I think I've had enough of installing and removing the big window A/C. Think I'm going for a mini-split.
Does anyone have experience with these things? Brands to avoid? Note A/C only, don't need heat.
Comments?
Two (or more) smaller and lighter window units might make more sense? More even distribution at lower noise and air-blast. Don't always need them both/all running. Can upgrade or downgrade either/any at-will, and you have inherent fall-back if one fails.
Hong Kong, we have four split units in our 3-BR flat for two full-time residents. All of them replaced "ordinary" window units, so the distance between inside and outside units is silly-short.
Upside is they are quieter.
Also more expensive. Also shorter-lived and in need of more maintenance, given window units usually got NONE, just run to death and replaced.
How Hong Kong can lead the warming world on smart air con use | South China Morning Post
Extract:
..estimate is that our air-con penetration rate is easily three units per person.
That would be around 25 -30 million units, maybe a quarter of them splits, max?
Most durable and best value-for-money are China's own major brands. Think about it. Domestic population is what? And then they supply India, Africa, and the Middle-East as well the Americas and Europe?
Built for durable over efficient, plus they LIE about the SEER ratings. Even so, not really all that bad vs major US or Japanese brands made in the same Chinese province if not same factory anyway.
Bottom line?
I use ignorant window units HERE. Buy them cheap as closeouts, end of season. Replace in minutes when I must. Basic 120 V ordinary outlet sizes (5000 to 10,000 BTU). No "local" refrigerant plumbing required.
Need more? Make another hole in the wall.
Not hard. Doesn't have to have ever been a "window".
YMMV, but there is nothing magical to either tribe of them.
Fixed-plant, or "central" AC is where the heavy thinking pays-off. Done well, the operating cost may be half or less the "point" type AC, the service life double to quadruple.