What’s the Difference Between a MRCOOL DIY and Other Mini Splits? - Ask the Expert Episode 146

There are a lot of mini splits on the market, but few of them are Do-It-Yourself like the MRCOOL DIY Ductless Mini Split.

Video Script:

Today's question is from Jason. "Hey Dan, what's the difference between the MRCOOL DIY and other ductless mini split heat pumps?"

The MRCOOL DIY is made to be easier to install than regular mini splits. The way they do that is they use pre-charged line sets. When you get it in the mail, the line set is already going to be connected to the air handler and the refrigerant is already charged and pre-vacuumed. It's got valves in the end of the line set and you just plug those into the condenser.

They're not just for non-HVAC techs. There are some experienced HVAC people that buy from us and they like them because they're really fast to install. They can put in three or four mini splits per day.

Have more questions? Just ask them in the comments below or on Facebook or on Twitter. 

28 comments (view/add)
  • Mike David
    Mike David
    Posted on 7/8/2023

    We have a 600 square-foot pool house with 12 foot ceilings and it three large glass garage doors that will allow it to be open on 3 sides. However, we are doing spray foam and putting in a mini split for when it is too hot or too cold to have the doors open. Our contractor is recommending a Samsung 2 ton unit but I am very curious about the benefits of Mr. cool as there is one for about half the price for sale at my local Costco. For a large space like this do you think there will be a difference between Mr. cool, and the Samsung? Quality or longevity differences?

  • Rebekah Quarles
    Rebekah Quarles from Ingrams
    Posted on 7/25/2023

    You would want to take the SEER2 ratings of the systems you're considering into account to compare efficiencies, but one of the great benefits of MrCool units is that they have a series that a homeowner can install without the assistance of an HVAC professional. This means that you save on the cost of installation! You'll also want to take the warranties into account. Since we don't sell Samsung products, we can't really speak to them, but the 4th Generation MrCool DIY Ductless Mini-Split can be eligible for a limited lifetime compressor warranty, a 7 year compressor replacement warranty, and a 5 year parts warranty with a subscription to the MrCool Care program.

  • Randall
    Randall
    Posted on 7/11/2022

    What's the difference in a diy system and the other one? Is one better than the other? I'm an electrician so if I can get a vacuum pump would I be able to do one that's not diy?

  • Rebekah Muller
    Rebekah Muller from Ingrams
    Posted on 7/15/2022

    You can install the DIY without the assistance of an HVAC professional. The warranty of other systems would likely be voided if you were to install it without the assistance of an HVAC professional.

  • Omar
    Omar
    Posted on 3/22/2021

    Can I couple a single zone 18k Mrcool Advantage condenser with an 18k Olympic series air handler. Also the line set i will need is about 6ft would you suggest that I can use a 24k air handler with 18k condenser to make up for the lose of line length?

  • Dan Danowski
    Dan Danowski from Ingrams
    Posted on 3/23/2021

    We would not recommend mixing condenser and air handler models in that way. Nor would we recommend using a 24k air handler with an 18k condenser. As far as the line set goes, any conventional mini-split line can be modified by a technician to the appropriate length for your installation.

  • Shawn
    Shawn
    Posted on 11/13/2020

    I see there are other DIY mini split units available now. How does the Mr Cool compare to something like the Ramsond units? I actually have a Mr Cool in our dog's kennel and it works great and was easy to install !!I can't seem to find another Mr Cool DIY anywhere now so am forced to find another make

  • Dan Danowski
    Dan Danowski from Ingrams
    Posted on 11/16/2020

    I'm not familiar with Ramsond. One thing I would recommend is to check the kind of valves and lines. There are some folks selling their mini-splits as 'DIY' when they're really just conventional mini-splits. And there's nothing particularly do-it-yourself friendly about them.

  • John
    John
    Posted on 8/12/2020

    Could you purchase a mr cool non DIY package (2 zone) and buy the mr cool precharged line sets separately to build your own DIY setup? Is the only difference between the the DIY kit and standard kit the charged line sets and through wall guides or are the valves set up differently on the condenser as well (I think they puncture a cap on the DIY hoses when tightened possibly)?

    Thanks,

    John

  • Kyle
    Kyle from Ingrams
    Posted on 8/14/2020

    Unfortunately, you cannot use the pre-charged lines with a non-DIY system. The connecting valves on the DIY condenser and air handler are different from a conventional mini-split.

  • John p Kramer
    John p Kramer
    Posted on 8/2/2020

    Why do u sell line guard in 12 ft and line is 16?

  • Kyle
    Kyle from Ingrams
    Posted on 8/3/2020

    That's how the manufacturer sells them to us.

  • Sylvia Torres
    Sylvia Torres
    Posted on 6/6/2020

    Are Mitsubishi ductless mini split systems the absolute best, or would Mr Cool be a great choice or at least a very good one? Trying not to spend tons of money. Thank you

  • Kyle
    Kyle from Ingrams
    Posted on 6/8/2020

    Mitsubishi mini-splits have a reputation for being very high quality. MrCool is also a good choice. If you're trying to maximize savings, we would recommend the MrCool DIY.

  • travis snyder
    travis snyder
    Posted on 5/26/2020

    Where are they manufactured?

  • Kyle
    Kyle from Ingrams
    Posted on 5/27/2020

    Virtually all mini-splits of any brand are made in East Asia. Most are made in China.

  • Dan Crump
    Dan Crump
    Posted on 4/22/2020

    What is the difference between the PERFECT AIRE and the Mr Cool that come with the pre charged line set?

  • Kyle
    Kyle from Ingrams
    Posted on 4/23/2020

    The Perfect Aire unit only has a 1 year manufacturer warranty. Which is basically nothing.

  • Trevor Young
    Trevor Young
    Posted on 4/17/2020

    Can you connect multiple heads to a single MrCoolDIY condenser?

  • Kyle
    Kyle from Ingrams
    Posted on 4/20/2020

    Not to the current single-zone DIYs. However, multi-zone DIY units should be available later this summer.

  • Alan Hill
    Alan Hill
    Posted on 3/31/2020

    Is Mr.Cool better than say Bosch in terms of energy efficiency, cooling power, etc?

  • Kyle
    Kyle from Ingrams
    Posted on 4/1/2020

    That would depend on the models you compare. Take for example the Bosch Climate 5000 Ductless System. Like the MrCool DIY, the Climate 5000 is up to 22 SEER, quiet, and available in either single or multi-zone format. Cooling and heating comfort would be comparable. The big difference would be that the MrCool DIY is, obviously, designed for do-it-yourself installation, and the Climate 5000 is a conventional mini-split. That doesn't make it bad, of course. It just means that do-it-yourselfers have a clear choice, since there wouldn't be any significant performance differences in this case.

  • Rino Poeti
    Rino Poeti
    Posted on 9/25/2019

    Is Mr cool system available in the UK? Or an equivalent one?
    Or would they deliver to the the UK?

  • Kyle
    Kyle from Ingrams
    Posted on 9/25/2019

    As far as we know, the MRCOOL DIY is not available in the UK. We don't offer free shipping to overseas locations. As to equivalent products, well, not sure.

  • Eric
    Eric
    Posted on 8/27/2019

    This is the best video ever! Thanks for the advice about electricity.

  • Kyle
    Kyle from Ingrams
    Posted on 8/29/2019

    Thanks!

  • Freddie King
    Freddie King
    Posted on 7/25/2019

    Do they do heat as well as cooling?

  • Kyle
    Kyle from Ingrams
    Posted on 7/25/2019

    Yes.


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