BajaNomad

2022 Mini Split Inverter AC/Heat Brands

G-Man - 3-15-2022 at 05:31 PM

Hola a todos!

Looking for opinions on the most used/installed, best types, best brands, best value mini splits to put in a new construction house in San Felipe, BC 🇲🇽.

Not really wanting to have to purchase & import from the USA.

Mirage? vs York? vs ??

Bob and Susan - 3-15-2022 at 06:14 PM

mirage ...inverter... cold hot... 110v... one ton
precharged and ready to go out of the bx


Mula - 3-15-2022 at 06:39 PM

And made in Mexico. Have had mine - 220 and 110 heat and air for 3 years and love them. Mirage Invertechnology - and I am on solar panels. I have both 1 ton and 2 ton.

4x4abc - 3-15-2022 at 07:56 PM

I have bought several different brands and technologies over the years

The Mirage inverter is the quietest, most efficient of all

and the Mirage is the only one that has not failed once in 10 years
all the others needed recharging or capacitor replacement about every 2 years

JDCanuck - 3-15-2022 at 08:49 PM

Any hints on where to purchase Mirage in La Paz? We installed both Carrier and Lenox, did not see Mirage as an option where we purchased.

4x4abc - 3-15-2022 at 09:03 PM

https://www.google.com/maps/search/mirage+aire+acondicionado...

PaulW - 3-15-2022 at 09:19 PM

Mini split comparison. This was the only chart with side-by-side comparison. I used Google so there are for in the states and may not be available in Baja. I noticed that browsing other links many of the ones in the chart are recommended by other making ratings.
I wonder if any are sold in Baja.

Mini splits.jpg - 112kB

I have a DIY installed LG system with 4 splits in our house in Colorado USA. Worked so far for about 10 years. Heat pump enabled.
In Baja I have two splits Mirage. 20 years old and have had it serviced once. Heat pump enabled
Neither of these brands would be comparable to the efficiency of modern units.
Any way my advice is forget all the details and see what your local Baja dealer has to offer then find out the best SEER for comparison. Here in San Felipe the biggest dealer is pushing York, but services all brands.
BTW, I think they all use inverter compressors and both LG and Mirage are quiet.

bajapedro - 3-16-2022 at 05:52 AM

I have a Sharkair 3/4 ton 24v DC mini splint in my bedroom. uses only 500 watts to run. works great. Happy with it so far. Brought it across the border with receipt. No-one care. didn't pay any tax.

JDCanuck - 3-16-2022 at 06:28 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajapedro  
I have a Sharkair 3/4 ton 24v DC mini splint in my bedroom. uses only 500 watts to run. works great. Happy with it so far. Brought it across the border with receipt. No-one care. didn't pay any tax.


https://sharkaire.com/24-V-DC-Ductless-Mini-Split

Interesting concept for off-grid smaller cooling or heating loads. What is your application of use (RV or small cabin?) and how has it worked out so far? My 1 tons idle at about double that power draw using AC power for cooling 300 sq ft area each down to 25 degrees in 35 OAT, but do cost a fair bit less.

Bajazly - 3-16-2022 at 07:23 AM

I went with Gree, heal and cool, on several recs and, they have a 10 year warranty. Happy so far.

mjs - 3-16-2022 at 08:30 AM

In San Felipe you'll have a choice of several vendors / installers. Samisa being the most well-known, carries York and Panasonic IIRC. Other places will carry Midea and Mirage. May be some other brands in the local market too.

We've York, Mirage and Midea units, each from different local vendors. We're full time residents so the units run all summer. Have not had any issues with the units and no complaints about the different vendor or installation. I would be less concerned about the brand and more concerned about the available maintenance and support in the future.

Samisa will probably provide the best service and installation but also be the most expensive.

Terry28 - 3-16-2022 at 09:51 AM

We just had two 1 1/2 ton LG minisplits installed at our house in Rosarito..220volt,
pricey but they work great!!

JDCanuck - 3-16-2022 at 10:12 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mjs  
In San Felipe you'll have a choice of several vendors / installers. Samisa being the most well-known, carries York and Panasonic IIRC. Other places will carry Midea and Mirage. May be some other brands in the local market too.

We've York, Mirage and Midea units, each from different local vendors. We're full time residents so the units run all summer. Have not had any issues with the units and no complaints about the different vendor or installation. I would be less concerned about the brand and more concerned about the available maintenance and support in the future.

Samisa will probably provide the best service and installation but also be the most expensive.


Good point, MJS, especially for those of us that exist well off the beaten path. I've always liked Panasonic or LG based on the stated efficiencies and supposed durability of their units. Our supplier gave us Carrier and Trane, even tho we asked for Panasonics as a preference. It will take a good 5 to 10 years before we can comment on durability, and by then we will have a whole new set of manufacturers to compare to.

Hook - 3-16-2022 at 04:23 PM

Our 1.5 ton Mirage continues to work after 11 years. But the oscillating fins stopped a few years ago and I cant seem to fix it. Cant seem to get the ends of the blades into the correct position of the side tracks that move.

Bob and Susan - 3-18-2022 at 05:59 AM

i have 10 mirage 12k btu (one ton) mini splits
half are inverter half regular

all cool the same
400 sq feet per unit

inverter tech is a "slow start" for the compressor...
it uses any voltage and maybe better for the town current that fluctuates all the time

the 2 that have heaters can heat the house 10 degrees in one hour
works great
propane heat is hotter though

units are very quite
they come pre charged and ready to go
I made wall racks to hang the compressors under the eves to get them off the ground and had the ac guy shorten the freon tube

the units come with a 15 foot freon tube with copper ends but the tube is aluminum and cannot be shortened

all the remotes are the same...interchangable

David K - 3-18-2022 at 06:23 AM

As guests at Playa Frambes Lighthouse Resort, in the heat of late July, we were totally comfortable there! Sure hope we can do it again...