ShakinJoe I'm sure you are in the business and know what you are doing but installing these is a no brainer for a DIYer. But installing 90 % vs. 100 % is where I am coming from let me explain. I plan on installing 90 % of the system. By that I mean I will install the inside unit and the outside unit. I will mount the vinyl chase that the lines/drain/wiring run through. I will run the 220 to the outside disconnect so what your industry calls a " rough install ". EComfort provided me the names/address/phone numbers for three local HVAC companies that are Mitsubishi certified installers. I will have one of them come out, do the final connect of the lines, inspect what I have done and then they can pull a vacumn and let the refrigerant flow. For a " pro " I doubt it's more than 2-3 hours total. If that costs me $500.00 no big deal as it's still $3,000.00 !!! less than the local guys quoted me and that was for Chinese crap. And by having a " pro " sign off on the warranty card I maintain the 5 year parts and 7 year compressor warranty.

I've been reading this thread with great interest due to an upcoming project. While not ideal by any stretch I think the self install or self rough install idea is hard to beat. I've read a ton on Fujitsi and Mits units and they both grade very well. What are the odds of a mechanical issue?

If there is an issue you can either pay for service, DIY or install a new unit. Considering how much you saved up front, a new unit might be technically a waster but you are still ahead $$ and get a newer/better unit IF it ever comes to that.

That's what I am thinking. Worst case I have no warranty and any issues in the future ( if any ) I just fund out of pocket due to cost savings upfront. Best case I get the factory warranty and am covered for 5/7 years. This isn't rocket science. :D

I thought I would post a follow up. I finished the " rough install " and then called in one of the pro's recommended by EComfort. They came out today and did the final pigtail electrical, hooked up the AC lines and pulled a vacumn. The installer said this was the best/lowest vacumn he's ever pulled so that was encouraging :D . We flipped on the electrical breaker and no sparks so that was good ! I grabbed the remote control and turned the unit on and set it for heat as it was chilly here in Georgia today. I looked at the installer and he looked at me and we both said " is it on " ? It is THAT quiet ! What a nice piece of equipment well worth the money at least on the first day. Only took a minute and a good stream of heat was coming out. Even though I have NO CEILING you could feel the heat every where in the garage within about 10-15 minutes. Went outside to the condensor and it is whisper quiet also. So the grand total for all the equipment, every piece of hardware for the install and then the pro to complete the install was $3197.58. When I think back to the local guys that gave me a price of $6500.00 and up for installed Chinese crap I just smile about my install. Now I'm going to register my warranty online so I maintain the 5 year parts and 7 year compressor warranty. I am having a beer for man cave victory ! :D

Well done! Have two beers!:D

Hey Paul how you doing ? If I was back in FL. this AC would probably already be running full blast !

Congrats!!!

I'm surprised at how few mini-splits I see in the US compared to the rest of the world.

Lot smaller house & electricity cost.

Just about the same for 2014, just could not find it in a jpeg; http://www.statista.com/statistics/263492/electricity-prices-in-selected-countries/

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1427496746.gif

Great news, thanks for the update. Which model did you end up with? My project is still on hold so I havent pulled the trigger yet. You experience is encouraging.

Some follow up. Since I had the heat pump installed I also had the roll up door replaced with a conventional panel door. Went with insulated with windows that 18 x 8 door is BIG ! But it immediately made a difference in the feel of the garage. Had a day recently where it was 80 out and I did not have the AC running. Went out to the hot garage which keep in mind my ceiling is still wide open with zero insulation. It was 76 degrees in the garage. I turned the AC on and set it for 66 degrees and the fan on high. Within 10-15 minutes the temp in the garage was down to about 70. Another 10 minutes and it was 68. These temps validated by a thermometer at the opposite end of the garage. I am really impressed with the performance of this unit. I can only imagine how well it will work once my ceiling is enclosed and insulated well.

Another update for those interested in going down the same road. I recently completed stapling 4 ' wide reflective foil to the bottom of the rafters up where they meet to roof deck. This creates a air space of 3 1/2 " because my rafters are 2 x 4 's . Then I stapled 3 1/2 " kraft faced fiberglass insulation to the bottom of the rafters where the ceiling will eventually be installed. For the past 2 week + it has been 90 - 96 in Georgia and quite humid. I have had the AC set on 78 degrees and it keeps the garage cool and dry. I am very happy with the results. Once I get a ceiling installed I will add more ceiling insulation by blowing in fiberglass. Will end up with about R40. I have not had a full month of running yet so I don't know what the affect on the electric bill will be but the comfort will be worth whatever it is.

Thanks for the update. I've been wondering how you've been doing.

I just had a 24K Daikin installed in a finished 840 sf garage; 12'ceiling in one 30' long bay and 8' ceiling in the remainder, 2 garage doors non-insulated, no windows, front and both side walls block construction, the attic has r-13 batts with 6" of blown in f/g on top. Garage doors face north. I crank it up, give it 15 mins and I can work in there comfortably. And I live in FL. It's been in the 90's here, down to 75 at night. I plan to only use it when I want to putz in the garage. Loving it so far. It's perfect for what I need. And it's very very quiet. Installed $2800

Yep, they work great, run quiet, at very low cost but are like finding a unicorn in the US. I think the HVAC industry is fully committed to ducted systems here and would rather sell us a $10k system run through the attic than a pair of dual mini-splits for $5k.

Lots of barriers to entry but the door is beginning to open and mini-split specialist installers are figuring out how to make a good living outside of the standard HVAC business model. If I wanted to start a business I would look hard at this. It is a very competitive product that is far more energy efficient than most ducted HVAC systems.

I've been struggling with what am I going to do for a finished ceiling ? I just didn't want sheetrock and was leaning towards tongue and groove pine. But I was searching CL the other day and found a guy selling painted metal roof/wall panels that were scratch and dent. He buys them from the local shops that put up metal buildings and carports. He had a full spread of colors and lengths. I ended up buying 13 ' white panels which will give me about a 1 foot overlap at the center seam. I also ended up buying some dark brown 21 ' panels to close up my carport to make it more like a building. Best part they were only 1.25 l.f. so didn't break the bank !

Another update: I have the first electric bill in hand that has a full month of AC running. It has been 95-100 almost every day for the past month with fairly high humidity. I have kept the hand held remote set to 79 degrees which by independant thermometer keeps the garage at about 75-76 degrees. The electric bill went up $23.00 which I am sure about 50 % of that is the home AC. I am super impressed with the Mitsu . The garage feels very dry due to humidity removal and I still don't have a finished ceiling. And I have a mini loft that has no door to close it off so it's open to the garage. I'm sure once I install the finished ceiling, add more blown in insulation and close off the opening to the loft I will be able to cut the running cost by 10-20 % .

Wow, that's pretty amazing. Looks like I am getting a similar Fujitsu, I can only hope for similar results.

Hey guys I've been up and running now for about 8 months and still could not be happier. The Mitsu is running great. Now being into fall I have switched over to heat mode. I'm leaving the remote set at 61 degrees which is the lowest setting this unit can be set to . We have had a few mornings in the high 30's and I walk out to the garage and she's nice and warm. Over the Christmas holiday I will have two weeks off. I plan on renting some scaffolding and will install the metal panels as my ceiling. At that time I will also rent a insulation blower and install another 12 - 16 inches of fiberglass insulation on top of the 3.5 fiberglass I have now. I have no doubt I will easily see another 10 % + savings in the electric bill. This has been one of the best appliances I have ever purchased it makes the garage so much more versatile ! That and the insulated garage doors.......HUGE difference.

Nice.
They are pretty reliable units and I am sure that it will give you years of good service.

Careful blowing fiberglass. Make sure you are wearing a good quality respirator rated for fiber.

Thought I would post another update. The unit has been running perfect and it has been hot and humid in Georgia. The past 5 weeks or so 96 - 97 every day with high humidity. The man cave is cool and dry ! :D And at the moment I only have 3.5 " insulation stapled to the rafters and the metal roofing as my ceiling. I procrastinated on the blown in insulation but will add some in the fall . It is very rewarding to walk out in sweltering heat/humidity to a cool man cave .