mini split vs air handler?

[bilbobonger]

Tryin to figure out what kinda air conditioning system we're gonna get here. Gonna have 3 separate zones (1 for veg, and 2 for bloom). Been leaning towards a Mr. Slim unit, but our Hvac guy recommends we go with an air handler instead. Was hoping someone here might be able to weigh in on the pros and cons of each. Thanks for the time.

 

[Puscifer]

A tri zone Mr Slim would be perfect. Or, two separate mini splits, one for veg and a dual zone for flower. (I run two separate units) That being said...
Parts for air handlers in general are MUCH easier to come by than for any brand mini split. But your HVAC guys might be able to hit up a Mitsu dealer in your area for parts.
How are you planning on cooling two rooms with one air handler? I understand that you can duct several rooms but how are you going to control the temps in each room independently?
Pros and cons for each but I chose mini splits and have never regretted it.

 

[deacon1503]

If you have the space, funds, and power...go with the conventional split with ducting.

 

[bilbobonger]

How are you planning on cooling two rooms with one air handler? I understand that you can duct several rooms but how are you going to control the temps in each room independently?
Pros and cons for each but I chose mini splits and have never regretted it.

Three rooms actually, and yeah, controlling temp in each room independently was/is my concern as well. Dude says it'll work though. Figure there's gotta be independent thermostats at each vent?

Thanks for the response.

 

[bilbobonger]

If you have the space, funds, and power...go with the conventional split with ducting.

Thanks for the response. According to my Hvac guy, this'll be a cheaper route, and will have more cooling capability while using about the same amount of power as the mini.

Had my mind set on a Mr. Slim unit, but dude seems to know his shit, and came by good recommendation. Probably just need to stay outa the way and let him do his thing. Big investment tho. Just wanna make sure it does what I need it to do, e.g., independent thermostats like Puscifer was saying (preferably with separate day/night control if possible), and stay sealed off from the outside for future C02 use.

 

[watts]

what brand air conditioner is this guy wanting to install for you?

 

[bilbobonger]

what brand air conditioner is this guy wanting to install for you?

Not sure. Gotta give the guy a ring here in a few. Will get some more details.

 

[bilbobonger]

It's a York unit. Sounds legit. Lookin forward to gettin this thing up and running.

 

[watts]

yes York is very good. I have one, been running 10+ years. I believe the affinity model is the quietest if you are concerned about that.

 

[PrivateAero]

Plus one on air handler. You can get a thermostat that pretty much replaces a room controller and you can have the ducting blow over lights and blow at plants and ditch most of the oscillating and blower fans you've got. If you use the formula on this site to rate it you'll end up way oversized which does matter because the more its running the more moisture it'll remove from air. Also make sure you can put a humidifier and dehumidifier in it. Props for moving to the pro level.


Privateaero

 

[CannaMMJ]

Let me put mu 2 cents in.
I working in the HVAC industry for over 10 years. I can tell you that each room with require a Stat and it's own air damper with a timer.

When zoning a house or splitting off certain rooms it requires extra. There is no way around this.

I have 2 rooms in my house and i chose the mini splits. It's more controllable.

 

[bilbobonger]

Ok, so we're circling back around to using a mini-split rather than an air handler. Can't really find a good location for the handler inside the house, and I'd rather not cut big holes in the walls for the ducting if at all possible. Got three separate units coming (one for each room) made by AirCon. Anyone have any experience with this brand?

Thanks for all the feedback here.

 

[Puscifer]

Well...Aircon is just like any other Chinese made brand. They use name brand compressors but cheap PC boards. Doesn't mean imminent failure, just letting you know the Achilles. Make sure they are wired correctly and use surge protectors and you'll be good to go.

 

[icdog]

Not an hvac guy but in my experience a mini split is much more efficient and better if it has an inverter compressor.
I'm still testing but my 2.5 ton mini split is really close in cooling to my 5 ton split. Might be the same as a 4 ton split or 3.5 ton split.

 

[greenlabel]

For what you need the mini split will work best. Air handlers work best when installed directly in the room, cooling that room only. The whole damper thing sucks, verse controlling each room independently. I would recommend Mr slims, Fujitsu and Lg mini splits. It really depends on how many lights you need to cool.

 

[bilbobonger]

Well...Aircon is just like any other Chinese made brand. They use name brand compressors but cheap PC boards. Doesn't mean imminent failure, just letting you know the Achilles. Make sure they are wired correctly and use surge protectors and you'll be good to go.

Yeah, shit definitely not lookin to get some cheap Chinese crap here. Couldn't find much info online about em, but FWIU the SEER rating's very low too. Tryin to see if we can go with Daikin instead.

Not an hvac guy but in my experience a mini split is much more efficient and better if it has an inverter compressor.
I'm still testing but my 2.5 ton mini split is really close in cooling to my 5 ton split. Might be the same as a 4 ton split or 3.5 ton split.

Thanks for the info. Anyone know off hand if Daikin units have this?

For what you need the mini split will work best. Air handlers work best when installed directly in the room, cooling that room only. The whole damper thing sucks, verse controlling each room independently. I would recommend Mr slims, Fujitsu and Lg mini splits. It really depends on how many lights you need to cool.

Yeah, I'm with ya. Sounds like air handlers probably do a better job cooling, but for multiple rooms, especially w/co2, mini splits are where it's at I think. I had planned on going w/a Mr. Slim unit, but FWIU, my hvac guy's distributer doesn't carry them. Heard lots of good things about Daikin though. High SEER rating and whatnot. Thx for the response.

 

[Born Loser]

Dakin multi nx have the inverter.
Check out their site.

 

[bilbobonger]

Thx Born Loser.

So just to make sure I have this right. A higher SEER rating means that the unit will draw less amps correct? And Puscifer, you mentioned using surge protectors. I'm confused, aren't these things hardwired directly into the breaker box?