Putting aside the fact that most folks shopping Home Depot's website have no business attempting to install them, does anyone have a feel for the general hardware quality of the DIY-ish mini-splits sold on Home Depot's website? It's hard to deny that they're remarkably cheap for what they claim you get. I'd be curious how well they hold up with a competent install behind them.
Posted Jun 30, 2020, 6:31 PM UTC
I looked at the home depot usa website.
No real contractor will know as even in canada my prices for brand name minisplits are less.
Majority of an installation is labor cost. Bad install equals issues down the road. Good install and then you hope there are no electrical or computer board issues with a low quality home depot unit.
I’ve self-installed two Pioneer mini split units (not “direct from China” cheap, but still firmly on the cheap end). One has been running for 3 years, the other 2 years.
It all comes down to install. Even the cheapest units will generally run fine if you take the time to install them properly. Problems come from poor installation - leveling problems (condensate drain issues), improper refrigerant charges, bad flare fittings, etc., will cause common problems.
If you do decide to go the DIY route, research the hell out of it. Every installation step should be planned with future-proofing in mind. If you need to replace or upgrade the system in the future, make it so the replacement is a trivial job you can easily DIY. Make everything as accessible as possible, oversize all wiring, leave extra clearance around indoor and outdoor units, etc.
I don't fart around with installs. I actually had a local company out working on my geo unit (TXV gummed up because of a bad factory braze leading to lost charge and running in vacuum pulling in moisture, from what I can tell - my brazing skills are not up to replacing a TXV on my primary home unit), and the tech offered me a job on the spot. Good to know I have options...
This is just for my garage and is purely for convenience (I can tolerate it freezing if it comes to it). Cheap is the name of the game. I've got all the relevant tools and care of workmanship, IMO.
I figured the equipment is largely fine. I think a typical home-gamer would be WAY in over their heads on something that complex. I at least like to think I'm a bit beyond a typical home-gamer, though HVAC/R is certainly not at the forefront of my activities. I actually do controls (PCB level design) for commercial and industrial applications, but I don't generally end up mucking with the refrigeration system itself all that much.
They work but that's about all that can be said about them, besides I'm not working on it