NewGrower2011
Well-Known Member
Looking at my AC options.
I just picked up a Soleus LX-140 portable dual hose last night (rush purchase since they are discontinued @ nearing end of the season for stores carrying them).
The guy at the store mentioned it was a 100 day+ deal for them to arrive from overseas and that they were discontinued. So I rushed off to another of their locations that had a couple in stock and snagged one. It's sitting here in the box until I can decide.
I know that the portables have some leakage issue, but I'll be venting mine into the house so the odor & winter concerns don't necessarily apply. I would have liked to vent to the attic but I'm concerned with moisture/condensation... As well I know the portables aren't as efficient (lower SEER rating primarily?).
So, I've dropped arond $550 so far and I can afford more if needed, but I don't want to throw cash around stupidly. I found a mini-split from Soleus online for around $770 or so but I know I'll be incurring more costs such as Electrical run for a 220v circuit $$$.... The HVAC tech needed to install and charge the lines since I'm pretty certain I'll need at least 1 extra line set so you've got labor $$$, refrigerant $$$ and the extra line set $$$
http://www.minisplitshop.com/store/product.php?productid=235&cat=68&page=1
So what are my real options here folks? Shell out around $1500 most likely to get the mini-split going...
In my current situation I have a space with a dedicated 20a circuit to the room, but that was for my lighting and fans, misc... Being that the portable calls for 12.5a or so... I need a dedicated 15a most likely in addition.... So I've got a little electrical cost there to run a new circuit - which I would likely pay someone licensed to do (in case the house burns down you don't want them to invalidate your claim due to a DIY electrical run I assume). I think that's roughly $120-$160 for labor plus another $100 or so for the wire/breaker/outlet supplies.
And with requiring the HVAC tech there goes some of the 'stealth' of the install...
Those Excel Air are supposed to have the pre-charged "plug & play" lines but my God are they ever expensive.... For same SEER/BTU unit it seems like they are considerably more money. I'm assuming that's purely because of their plug & play feature - otherwise I'm assuming they're the same as any Ideal Air, LG, Mitsubishi, Soleus unit...
Also any reccomendations on online vendors for mini-splits? There's tons of 'em - any first hand experiences? Oh and my space isn't very big... 6x10 or so... And lighting is - for now - just 2 units of T5 lights... 8-buld Quantum BadBoys... 5a each @ 110v... So factor in air/water pumps and a 8" fan for the air scrubber...
I just picked up a Soleus LX-140 portable dual hose last night (rush purchase since they are discontinued @ nearing end of the season for stores carrying them).
The guy at the store mentioned it was a 100 day+ deal for them to arrive from overseas and that they were discontinued. So I rushed off to another of their locations that had a couple in stock and snagged one. It's sitting here in the box until I can decide.
I know that the portables have some leakage issue, but I'll be venting mine into the house so the odor & winter concerns don't necessarily apply. I would have liked to vent to the attic but I'm concerned with moisture/condensation... As well I know the portables aren't as efficient (lower SEER rating primarily?).
So, I've dropped arond $550 so far and I can afford more if needed, but I don't want to throw cash around stupidly. I found a mini-split from Soleus online for around $770 or so but I know I'll be incurring more costs such as Electrical run for a 220v circuit $$$.... The HVAC tech needed to install and charge the lines since I'm pretty certain I'll need at least 1 extra line set so you've got labor $$$, refrigerant $$$ and the extra line set $$$
http://www.minisplitshop.com/store/product.php?productid=235&cat=68&page=1
So what are my real options here folks? Shell out around $1500 most likely to get the mini-split going...
In my current situation I have a space with a dedicated 20a circuit to the room, but that was for my lighting and fans, misc... Being that the portable calls for 12.5a or so... I need a dedicated 15a most likely in addition.... So I've got a little electrical cost there to run a new circuit - which I would likely pay someone licensed to do (in case the house burns down you don't want them to invalidate your claim due to a DIY electrical run I assume). I think that's roughly $120-$160 for labor plus another $100 or so for the wire/breaker/outlet supplies.
And with requiring the HVAC tech there goes some of the 'stealth' of the install...
Those Excel Air are supposed to have the pre-charged "plug & play" lines but my God are they ever expensive.... For same SEER/BTU unit it seems like they are considerably more money. I'm assuming that's purely because of their plug & play feature - otherwise I'm assuming they're the same as any Ideal Air, LG, Mitsubishi, Soleus unit...
Also any reccomendations on online vendors for mini-splits? There's tons of 'em - any first hand experiences? Oh and my space isn't very big... 6x10 or so... And lighting is - for now - just 2 units of T5 lights... 8-buld Quantum BadBoys... 5a each @ 110v... So factor in air/water pumps and a 8" fan for the air scrubber...
