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Question on Mr. Slim Split-Ductless Heat Pump
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Posted by brenda_md (My Page) on Thu, Oct 23, 08 at 11:00
| We are replacing our current patio and arbor with approximately a 375 sq. ft. four-season room. Originally, it was not our plan to bother with A/C as the room will have ample windows to open and ceiling fans (the room is on the North side of our house). However, we know it will be used a lot and there probably will be times when A/C would be appreciated on some of our hot, muggy mid-Maryland summer days.
Our current heat pump will not be large enough to tap into. The Mr. Slim heat pump was recommended as a cooling option for this room and it would also provide heating for cold days. Previously we were considering electric baseboard as the heat source. Regardless, our plan is to have a small gas fireplace for heat in the coldest months to take the chill off quickly and for ambiance. The Mr. Slim heat pump will be more reasonable for cost efficiency compared to electric baseboard heat as we will always want some low level residual heat in this room when not in use.
Since the Mr. Slim inside unit is recommended to be on the wall or ceiling, my question is how much warmth is radiated onto the flooring? Our flooring will be a cement slab with tile over top. I am sure the electric baseboard would have been great at radiating heat to the flooring in the cold months, but again, it would also be more expensive. By the way, with this room on the North side of our house, there will be no direct sunlight into the room in the winter months. For those of you with experience with the Mr. Slim heat pump, I would like to hear about your experiences. Thanks.
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Question on Mr. Slim Split-Ductless Heat Pump
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| Having had a Mit HP ductless in my vacation home, I have a few comments to share. The unit has its drawbacks such as air noise, certainly less than a thru the wall or window unit but more than a piped in diffuser from a central system. I found it to be a bit annoying but grew used to it. The other drawback was the constant air movement that some would perceive as a draft. With the air moving a properly sized unit should distribute the heat fairly well as the wall units discharge down and have an air sweep option. No doubt the elect baseboard will be the quietist more and comfortable for heating; however it comes at a cost (energy use over a HP) Another option if you are going to heat electrically is to consider electric radiant heat mats installed under the tile. This will keep the floors warm, at or below the cost of operating the baseboard but add 10X the comfort and would be supplemented with the fireplace. For AC you could still go with a ductless or quality through the wall unit. |
Here is a link that might be useful: one type of electric floor radiant
RE: Question on Mr. Slim Split-Ductless Heat Pump
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| Electric radiant heat was actually one of our first considerations, especially before we thought there was a need for A/C. In talking with our architect and contractor, it was not considered cost effective which is why we next looked at electric baseboard. Now with our desire to keep some minor heating in the room when not in use, we are concerned about the energy efficiency of either electric method. There is no doubt radiant would feel wonderful to walk on which is why we first thought about it. Regarding your mention of the air noise in your vacation home, do you think that was due to the size of the space you were heating with the Mit HP? Since the unit will only be heating one room for us, perhaps the air noise would be less than when the unit(s) are needed for a house? |
RE: Question on Mr. Slim Split-Ductless Heat Pump
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| I had a 18,000 BTU HP in a 450 sq ft florida room with lots of windows. It would be like running a common bath 120 cfm fan is the best way for me to compare to for noise level. |
RE: Question on Mr. Slim Split-Ductless Heat Pump
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| I live in Ohio and want to purchase a mini split to both heat and cool at 425 square foot apartment that is "L" shaped. I am wondering at what temperature I will need to use back-up electric baseboard heat. Some installers say 30 degrees and others much lower such as 10 degrees. Does anyone have any winter experience with mini splits in the midwest? |
RE: Question on Mr. Slim Split-Ductless Heat Pump
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| Our LG inverter mini split works fine down to 14 deg. Thats as cold as its gotten in the last 2 years in Houston. It is very quiet and the fan slows down to very low when the heat or ac is satisfied. Actually it ramps based on load to provide a more constant temp rather than turning off and on. We have been very pleased with it. It is moslty for AC for us but the HP function works very well. The discharge air temp in heat mode is quite warm, does not feel drafty at all. |
RE: Question on Mr. Slim Split-Ductless Heat Pump
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I purchased and installed a Mitsubishi Mr Slim ductless mini-split system Heat Pump one year ago. My home is a 680 sq foot condo in Boston ,MA. The condo has 3 small rooms with ample southern exposure. Additionally, I've retro fitted blown -in insulation to the walls and installed Marvin Tru-Channel storm windows ( as an alternative to replacement window sashes).
In the one full year of operation there have been no problems or mishaps.
Because of the heat efficiency of my unit and "solar gain" from the south side, my energy cost for the year was less than $400 to heat and air condition. Compare this to the average of $1100 just for winter oil bill, not to mention furnace upkeep and lugging a window unit for air conditioning each summer ( add energy cost for window a/c unit as well).
I heat my condo unit to my desired temperature at times that I so desire as opposed to the common oil/steam system for the rest of the building.
Last January & February were very cold with temps averaging 14 F and going to minus 0F a few nights. The heat pump worked pretty hard and made some unexpected vibrations throught the night but, it maintaned a decent comfort level without failure. In fact, there were many days in the fall and spring that the unit was not even turned on. If one left the unit on the Auto Mode without ever touching the controls I'm sure the energy bill would be somewhat higher. However, this is how I've managed it for one year. If your home and rooms are well insulated, this is an excellent solution. Otherwise, as is the sad case here in the Northeast, many homes are still using huge inefficient heating systems to heat uninsulated buildings...and paying a massive price.
The biggest drawback was the initial cost of my system 25,000 BTU w 2 indoor wall units 15k & 9K. The sysytem was purchased from the installer for a cost of $5400 and another $1200 to install the system. They did not include the coolant line "line hide" in the estimate which created a huge argument and ran another $450.
So, my advice is....get the system as cheap as possible. Find a good, reputable HVAC installer to quote a fair install price and make damn sure you get the plastic "Line Hide" Sheathing included in the price of the complete installation.
Most, if not all of the HVAC installers here in Eastern Mass are over priced, gouging contractors. I don't really understand why this system was so expensive but, I really like it and am happy I made this decision. BTW, Mitsubishi customer service is also less than to be desired, you'd get better customer service from India tech help than from this company.
The is a bit of a learning curve to understand the thermostat controls but, with a little common sense and a few calls to Tech Help one can have a really dependable, energy effiicient cooling and heating system. Let's hope this next coming year will be as problem free making it all worth the effort |
RE: Question on Mr. Slim Split-Ductless Heat Pump
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| Our four season room has been built and the Mr. Slim installed and operational. As it is fall and we have yet to experience use of the unit in the height of summer heat/humidity or low winter temperatures, we have been extremely pleased with its performance what little we have used it. It is quiet in the room and the heat pump, which is right under one of the windows, is extremely quiet. Actually, the unit is on a patio section that we will use for overflow seating and its noise level is completely unobtrusive when running. Kip, I believe we received a fair price from our HVAC person compared to your costs. He did up the size unit somewhat to factor in the room consists of all windows and will receive no warmth from the winter sun as it is on the North side of the house. I do not know how much it will be used on a regular basis this winter, but we will maintain the room temperature at a very low level when not in use. The major operating cost of this unit will come from heating, as we will open windows/doors up in the summer when we use it except for the most oppressive days. Even then, the unit will probably be very economical as we discovered it has a dehumidifying mode that does not require much use of the compressor. That mode along with the ceiling fan may take care of any cooling needs we may occasionally require in the summer. I know the proof will be in the pudding once we go through a winter heating season, but so far we are very glad we chose this system as opposed to other options. |
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