OT: Looking for HAVC Expert - Help!

[oscar.millan]

I'm looking at installing a ductless A/C in my home, I'm wondering if there are any local HAVC experts in the area that would be willing to help me with the selection and installation of a unit. I'm located by the 605 and 5 fwys, zip code 90660.

I've narrowed it down to 3 brands:

1. Mitsubishi
2. Fujitsu
3. LG

The unit will supplement my Central Air, it will be 24,000 or 30,000 BTU unit for my living room and kitchen.

Any feedback is very much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[SanClementeEric]

Pay a pro. It'll be less hassle and happier for all concerned in the long run.

 

[oscar.millan]

That's the plan, but hopefully a pro from here. I know with ductless the install is absolutely critical for both efficiency and proper functionality.

 

[Speaker73]

My family Hawaii have installed Mitsubishi ductless air conditioners and they work very well and reliable.

 

[oscar.millan]

My family Hawaii have installed Mitsubishi ductless air conditioners and they work very well and reliable.

That's exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for, thanks.

 

[oscar.millan]

I'm happy to pay an expert by the way, just looking for someone I can trust that's on the forum. If you know anyone, please let me know.

 

[oscar.millan]

Ductless systems are also called mini-split systems, just thought I'd clear that up.

 

[bvysochin]

Once you find someone, if you can pass on their info, that'd be great. I purchased the LG Art Cool system a few years back and have yet to install.. one of these days I'll get around to it. Good luck in your search.

 

[pciscott]

I have a 2400BTU LG unit in my Garage, we planned on it being a play room for the kids when they were younger and it comes in handy once in a while. I can say with all the fish tanks in the garage I do have a condensation problem when I ran it in the summer on days I worked on the tank. Not sure if the drain line plugged or it is just the moisture in the air. The LG unit is quiet and was not that hard to install. I bought the unit with pre charged lines and did it myself. The one thing I do wish is that it was easy to hook a thermostat to, if it is I have not figured out? It has a remote control to turn on and like all remotes you can never find when you need it. Especially in my messy garage!

I did add a second window type AC in my fish room as it tended to get to hot and my chillers would run. The little 5200 BTU unit I bought is internet ready so if my fish tanks are running hot I can change the temp through a application.

When I built the house we put a 4 Ton AC downstairs and a 5 ton system upstairs and there are a couple local zones. With this said I wish I had gone with original plan to put a 3 ton unit upstairs and a mini split in the master bedroom. If I am paying for the AC I like my bedroom cool on hot summer nights and running the 5 ton makes the meter spin.

I one time had all three AC units on, the pool and all the waterfalls, the fish tanks along with most of the lights turned on and the DEA showed up thinking I was growing something other than coral. The last part is a joke unless you saw my bill, that is no joke.

Anyway I think the Mini Split systems are the way to go and think you will be very happy with them. All the brands you mention sound pretty good.

 

[oscar.millan]

Thanks for the reply Scott very informative. In my situation it will alleviate some of the load on my central air and provide additional cooling for my kitchen, dinning room, living room. With my recent tank upgrade, I expect more heat and moisture in this area and this mini split system should help out quite a bit. On really hot days, I'll turn on the central air as a backup.

I'm looking at a 30,000 BTU, LG has the highest SEER ratings and it's tempting to just call it a day based on energy savings alone. But the decision is a little more complicated than that.

A follow up question if I may, how long have you had the LG unit? And would you buy the same brand again?

Thanks again for your input, knowing that you bought LG gives me confidence, I know you research your purchases quite extensively.

 

[pciscott]

It was installed in 2006 when we built the house, it only gets turned on a few times a year though and it has never failed. The last few times I used I was working in garage on very humid day with all the tanks I used to have in garage and I was getting some condensation dripping off the cooling fans. I do not know if this was a humidity thing or plugged drain? I did turn it on at the SCMAS Christmas party and there was no condensation issue so I think that was a humidity issue.

I think the brand is good I see many LG units on Hotels in Mex and they mount the outside part on the wall outside the room in the hot sun. Mine is more protected on the side of my house.

Unit has very little noise and works great, the one I got is a heater as well.

 

[oscar.millan]

Thanks again Scott, great source of information. I'm getting heat pump unit as well, for a couple hundred bucks more I thought it was worth it.

I've seen the LG and Fujitsu units in hotels when I travel for business and I have a Mitsubishi model (Mr. Slim) at work for our data center that runs 24/7. The one at work has only been running for a year or so, but so far no problems and it's super quiet.