BajaNomad

Trane XE1000 versus Mirage Mini Split

Mula - 8-27-2014 at 08:51 AM

We have a 1 ton Mirage Mini Split and we need a larger unit.

We have 220 electric to the house and have a chance to put in a Trane XE1000 unit.

Being from Alaska, we didn't know what we were buying when we bought the mini split and bought too small.

Anyone have any input on Mini Splits versus Trane XE1000?

http://www.trane.com/residential/en/products/heating-and-coo...

1000 Gracias......

BajaUtah - 8-27-2014 at 09:42 AM

That's kind of like comparing apples to oranges - they are different animals all together . The mini split systems are considered ductless while the Trane you show is a ducted system. If your house has central air - a single air handler with ducts running to each room - you would use the Trane. If you don't have central air you would use a ductless or mini split system. If you have a mini split now I'd assume you don't have central air.

If your existing mini is not keeping up you can do several things. 1, you can replace the unit with bigger, more tonnage. That will require a larger line set - the pipes in the wall. It will require a larger set of wires to supply power along with a larger circuit breaker in your electrical panel. All a pain in the ass but quite doable. The other option is to make your house more energy efficient. Insulate the walls and roof, find and fix air leaks, double pane windows. Anything that keeps the heat out means your existing unit will work better at keeping the cool in.

If you end up changing out the mini split consider 2 options. Both make the unit itself more expensive but much more efficient and useful. Look at a heat pump option for heating. The system itself is already a heat pump by design. You can take advantage of this by adding a reversing valve (factory option) that turns your air cooler into an air heater for those chilly days in January. I think it only added $50 to my units. The other option is to go variable speed on both the evap unit (inside the house unit) and the condensing unit (outside). This will allow your 2 ton unit to use down to 1/2 ton of energy if it's not needed to cool the place. 2 tons of cooling to quickly drop the temp but 1/2 ton to maintain the temp is real money saving.

I work for an HVAC distributor who reps the LG line so that's what I brought down for my place at Lighthouse Point. I paid about $1500 plus the line set for each 2 ton unit of mine. I could have paid a lot less by buying locally but no one had the efficiency. I want to be able to afford to keep my place cool and warm so I opted to import the units I wanted.

Ask any questions you have and if I don't know I can find out.

Mula - 8-27-2014 at 09:52 AM

Great - thanks.

Answered all our questions and no we are not set up for central ducting here in Lopez.

Appreciate your time and response.

bajacalifornian - 8-27-2014 at 12:00 PM

(Amiga, 72 in my kitchen in the camp! Good luck with your air!)

akbear - 8-27-2014 at 02:41 PM

Hi Mula, I replaced my 1t with a 2t Mirage VLU this summer. Went from 17 C to 27c working temp. I also run mine on dehumidify half the day then turn on AC at night. That keeps the house cool during the day, then AC does not have to work hard to cool the whole house down fast at night.

Mula - 8-27-2014 at 03:38 PM

Thanks, AkBear. It is really hot here this year.

akbear - 8-27-2014 at 03:45 PM

It's been hotter, longer over here. 1 1/2 months more.

bajacalifornian - 8-27-2014 at 04:13 PM

Hey Cher . . . low tonight is 47, 70 this afternoon.

Book a ride in Durango, Co.


Good bookstores too.

Mula - 8-27-2014 at 05:03 PM

What ride in Durango?
I used to race my mules there in the early 80's.

bajacalifornian - 8-27-2014 at 07:27 PM

Maybe here for example:


http://www.overthehilloutfitters.com/#dayride

LaTijereta - 8-28-2014 at 11:27 AM

We installed a 2 ton Trane unit in Loreto..

Used these guys in La Paz.. Good pricing, quiet equipment, nice showroom w/ everything in stock..one stop..

https://www.facebook.com/PartesyClimasLoubet/timeline?ref=pa...

Mula - 8-28-2014 at 12:14 PM

Great - thanks.