Anyone have a mini split A/C ?

[Too Many Projects]

I just ordered an 18,000 btu Pioneer unit. I built my previous shop into a hillside. Sidewalls started at 4 ft and stepped up to 10 as well as the back wall at 10' below grade. Even in 90 degree heat, it stayed a constant 72 degrees, as long as I kept the doors shut.
My new place is fully exposed to the sun all day and has a dark green roof. The past few days of upper 80's and low 90's has had the interior temp climb to 82-3 degrees. I had this issue most of last summer too and can't stand working in there.

Anyone have one of these units that is happy with the performance ? I'll be cooling about 1,000 sq ft with 12' ceiling. Building is heavily insulated and holds heat in the winter very well.

[bilede]

I have three pioneers at my place. One 18k unit on our she shed (quilting place) and two 36k units on my garage main bay which is about 5,000 sq foot with 18 ft ceilings and they work great. Keeps it 78 all summer long in valley of the sun here in Az so should have no issues with what you are asking. My garage is well insulated and i have another pad and electrical box to drop another unit in if I needed more cooling and I have not needed it. I have cooled it down for large parties in there but as stated, I usually just keep at 78 for the deuce and other toys to be comfortable.. Good luck with your install. I found the whole process unpacking to completion took about 4 hours.

[Crush]

I just ordered an 18,000 btu Pioneer unit. I built my previous shop into a hillside. Sidewalls started at 4 ft and stepped up to 10 as well as the back wall at 10' below grade. Even in 90 degree heat, it stayed a constant 72 degrees, as long as I kept the doors shut.
My new place is fully exposed to the sun all day and has a dark green roof. The past few days of upper 80's and low 90's has had the interior temp climb to 82-3 degrees. I had this issue most of last summer too and can't stand working in there.

Anyone have one of these units that is happy with the performance ? I'll be cooling about 1,000 sq ft with 12' ceiling. Building is heavily insulated and holds heat in the winter very well.

I need to get one of these. Couple questions:
Are you getting it from Amazon?
In your research why did you select Pioneer over other brands?
If you are installing, are you having local guys charge it?

Thx

[1967 4K]

In my area a lot of people are using the Mitsubishi units. They seem to be pleased with them.

[Charley Lillard]

I Have Mitsubishi units in my garage in Az. No complaints and very quiet.

[Bill Pritchard]

I have a Daikin unit in my garage here in AZ. It's about 8 yrs old now, works great, zero problems, very quiet.

[Too Many Projects]

I need to get one of these. Couple questions:
Are you getting it from Amazon?
In your research why did you select Pioneer over other brands?
If you are installing, are you having local guys charge it?

Thx
Thanks for all the replies, guys, this helps having made the decision more comfortable.
Reviews on almost anything have become nearly useless. Hard to weed out the complainers from the honest reviewers. They all get negative comments.

I picked the Pioneer because of more good than negative and after looking at it on Amazon, went to their website and bought it direct at $200 less than amazon with free shipping.
I, also, bought the wall stand, dress up kit and Kwik-E-Vac, since I don't have a vacuum pump. All in, it came to $1,135. In hindsight, I may cancel the E-Vac and just buy a good pump, as I need it for the coupe every spring anyway. The compressor is charged with enough refrigerate for 25' of tubing, all it needs is vacuumed/purged.

I try to build/install everything myself. I went thru a 3 year course for commercial refrigeration and HVAC in the late 80's, but the job outlook at that time was dim and I went back into trucking in 1991.


I just hired 2 guys to build an extension overhang on the front of my pole shed/shop. Of course, they said they knew how and had experience and after the first couple hours, I knew I was getting screwed. They made very little progress and were guessing the whole time, but still wanted full pay at the end of the day. Better to just pay and get rid of them than worry about retribution. I didn't even get a pillow or vaseline...:shocked:


So, I will do this myself too. I doubt many installers have, or want to deal with, corrugated siding with 4' O/C posts to attach the units to.

[67since67]

Seven year old Fujitsu in my shop. Virtually silent operation.

[Lynn]

"I just hired 2 guys to build an extension overhang on the front of my pole shed/shop. Of course, they said they knew how and had experience and after the first couple hours, I knew I was getting screwed. They made very little progress and were guessing the whole time, but still wanted full pay at the end of the day. Better to just pay and get rid of them than worry about retribution."

That's been my story for the last few years.

[bdk1976]

I have a pioneer in my office - installed it myself about 2 years ago and could not be more pleased. I'm very well insulated in a fairly mild climate.

I had zero HVAC experience going in - it isn't rocket science and now I have vacuum pump for future installs/repairs. The info is all out there these days.

I've given up on hiring out anything anymore. I am perfectly capable of screwing things up on my own - I don't need to pay others to screw it up for me! BTDT a few too many times - NO MORE!

[bilede]

I went with Pioneeer because they will warranty an install done by owner and are reasonable on cost. The only other brand that will warranty has you purchase a dyi unit at about 20-30% more than their "pro" installed version. All other brands I found would not honor the warranty or even register it if not licensed hvac pro installed.

Also, I got my units from home depot on special at way less than amazon or pioneer direct store but I had patience. I got my 36k units for about 30% off direct price by waiting and watching..

[Too Many Projects]

You're right on the warranty. I was going to buy a different brand, but saw the no warranty unless professionally installed.
That was another justification for buying their Kwik-E-Vac set up... guess I should leave that in...:wink:

[Too Many Projects]

I was leaning towards the pump to leak check, but now I wonder where I can buy a can or 2 of the 401 refrigerant to do an initial charge of the lines and evap unit for a leak check before opening the valves on the compressor unit ???

[L_e_e]

Pioneer also offers a 5% discount for:
Military/Veteran
First Responder
Senior Citizen
That is redeemable on checkout.

[Too Many Projects]

Pioneer also offers a 5% discount for:
Military/Veteran
First Responder
Senior Citizen
That is redeemable on checkout.


Yeah, I got the 5% senior discount.