ductless mini split air conditioning

[Kansas. 1911.]

This is absolutely fascinating. I liked the whole web page with photos and explanation. Thanks. It's that time--to think about turning off the heat and turning on the air. Of course, in Kansas, that could happen within one day. Ha.

[rodpaine]

A follow-up...
The Mitsubishi 21 SEER systems are in and what a wonderful difference. Not hot enough to really give them a work out, yet, but they are extremely quiet, both the inside and outside units. A bit of a wrinkle, though. The dealer has quoted me a ridiculous cost for the two piece plastic raceway (the top snaps on the bottom) for covering the ugly black foam insulated plumbing, as shown below.

Any body have a source for this type of cover and associated couplings, like mild radius elbow, terminating caps, etc? It looks like a typical aluminum down spout, but made out of plastic that is split and comes apart in two halfs. I've Googled, but all are too small, not the 3-inch diameter I need.
-Rod

[DB]

Rod,

I used aluminum downspouts/elbows for my application. I did the job the hard way by sliding everything through the gutter and then hanging it. Someone later told me that they usually install the gutter last by making a cut along the length of the dowspout on the back side.

It sounds like this would be the least expensive option anyway. Or you could be like my neighbor and just leave the conduit uncovered

[Daniel Meyer]

You can also split 4" PVC pipe on a table saw and use it to cover stuff like that. I've done that, and just used a miter to make joints. Paint and it looks pretty good.

Cheap.

[rodpaine]

Anybody know the name of the product I am talking about? Haven't been able to find anything via Google, Bing, etc., searches.

UPDATE - The product made by Mitsubishi is called "Line-Hide". This web page shows the typical parts cost. I'll be using 3-inch vinyl gutter material to assemble what I need. I'll document my work on my web page when I get started.
FWIW,
-Rod

[rodpaine]

Mitsubishi Performance Update -
June 28, 2010. Well, with lots of heat this June here in northern Virginia (50 miles northwest of D.C.), the new ductless systems have been performing very well, keeping everything at 72-74F with 48% humidity, while outside temps on many days were at 95F or above with high humidity and clear sunny days. Several times I've set them at 65F and they've pulled the environment down to that in about 45 minutes. I was surprised since the two units (12k and 15k btu) are much smaller capacity then the old 18.7k and 14k btu window units they replaced. The ductless units are certainly much more efficient... and certainly significantly quieter, while the old window units had gone in the opposite direction, during the past 5-6 years of their 26 year performance history.

I am still playing with the many settings combinations the Mitsubishi units have, to arrive at the best combination given our environment. And, we'll see what the KW/h consumption has been, compared to previous year levels during hot weather. My wife has this all plugged into an Excel spreadsheet, for the past 27 years, so that we can see what our energy reduction efforts are actually resulting in. Otherwise, I am very pleased with the Mitsubishi units performance the past month, with our unseasonable run of hot weather. I hope they continue to perform at this level, for some years to come.
FWIW,
-Rod
Mitsubishi Installation

[Barbara001]

I was happy to see this post since I will be considering a ductless mini split when I move in my 1800's rowhouse in August. They are quite common in Canada for older homes and most of our local HVAC guys carry them, mostly Mitsubishi. I have three floors and am hoping I don't have to install 3 units, since they are quite pricey. One hiccup I have to investigate is that the rowhouse is Heritage Desingnated, so I may have a problem with the units exposed on the exterior (I am an end unit).

[rodpaine]

Report updated September 29, 2010
I have completed a revised short report in .pdf format showing the operating costs of our two Mitsubishi Mr. Slim systems versus our old window air conditioners and their associated energy costs, during the months of July, August and September 2008, 2009 and 2010. Excellent improvement in energy efficiency and comfort levels, with the systems keeping the house at 72F versus 78F and doing so in hotter summer temps at 20% less cost. A real win-win installation, IMHO.
FWIW,
-Rod

[Daniel Meyer]

Thanks for the update. I've got one of these I'm about to install...and that puts us down the path of doing the entire house that way so it's good to see my impressions validated.

[rodpaine]

Daniel,
You're welcome, I'll post an update reflecting August costs, compared to 2008/2009 for forum visitors info. So far with this very hot summer, the Mitsubishis have been on nearly 24 hours everyday.

What a great house you have and I can relate to all the electrical you've done. Reminds me of our 1840's schoolhouse in Millwood, VA, that I rewired. Like yours, given the many crazy ways people wired stuff it's amazing the place didn't burn down years ago. Let me know how your ductless system install goes and your opinion of its performance.
-Rod