[revkev]

I have been on this forum for a long time, but post little. I need your help. So we've been in the Bubble for 3 years, and I am looking to replace my AC. Currently have a Carrier, but am looking at a Mits. Any one who had a Mits, are they as good as they say (economical and very reliable). The Mits is about $1,400 more. My question is...is it worth it? If I read on line, the reviews say it is --- and of course, I believe everything on line. .
Any thoughts would be welcome.

Thanks,
Kevin

[villagetinker]

Also look at the efficiency of the unit (SEER) so you are comparing apples to apples.

[revkev]

good point. Mits is 16.0, Carrier is 15.2. Is the .8 worth anything???

[biker1]

So, you are looking for a split (ducted system) and not a mini-split? I have an inverter-based mini-split for our lanai (variable speed compressor that ranges from 25% to 100% of the nominal capacity). I would definitely consider an inverter based split Mitsubishi system to replace the main Carrier system when it is time to replace it based on my experience with the inverter based mini-split. The big issue is that the inverter based systems can loaf along at a small percentage of the nominal capacity, and ramp up when needed, instead of cycling. You should be able to get a 10 or 12 year parts and labor warranty.

Originally Posted by revkev

I have been on this forum for a long time, but post little. I need your help. So we've been in the Bubble for 3 years, and I am looking to replace my AC. Currently have a Carrier, but am looking at a Mits. Any one who had a Mits, are they as good as they say (economical and very reliable). The Mits is about $1,400 more. My question is...is it worth it? If I read on line, the reviews say it is --- and of course, I believe everything on line. .
Any thoughts would be welcome.

Thanks,
Kevin

[revkev]

Originally Posted by biker1

So, you are looking for a split (ducted system) and not a mini-split? I have an inverter-based mini-split for our lanai (variable speed compressor that ranges from 25% to 100% of the nominal capacity). I would definitely consider an inverter based split Mitsubishi system to replace the main Carrier system when it is time to replace it based on my experience with the inverter based mini-split. The big issue is that the inverter based systems can loaf along at a small percentage of the nominal capacity, and ramp up when needed, instead of cycling. You should be able to get a 10 or 12 year parts and labor warranty.

Sorry, I’m still new to this (what to include in posts). I’m looking at a whole house ducted system.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by revkev

good point. Mits is 16.0, Carrier is 15.2. Is the .8 worth anything???

As I recall these numbers look like the ratings from 10 years ago, I was under the impression the newest unit were getting closer to SEER of 20.

[villagetinker]

I just looked at the Consumer reports site and found this: (I added my highlights)

Efficiency
This describes how much cooling the unit delivers for each watt of electricity. Efficiency is expressed as the seasonal energy-efficiency rating, or SEER. The higher the SEER, the greater the efficiency. Higher-SEER ACs tend to cost more, but they’ll often pay for themselves over time through lower energy costs. The minimum SEER allowed for a new split system central air conditioner in the U.S. today is 14, which is at least 20 percent more efficient than minimum-efficiency models made even 10 years ago. Systems that meet the Energy Star guidelines for efficiency have a minimum SEER of 15. The most efficient models reach a SEER of 26.

[biker1]

Take a look at the inverter-based system. Mitsubishi is one of the candidates.

Originally Posted by revkev

Sorry, I’m still new to this (what to include in posts). I’m looking at a whole house ducted system.

[revkev]

This is so great. Thank you everyone for forcing me to investigate. It seems the the “thehomeinspection.com” web site compared prices to absolute SEER ratings and found that, as of Jan 24, a SEER rating is the most economical SEER rating. I have always been an accountant, so numbers mean everything time. Keep the info coming, you have no idea how much appreciate it.

And Village Tinker - you are the best. I have always been a sort of “tinkerer”, but oh my, my hat is off to you dear sir.

[villagetinker]

Kevin, I just notice that your title stated HEAT PUMPS versus traditional Air Conditioners. Heat pumps have a completely different installation and as I understand it a higher installation cost but come with higher efficiency. My point I am not sure what you are looking at, heat pumps have wells drilled and then circulate a liquid to pump the heat into the ground or from the ground as needed. These wells are the higher cost.
I am not sure if the heat pumps are being actively installed in TV, but they should be. I will be doing a lot more research as I expect to be doing the replacement in the next couple of years.

[biker1]

You are confusing heatpumps (an appliance that can generate heating or cooling via heat exchange with the air or the ground) with a specific implementation of a heatpump that does heat exchange with the ground. You almost certainly have an air based heatpump at your house unless you live in one of the older sections of The Villages with a standard AC and natural gas heat. Ground source heatpumps are probably extremely rare in The Villages as you need either multiple fairly deep bore holes or a larger shallow area for the heat exchange pipes. The vast majority of heatpumps are air exchange heatpumps. I first had a heatpump in 1984.

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Kevin, I just notice that your title stated HEAT PUMPS versus traditional Air Conditioners. Heat pumps have a completely different installation and as I understand it a higher installation cost but come with higher efficiency. My point I am not sure what you are looking at, heat pumps have wells drilled and then circulate a liquid to pump the heat into the ground or from the ground as needed. These wells are the higher cost.
I am not sure if the heat pumps are being actively installed in TV, but they should be. I will be doing a lot more research as I expect to be doing the replacement in the next couple of years.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Kevin, I just notice that your title stated HEAT PUMPS versus traditional Air Conditioners. Heat pumps have a completely different installation and as I understand it a higher installation cost but come with higher efficiency. My point I am not sure what you are looking at, heat pumps have wells drilled and then circulate a liquid to pump the heat into the ground or from the ground as needed. These wells are the higher cost.
I am not sure if the heat pumps are being actively installed in TV, but they should be. I will be doing a lot more research as I expect to be doing the replacement in the next couple of years.

Huh? I'm confused. Most central HVAC systems in The Villages are air cooled heat pumps, and they have no underground wells. Personally, I would buy a Carrier system with the lowest efficiency allowed by law because of the low cost for electricity. I have seen very few Mitsubishi whole house systems. Carrier units are very common, and very easy to get parts and to repair. There is no way that I would pay an extra $1,400 for a Mitsubishi HVAC system.

[rsmurano]

Confusing, the title says heat pump but the 1st paragraph states AC. You always want to use a heat pump, I’ve used them since the early 80’s. I have both of these heat pumps in my house; the Mits for the lanai, Carrier for the whole house.
The heat pumps TV installs in the newer houses are undersized for the sq footage of the house, by at least 1/2 ton and the Seer is on the lower side. But there is a reason for this madness of undersizing the heat pump and that’s because they (hvac dealer consensus) want the heat pump to run longer to get rid of the humidity. So if the heat pump doesn’t need to run that often, you build more humidity in the house. I also know that you can control the humidity by the ecobee.

When I enclosed our lanai, I looked at replacing our carrier to a larger sized unit based on our sq footage and ‘zoning’ off certain rooms. Every dealer I talked too recommended keeping the carrier and getting a mini split for the lanai. This route has worked great and has actually cut down on our electric bill at the same time it was 1/2 the cost of swapping out the carrier.

[Cincinnatus]

A reliable source that I trust tells me MITS equipment is a bad choice.
I would avoid it.

[donfey]

Originally Posted by revkev

good point. Mits is 16.0, Carrier is 15.2. Is the .8 worth anything???

State minimum is now 15 SEER, but there's a new wrinkle: Is it SEER or SEER2? (I know. They stink!) Check this:
https://learnmetrics.com/15-2-seer2-vs-16-seer/
Hope it helps. Bottom line, "SECO prices ain't goin' down!"