer so

 

[SomeGuyFromOlympia]

If you are doing a remodel as deep as you are, do central. Build corridors in the attic to keep the ducts in conditioned space. Put the HVAC unit in conditioned space too. And don’t undersize it. Also gas heat is way better.

it is a pretty deep remodel.
as in the trees are still standing where the construction is about to happen

I'm just trying to figure things out

 

[kf4zht]

The splits are nice for zone heating/cooling and yeah, way simpler install. My mom just had a mini split system put in this winter, one unit in the living room, one in a spare room/den and one in the main bedroom (2 bed 1 bath, small house) keeps the place cool just fine. They have basic dust screens in them like a window A/C.

I'm looking at them, house was added onto twice and while they ran more duct they ran zero extra returns. So its either run a bunch of ducting and cut holes, or add some mini splits.

And is it just me or does every central zone system look like someone's senior year electronics project?

Plus for me

• DIfferent cooling for different parts of the house - eg the office where I spend a lot of my day has 2 fish tanks, 3 reptile cages and a server. It gets hot. But the living room is under more tree cover, has few windows and brick exterior. But the hobby room is almost all windows with no trees. Different rooms get different temps.
• Redundancy - one unit can fail and with some fans the others take its place
• Turning off rooms - eg when my kid isn't here, close the door and don't cool that room
• Ability to shut doors at night and still get cooling/airflow

 

[grumpy356]

Mini-split heat pump…variable speed, inverter, & magic… great.

Conventional hvac. Fuck a heat pump. Gas is 1st choice, electric, 2nd choice, but I’m never putting in a heat pump.


Some people love them , but I’m not a fan.

 

[kf4zht]

Mini-split heat pump…variable speed, inverter, & magic… great.

Conventional hvac. Fuck a heat pump. Gas is 1st choice, electric, 2nd choice, but I’m never putting in a heat pump.


Some people love them , but I’m not a fan.

My plan is to leave the existing system in place. Its old school heater with just a bunch of burners under the unit, stupid simple. Heat pump in the minis for normal use, that with NG for when it gets cold or the power goes out and I need to run on genny

 

[Lowrollin70gmc]

I put in a ducted cold weather heat pump with propane furnace backup last year. Went from baseboard heat supplied by a fuel oil boiler to a full ducted system. A ton of work to put in, but I wanted central air. If it also keeps me off propane except for the coldest months so I'll still save a bunch.

The outdoor unit looks like a giant minisplit condensor. Tall and thin.

So far, happy with it. I did have to chase a leak but it was a tiny one at a flared fitting (not my beautiful brazing job).

Will likely do a mini split in the new garage at some point when my cash reserves recover.

With the federal tax credits, even putting in a heat pump and never using it to heat would be cheaper than a traditional AC system.

 

[Santa]

New build? VRV/VRF for efficiency. Mini splits for redundancy and convenience, but can be eyesores. Central for good filtered air, ability to add humidifier/dehumidifier if needed in your climate and simplicity.

They all have their pluses and minuses.

Budget?

 

[Java230]

I have a diy mini split in the garage and replaced my conevtioned furnace with a heat pump.

For the house being retrofit was just way simpler as the ducts were there.

I'll be adding mini splits to the upper floor at some Point as it was an addition and has no ductwork.

Pros and cons to both.

Did another diy system in my office (landlord is too cheap to do it). Works good and cheap ish. 2 heads keep it nice.

 

[Romogo]

I've seen now that some are making a mini-split that feed a standard air handler. I think the condenser units on the mini-splits are more efficient than the conventional units, but not positive. Only recently started looking at them as I am going to have to replace my unit within the next 5 years. Would maybe need a 20ft line kit for it to replace my existing unit, and a 25 foot line for the upstairs unit. I would like to add a mini-split for the large upstairs room anyways, so if I could accomplish both for a fraction of the cost of a new central unit plus a mini-split, sounds like win win to me.

Something like this:

Blueridge BMAH3618 36,000 BTU 18 SEER Ultra Efficient Ducted Heat Pump/Air Handler System

www.alpinehomeair.com

 

[Java230]

I've seen now that some are making a mini-split that feed a standard air handler. I think the condenser units on the mini-splits are more efficient than the conventional units, but not positive. Only recently started looking at them as I am going to have to replace my unit within the next 5 years. Would maybe need a 20ft line kit for it to replace my existing unit, and a 25 foot line for the upstairs unit. I would like to add a mini-split for the large upstairs room anyways, so if I could accomplish both for a fraction of the cost of a new central unit plus a mini-split, sounds like win win to me.

Something like this:

Blueridge BMAH3618 36,000 BTU 18 SEER Ultra Efficient Ducted Heat Pump/Air Handler System

www.alpinehomeair.com

Yes they make traditional furnace replacement units that are a inverter type heat pump

 

[Bent70]

I've seen now that some are making a mini-split that feed a standard air handler. I think the condenser units on the mini-splits are more efficient than the conventional units, but not positive. Only recently started looking at them as I am going to have to replace my unit within the next 5 years. Would maybe need a 20ft line kit for it to replace my existing unit, and a 25 foot line for the upstairs unit. I would like to add a mini-split for the large upstairs room anyways, so if I could accomplish both for a fraction of the cost of a new central unit plus a mini-split, sounds like win win to me.

Something like this:

Blueridge BMAH3618 36,000 BTU 18 SEER Ultra Efficient Ducted Heat Pump/Air Handler System

www.alpinehomeair.com

If you have solar thats the way to go. Im happy with mine after a hiccup with a bad fan. I have a gree flex air handler system i swapped from a 90% gas furnace/coil.