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June 29, 2009
Fujitsu ductless air conditoners
Anyone have experience with Fujitsu ductless air conditioning units? Just trying to figure out how to cool my office and considering this option. Any feedback much appreciated.
Comments
If you're just trying to cool a single room, and you don;t want a window AC, why not a portable unit?
They make the best, but there are others...
http://movincool.com/offices-schools.php
Posted by: denton at June 29, 2009 6:27 PM
A ductless unit is a great solution for your use. They're efficient and quiet because the compressor is located outside. The interior air handler is much quieter than a window unit. You'll barely hear it. They also hang on the wall so they don't take up window or floor space. Portable units are not good for permanent use because they're not as efficient, they take up floor space and they need to be vented to the outside through a window, shaft or hole in the wall.
Posted by: jack straw at June 29, 2009 8:01 PM
We have been using Sanyo units the last couple years, at the time they were more technically advanced than the Fujitsu, which were more "industrial" bigger, clunkier units. Certainly Fujitsu may have caught up since...
For old house installations, bear in mind the following advantages:
The indoor air handler need not be mounted on an exterior wall. The air handler can be centrally located, let's say an 18K BTU unit to catch an open kitchen, didning, living room that one might think wall wall wall, and think two units. The only catch is that the condensate drip tube mut be plumbed by gravity to the outside or a waste line.
The refrigerant lines may be routed up and over, or for quite a distance, so that is often easier than the condensate.
The oudoor condenser uit may be mounted on iron brackets, and it can be off the ground.
Posted by: brucef at June 30, 2009 8:25 AM
could be a good solution: how big is your office? Any particular reason you want a Fujitsu? Mr Slim by Mitsubishi is popular also.
You will need the following to do it:
A sturdy wall that you can drill into and hang a heavy outdoor unit or appropriate roofspace.
A way to bring a pipe into your office from the outside to the place where the indoor fan unit will sit. Short distances are better/less expensive.
Electrical wiring (and fuse box space) to the outdoor and indoor units.
A way to drain the indoor unit - either to an existing drain inside or to the outside. It's not much water, but a little bit does exist (and it reduces the humidity inside as an added bonus!).
All up cost estimate for a medium sized space (750 SqF): maybe $6/7K? just a wild guess
Posted by: slopenick at June 30, 2009 10:42 AM
Thanks everyone. No particular reason for Fujitsu except that it was the first brand that I was aware of. Will check out sanyo and mitsubishi too.
Details: My office is approx 650 square feet and there are reasons why I don't want to mount an air conditioner in the window (decorative iron work, blocking window space etc).
Posted by: wasder at June 30, 2009 11:08 AM
Also its QUIET. Just installed my 1 yr old GE unit last night and I could barely sleep. Both new GEs have developed an annoying whine when even the fan runs. Does anyone have a used Panasonic a/c for sale? They are quieter than most fans, but Panasonic does not make window a/cs anymore.
Posted by: cmu at June 30, 2009 11:57 AM
I've used a portable AC before, and it was a disaster. Perhaps they've improved in recent years, but the units are very expensive, and they tend to heat the room as well as cooling it - the exhaust hose does not capture all the heat output, and is not insulated. We're going with a split system.
Posted by: jb312 at July 2, 2009 12:41 PM
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