Replace mini split a/c or fix?

[recycled sixtie]

Our rented condo air conditioning mini split blows ambient air only and no cold air.
The unit is ten years old and will be assessed by a technician who can either fix it or replace the whole unit.

I need to know what you would do under these circumstances? Fix or replace? What is the likely cause of the problem?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers, Guy

[id10t]

If you lived in it, you would want it replaced simply because AC tech has gotten better, and seer-rating-per-dollar-spent has increased, which means better efficiency which means lower bills overall.

But unless you are paying the electric bill, there is no sense in spending a ton of extra money for no real immediate and long lasting benefit vs. spending less. So then you are down to the statistics game of "how likely is it something else will break on it in a year or two or three that would be covered under warranty on a new unit but I'll need to end up replacing it then...".

Actually knowing the real numbers of simple repair vs. rebuild and overhaul vs. outright replace is needed to really make the decision... If you can really trust your AC guy it makes it a lot easier too...

[BK911]

The newer mini splits are so complicated that you have to replace almost all the expensive internals to fix. Sometimes cheaper to just replace. Not sure about the older ones. Get a repair quote and a replace quote then decide.

[rfuerst911sc]

Guy what brand is it ? The better brands like Mitsubishi and Fujitsu have good reputation and might be worth fixing it just depends what is wrong with it . If it is a lesser brand might be cheaper to replace . Please post what is wrong with it once you know .

[Eric Coffey]

If it's in a locale with relatively high summer temps, and it's an older R-22 system, I'd lean towards fixing it (while you still can).
R410a is near worthless once ambient temps creep up into the triple (F) digits.

[bob deluke]

Have it fixed. It’s only 10 years old. Probably a fairly high s.e.e.r rating, around 12 is pretty good. Most decent condensing units like Carrier, Trane, Mitsubishi, will last 15-20 years if properly maintained. Old Carrier R-22 units with copper coils lasted 25 years. Inefficient as hell, but cooled like crazy. Mitsubishi, Panasonic make pretty good splits. If coils are in good shape, get it fixed. Most splits have flare fittings on the evap and condenser and have a tendency to leak. Have the tech check those out. 10 to 1 it’s a small leak at a fitting.

[look 171]

Depending on the BTU, a new 12000 btu units are about 800 bucks and labor is pretty cheap, under 800 or so dollars since everything is already there, line set, electrical. It will go another 10 year or more

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by look 171

Depending on the BTU, a new 12000 btu units are about 800 bucks and labor is pretty cheap, under 800 or so dollars since everything is already there, line set, electrical. It will go another 10 year or more

Are the cheaper mini-splits a good investment?

[look 171]

I wouldn't say its an investment but just a simple appliance. There are lots of cheaper units out there, but I always suggest Mitsubishi. Look at it this way, these things are used throughout Asia and Europe and most of them are Mitsubishi or Sanyo along with some cheaper ones. You can see them hanging off the wall of high rise residential buildings. Not sure what they use in Europe because I don't see too many of them just hanging up high. I like that, out of way, no eye sore. I personally think they are pretty much the same. Like any modern appliances, I give them 10 years. Ref., washer and dryer, and so on, 10 years ( I really think the mini splits last much longer then that)

[1990C4S]

Mitsubishi 12k $1,729

Panasonic $1,448

No name's ~$700.

https://www.amazon.com/PIONEER-Air-Conditioner-Minisplit-Heatpump/dp/B01DVW6G42/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3EE60W19XT93H&keywords=mini-split+air+conditioner&qid=1556815055&rnid=14554140011&s=home-garden&sprefix=MINI-SPL%2Cgarden%2C182&sr=1-3

For my rental house I think I will go with the $700 version rather than repair.

[nota]

may be a 10 dollar cap

does the outside unit have a red start/run test button ?
does the compressor run
if not it likely it is a bad capacitor
I have replaced two on my ac over the years
as with most stuff made in USA is better

[recycled sixtie]

From what I remember the a/c is Fujitsu. The technician came over yesterday and I had to have the outside unit(the coil) removed from the balcony before May 13th as they start to replace the balcony membranes then.

He came over and tested the coil. He said the freon level was low and air blown out was ambient temperature. Last year the inside unit had a bearing noise but not now because the temperature was only 15C or 59F. So replacing the outside unit only made no sense.

So we came to the conclusion that a new mini split (both units) would make sense.
I checked the company for appraisals and they were good. But yesterday's work just removing the outside unit was $425 cdn or about $300 US! I expressed that was a lot of money and asked him if they charge by the hour or by the job. He said they charged by the job. He was there only an hour!

Anyway I have asked him to send me two quotes for new a/c and he recommended a Japanese one and an American one. He liked the latter because it came with a three year warranty.

I asked him about the company he works for and he said they have 17 technicians and 3 secretaries. No wonder their rates are so high as they have high overhead.
The one man operations may be cheaper because you leave a message on the answering machine and they get back to you. I will get some more quotes from one or two more a/c outfits. I thank you all for your opinions and help.Will let you know what I come up with.
Cheers, Guy

[bob deluke]

That labor price isn’t unusual Guy. Around $90-120.00 per hour depending on where you live. They charge portal to portal, from the time they leave the shop till they arrive at your house. If it takes an hour to get there, you pay for the travel time. Remember, these techs are pretty highly trained and most areas require NATE certification. The company has trucks, support vehicles, maintenance, gas etc. Most techs are on call 24/7 and take the vehicles home. All a cost to the company. Techs work all year long in inclement weather. Ever been a commercial business’s roof in the middle of winter, sub zero weather trying to get an old rooftop unit to provide heat? Business owner up your ass every minute. Not an easy job, can be very dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Ask me how I know.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by bob deluke

That labor price isn’t unusual Guy. Around $90-120.00 per hour depending on where you live. They charge portal to portal, from the time they leave the shop till they arrive at your house. If it takes an hour to get there, you pay for the travel time. Remember, these techs are pretty highly trained and most areas require NATE certification. The company has trucks, support vehicles, maintenance, gas etc. Most techs are on call 24/7 and take the vehicles home. All a cost to the company. Techs work all year long in inclement weather. Ever been a commercial business’s roof in the middle of winter, sub zero weather trying to get an old rooftop unit to provide heat? Business owner up your ass every minute. Not an easy job, can be very dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Ask me how I know.

Thanks Bob for the interesting perspective.

[recycled sixtie]

I just got the quotes in for a mini split a/c. Both the 9000 and 12000 btu are Japanese made(don't have the name recalled) but apparently are a world leader in their field. Will likely go with the 12000 btu.

Surprisingly enough the 9000 btu is the same price of $3000 cdn(about $2400 us) as it was ten years ago. The 12000 btu is $3700 installed and includes taxes(about $3000 us). Now the balcony membrane is replaced and the railings are back up I will put the order in shortly.

Thanks very much for all your input.

[recycled sixtie]

Have any of you had any experience with the Daiken mini split air conditioning?
I am having a hard time finding reviews on it. It seems like the Fujitsu has issues. Have already had one of those and was not great. Any comments would be appreciated!

[billybek]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

Have any of you had any experience with the Daiken mini split air conditioning?
I am having a hard time finding reviews on it. It seems like the Fujitsu has issues. Have already had one of those and was not great. Any comments would be appreciated!

https://www.pickhvac.com/ductless/daikin-vs-fujitsu-vs-mitsubishi-vs-lg/

Have installed a couple of these many many years ago and cannot remember the manufacturer.

The link takes you to a review page featuring some of the heavy weights in the mini split industry.

I like the point made about how long you plan to keep the property..... If you are flipping it in 5 years or less, go cheap!

[Mark Henry]

I have a keeprite dual mini split heat pump, everytime it stops putting out heat or cold it's a $30 thermistor, a sensor that sits in front of the indoor coil. I have to replace it every 4-5 years, about a 2 minute job.

[billybek]

By the way, Daikin had purchased McQuay to get a bigger foothold on the North American market.
They are no lightweight in the air conditioning equipment manufacturing world.

[recycled sixtie]

Thanks to the above for suggestions. I have decided to go with the Daikin 12000 btu.
Cheers, Guy