Modern Panasonic ACs are capable of tackling this problem, thanks to its stabilizer-free operation. Seek mini-split experience: Seek some confirmation—photos of previous jobs, customer testimonials, Yelp reviews—that this crew has done a few mini-split installations before and their work has satisfied others. We found the overall design unappealing, the app was difficult to use, and the controllers were difficult to connect to our AC units. Our latest product catalogues are available for download. The Sensibo Sky was our least favorite of the three. Mitsubishi Electric’s Smith explained that within the housing of the window AC are the same two components of a mini-split—the evaporator and a condenser. The exact mini-split equipment you need depends on your home’s unique heating and cooling requirements, and your options are limited to the qualified installers in your area—but we’ve researched this topic enough to be able to tell you about the scenarios when mini-split systems make sense and how to decide among the brands available. Make plans for maintenance: Mini-split maintenance is usually minimal but is also best done by an HVAC technician, at least until you watch them enough times to know the ins and outs yourself. If you want to cool or heat specific rooms with better efficiency, more power, and less clutter than window ACs and space heaters—and less complexity than central HVAC—consider a mini-split system. Still, it’s something to consider when setting up a system for your home. Ambi does integrate with Siri shortcuts and has a 3rd party work-around for HomeKit, but it needs to be running 24/7 on your home computer in order for it to work. Your typical homeowner does not have the tools to do it or the instrumentation to take the measurements to know that it’s been done right.” Getting the right size unit is not as simple as calculating the area of a room, for example. These connect by a refrigerant line and a drain line. Ideally, the pipes go through the wall directly behind the unit, where they’re hidden. According to Mitsubishi Electric, their best systems can operate at 100 percent capacity all the way down to about 23 degrees and will even operate at 75 percent at negative 13 degrees. De Stasio mentioned sunrooms, which are “pretty much glass ovens” that heat up and cool down much faster than the rest of the house. The total cost came in just under $17,000. Panasonic 1.5 ton 5 star (CS/CU-XU18WKY) inverter split AC comes with twin cool inverter technology, 100% copper tubing, Blue Fin condenser, ECOTOUGH casing, etc. Central HVAC usually forces air through several rooms—or the entire house—often heating or cooling rooms that aren’t even being used. Wirecutter is reader-supported. Which one requires more energy? We tested three smart thermostat devices: the Ambi Climate 2, the Flair Puck, and the Sensibo Sky, and have added our thoughts to a new section, What about smart controllers? Our experience with customer support was good but not great. Mini-splits are popular as retrofits into existing construction, for a reason that also happens to be another big source of their efficiency: They don’t require costly duct work. The Ambi Climate 2 is the most in-depth of the three. It’s also compatible with Ecobee sensors, Alexa, and Google Assistant. Another downside is that Flair and Ambi are not directly compatible with Apple’s HomeKit. Find the dealer store closest to you. Panasonic’s catalog (PDF) covers the basics, and it places less emphasis on smart capability than the competitors, referring to “internet control” of its devices. They’re easier to install than a full ducted system, more efficient than window units or central HVAC, and they often make sense as a supplement to your existing heating and cooling equipment. Mini-splits offer a lot of control, too, beyond their ability to be programmed like a regular thermostat. In Mitsubishi Electric’s brochure (PDF), you’ll find fairly limited aesthetic options for wall units, although matte silver and black wall unit finishes are available, and you can also consider ceiling mounts, floor mounts, or other special configurations. The way a mini-split disperses air is better than a window unit or a portable AC. That’s what central systems do,” says Mike Smith, senior marketing manager of Mitsubishi Electric, one of the prominent mini-split brands sold in North America. The 5-zone unit our Hawaii friend installed required a dedicated 40 A breaker for its 230-volt service, and his installation crew used a licensed electrical sub-contractor for the work, adding cost. Equipment manufacturers can give you a bit of a head start: You can search for a qualified contractor in your area at the sites of Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu, Panasonic, LG, and other makers. He lives in a very demanding 250-year-old farmhouse and spent four years gutting and rebuilding his previous home. It is technically possible to install a mini-split yourself—how-to videos on This Old House look straightforward enough, and there’s a forum full of Reddit homeowners who say they’ve done it—but self-installation is probably not worth the risk. The controller units are not wall mounted but unobtrusive within most modern decor systems to tell what... Wherever mentioned is inclusive of all taxes and much more straightforward, but tougher larger... 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