As @Quattrohead implied, 10 tons is quite large for a single-family dwelling. Before choosing equipment, I'd encourage you to consider insulating the building envelope as much as is practical. Also, run the Manual J calculations to get an idea of heating and cooling loads for each floor or hire...
I made a similar decision last year. I started out leaning towards a string inverter given that I have no shading issues, but ultimately went for Enphase microinverters despite the higher initial cost. They simplify the installation (not relevant in your case), have a longer warranty (25 years...
As others have said, one inside unit paired to one outside unit has the potential for the highest efficiency; I say potential because SEER ratings vary considerably across models.
Despite the cost in efficiency, I went with a three-zone Mitsubishi because I didn't want condensers everywhere on...
I've read the warranty statements for a handful of major manufacturers and all of those require a licensed HVAC person to do the installation to qualify for a warranty.
With good equipment, my hope is the warranty isn't worth that much.
Agreed, in part because we're dealing with the legacy of residential structures that were not built to maximize energy efficiency. I imagine that if most members here were building new, they would reach net zero even on a small lot. Not so much for having a giant PV array but for appreciating...
Perhaps that's true for a contemporary amplifier that's class AB. Old-school class A is a room heater when it's on and is off when it's off. Lots of middle ground, I suspect.
I went with Mitsubishi equipment. They and a few other brands make ducted air handlers for situations like yours; I think theirs maxes out at 3 tons. I actually bought one but switched to ductless once I saw that my existing ducts were rusted through! ?
Just this week, I installed a Mitsubishi 9k (MUZ-FS09NA outside unit, not a MUZ-FS09NAH -- the H indicates Hyper Heat) but had a pro connect and vacuum the lines and release the refrigerant. That means I had everything ready to go, so he was here for less than an hour.
For me, there were...
Reading along had me think of the Rheem Marathon water heater. It's basically a conventional unit built like a thermos bottle. It's expensive, but also has a lifetime warranty.
I agree, the better Class D amps on the market are now really good. I use a Hypex NCore in my main rig.
For a vehicle, I'd lean Class D for sure. Something like 90% efficient, so small footprint and lots of clean, cheap power.
For home, even though I use Class D, I too have a few Class A...
Sizing and efficiency are two different things. As @Partimewages suggested, you should do a load calculation (Manual J) to determine the size of the unit required to meet the design conditions for your space. Once you have that value you can choose whichever model you want so long as it's the...
I gave up trying to find the formal EPA rule, but I think the ban on using R410A in new equipment starts in 2025. So the phase-out has started but the ban isn't implement until 2025 given push-back from the HVAC industry.
@Lt.Dan I'd be surprised if an attached garage didn't have at least some insulation... but I guess it's possible. MIght depend on what code was at the time it was built.
I've been using CoolCalc to run the Manual J load calculations to size mini-splits. It's free. You only pay (something like...
When units are oversized, the primary risk is short cycling; the consequences depend on local conditions. In humid environments, for example, not enough humidity will be removed because the unit won't run long enough. Modest short cycling can be slightly less of a concern with mini-splits...
@watchdoc, even at 10 SEER, it would take a very long time to return your investment on a new mini-split. So, from the financial side, it doesn't make sense to replace the existing unit.
But I'll assume it's not all about money. You're renovating, so if the thought of having to swap units a...
You're welcome. Scratchy volume and tone controls are typically an easy fix -- pull the knob, spray some compressed air or contact cleaner, spin back and forth. I bet there are a pile of YT videos with illustrations.
A full restoration would be a labor of love. At 44 years, I would expect...
I agree that without a remote temperature sensor then it's just a remote.
The options I know best are for Mitsubishi units, which, according to reviews, work as expected. I have one but have not yet installed it, so we'll see. The down side of the Mitsubishi stuff is the price, so I have been...
Sorry slow to reply, was working long days on the house in advance of roofers showing up yesterday. Made it, if barely.
To your question, I don't know the answer, but the utility distinguishes self-installers from those with a contractor's license. I imagine the app could be set to work...
As you mentioned, some mini-split heads come with a pump, some don't. Typically, those intended to be mounted high on a wall don't come with one because gravity is usually sufficient. In contrast, those intended to be mounted on the floor (e.g., air handler) or mounted in the ceiling (e.g...
To be clear, the remotes work okay, so I use them for two zones, a bedroom and a garage. There's no real need for wired remotes, but they do a better job at gauging temperature. I bought one only because I wanted a wall control for the main living space.
There are several components available to integrate air-source heat pumps (mini-splits) with ducted systems. I used two different types, one is an air handler that replaced a conventional blower. Multiple brands make them; I happened to install this one.
Okay. They mean the outside unit comes loaded with refrigerant, not the line set. In fact, most mini-splits don't come with a line set; we buy the copper lines, a 14/4 cable that connects the inside and outside units, as well as a few other odds and ends separately.
Units labelled as DIY...
Mostly Makita; a few batteries still work okay after many years of occasional use, like @SparkyJJO.
Of course, I wanted to stick with the same brand for convenience, but couldn't pass up silly deals on a few Bosch 18-volt tools that offered a charger and batteries for almost nothing. Also a...