With the changes over the years on freon for air conditioners and the required upgrade to new systems, and now the supply chain shortages for parts and for new ac systems altogether, has anyone started using mini split systems? I believe the info I gathered a couple of years ago showed the mini-splits are a lot less expensive. What are your pros and cons (if you have switched to mini-splits)? Any other ideas or new technologies around the corner?

What about noise outside for neighbors??

Are there any restrictions, laws that govern how much noise can be made on the noisy portion on side of wall next to other apartment building??

I would really hate to install and find out I am in violation of some noise ordinance and have to remove them or get sued.

I got a quote for 4 Mitsubishi 16 SEER 9k Btu Wall Mount Mini Splits for a 600 sf duplex (long, skinny units). 2 per side, heating + cooling. (1 br, 1 lr, x 2.) The price came back as $11,100 installed. ($2775 ea) At that price--- no thank you.

Robert J, where do you buy 12,000 btu window unit for $339?

For our own home on Cape Cod we had installed solar panels. We added a mini-split for the large converted/insulated porch. We loved it.

We sold the home and the new owners put in many more mini-splits, as they essentially run for free.

We just bought an Amana Through-Window Heat Pump/AC unit (which we install through-wall instead and frame it out nicely. They come in a chassis so you can slide the unit out separately for repair/replacement.) Not a PTAC - this is a window-unit size.

$869.00 today for an 11k unit from AJ Madison online. We first bought this same unit back in 2015 - it was $615 back then (I just looked.) This will be our 20th unit in which we have installed these since.

They last as long as 10 years, but at least 6 or so.

Repair is usually not worth it. Hard to find someone.

I got one for my home. Lasted ten years. Got a Misubishi 18000 and it cost me 6 K from the high priced hvac in Princeton. Since there is a plug for a 220 window unit I have a spare. I used the window unit last year and this year and the minisplit is sitting. It makes mold grow on my antique furniture. The instructions say to only run it for four hours at a time. Well, the window unit has been running for a couple days with no down time. I have a mini at one of the rentals where the upstairs needs an AC boost to the central air unit in the basement. That works very well also.

I read my Costco flyer every 2 weeks or so. They had a sale plus a $60 manufactures rebate, per unit.

A Midea 12,000 BTU Cooling Inverter Window Air Conditioner

Item #1575342. Marked down from around $399 to $339, then a $60 manufactures bonus discount with a limit of 2. So it came to $279.99 plus tax, free shipping.

With California taxes, each unit came to $306.59.

Robert,

Is the 12,000 BTU inverter you got at Costco quiet enough so that an apartment building next door to that wall it is installed on will not cause complaints from neighbors??

Also does it require 220V and if so what can you advise about what I would need to do to add a 220V line to the units in that building?? I have never needed to have an electrician do that before.

This 12,000 BTU a/c-Heater is quiet using the standard 120 volts. It is NOT silent though. Around 1/2 the noise of any older 12,000 BTU unit. That sale is over and Costco promotes another unit that is only cooling. But you may be able to special order one. Buy one and test it.

Robert,

What is your view on installing window unit in wall instead?? I would need to create through-the-wall installation from beginning as there has never been any wall opening before.

I know it is more work but then I would not be creating obstacle to using window as normal in the bedroom and it is only window in bedroom so I would want to be sure that it would not violate any requirements regarding egress by placing a window AC in the bedroom.

I do this two ways. Under the window where there is already a header to support the load over the window.

Way two, remove the window and install a shorter window and then the a/c unit below. So if you had a 36" wide x 48" high window, I' remove the window and replace it with a 36" W x 28"-30" window installing the air below it.

Thanks Robert for good info.

The bedroom has horizontal sliding windows which are approx 48" x 48". Since it is horizontal slider, only half of width is actually available as the space to fit window AC.

Glad I asked since I just assumed I would create a new opening to the side of the window near the electrical outlet but under sounds good assuming there is room. I will check it out.

On the issue of the electrical outlet, I know you mentioned above that you can get these units in 120V. Is that unusual or will there be a good selection that use 120V.

Lastly, can any window AC be modified to fit in wall install or will it require specific model designed for wall install??

Trouble with UNDER a window is furniture placement and efficiency. COOL air drops...We HAVE them under windows where there is nowhere else, but our preferred place is in-wall.

I recently installed a Mr Cool mini split DIY 12K BTU on the 1st floor of one of my rental townhouses. Only required a 110 outside electric line, which my electrician completed for a few hundred dollars. Freon is already loaded into the Mr Cool compressor unit when it is purchased so it is truly a DIY install. For $1600, there is one interior register and it cools 500 sq foot area. (Mr Cool does sell larger capacity units and with addl interior registers). It is whisper quiet, inside and out. Took about a day to install. I am over the moon happy with this purchase. I'll install the same unit in the other three townhouses once the existing tenants leave.

I chose the Mr Cool option when a trusted HVAC guy quoted me $35,000 - 40,000 to run 4 Mitsubishi mini split units into my 4 townhouse units (side by side) with 2 interior registers per unit - one on the 1st floor and one in master bedroom. Just could not justify the price.