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Mini-Split BTU ranges

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jay040

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm looking at a mini-split unit for a 150 sq foot building. On the spec sheet it states:

Cooling Capacity (range)| Btu/h 9000 | (3600-10300)
Heating Capacity (range)| Btu/h 10000 | (3500-10900)

Application area (cooling standard) | sq.ft | 100-450

When I have this installed, will the contractor manually modify the BTUs to ~6,000, or will the system automatically adjust based on heat/humidty, etc?

System: Senville SENL-09CD

Thank you,
 
#2 ·
I assume this is a unit your buying yourself? And then hiring someone to install?
Equipment isn’t sized via square footage. And isn’t given space capacity ranges.
Minis are inverter driven. You don’t set them to a BTU range.
 
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#3 ·
jay040 said:
I'm looking at a mini-split unit for a 150 sq foot building. On the spec sheet it states:

Cooling Capacity (range)| Btu/h 9000 | (3600-10300)
Heating Capacity (range)| Btu/h 10000 | (3500-10900)

Application area (cooling standard) | sq.ft | 100-450

When I have this installed, will the contractor manually modify the BTUs to ~6,000, or will the system automatically adjust based on heat/humidty, etc?

System: Senville SENL-09CD

Thank you,
Click to expand...
9000 BTU is way, way too big for that space.

How low will it modulate down to?

Have you done a heat load/loss calculation?
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
9000 BTU is way, way too big for that space. - I realize this, and it's the basis for my question. I don't know much about turn down rates, and probably did a poor job asking.

How low will it modulate down to? - I assumed this was the turn down rate or cooling capacity range from the spec sheet. In that case it will turn down to 3600 BTUs for cooling. I don't know if that is something manually set by the contractor? And yes, I had hoped to buy this model and have a contractor install.

Have you done a heat load/loss calculation? - I have not - I currently have a Window unit it, and have gone with a 5000 BTU based off the square footage of the building.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
I assume this is a unit your buying yourself? And then hiring someone to install? - Yes
Equipment isn’t sized via square footage. And isn’t given space capacity ranges. - I'm a little confused here - Most of what I've seen uses room size to determine the BTU capacity for Window units/mini splits. I currently have a 5000 BTU AC Window unit which I bought based on sq footage.
Minis are inverter driven. You don’t set them to a BTU range. I also don't understand why the specs include a range, and this unit is marketed for up to 350 sq feet. The range implies it could handle smaller rooms at reduced BTU levels, for lack of a better word? On a previous post, someone mentioned mini splits had a turn down rate to handle smaller spaces, I assumed that was something manually done by the contractor upon install. I'm probably way off here.
 
#6 ·
Most companies wont install homeowner purchased equipment.

Warranty is also going to be very limited or void if you buy it.

Just an FYI.....
 
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Discussion starter · #7 ·
Thanks - there are a few single person AC companies in my town, and I've verified that at least one will install a unit that I purchase. According to the mini-split manufacturer, a warranty will be honored if I can provide a billed receipt for the install.
 
#8 ·
jay040 said:
Thanks - there are a few single person AC companies in my town, and I've verified that at least one will install a unit that I purchase. According to the mini-split manufacturer, a warranty will be honored if I can provide a billed receipt for the install.
Click to expand...
5 year.

10 year if contractor buys and installs and is certified.

Some brands it's 12 years.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk
 
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#9 ·
Senville?

Nvm.

You should call them and ask them for a list of certified techs. But they don't even have a training facility in the US. Don't have tech support or if so its like 1 person. And don't have parts availability.

Watch out buying this stuff. It's just disposable. If anything happens you just buy another one.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk
 
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#10 ·
I also wouldn't trust much of the specs they provide. It was probably tested for a month after they mixed and matched parts from different places to make that thing.

Do they even tell you what it produces at 50* out, 30* out, 15* out? Probably not.

Heat pumps lose capacity the colder it gets out.

Maybe those low heat capacity numbers are when it's 30* out.

Just saying. Think it through

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk
 
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#11 ·
jay040 said:
Thanks - there are a few single person AC companies in my town, and I've verified that at least one will install a unit that I purchase. According to the mini-split manufacturer, a warranty will be honored if I can provide a billed receipt for the install.
Click to expand...
Go for it
Learn the hard way

The second my supply house looks up the serial # and sees whatever dot com there’s a $250 handling fee and the paperwork goes to the bottom of the pile if it even goes there!
 
#13 ·
It’s an inverter unit. It changes speeds based on load.
But it’s still no reason to oversize, too big and the humidity in the space will be uncontrollable. Bigger is not better.
X2 on the disposal thing. It breaks and there’s no support or parts availability.
Your also have no labor warranty. So if it breaks a day after the install, you’ll be responsible for paying a contractor to fix it. Parts warranty is if you can find parts to get.
 
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#14 ·
jay040 said:
I appreciate the warnings. As far as the BTUs go - can someone explain the "turn down rate" and what that means?
Click to expand...
Thats what I'm saying.

its variable capacity. Google it. Then you'll know what the "turn down rate" is.

Then ask yourself at what temperature was this information calculated? did they have it in a room at 60*? 20*?......Because the "turn down rate" is gonna change every few degrees on that unit.
 
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