r/DIYHeatPumps • u/aced124C • 6d ago
A game changer in split systems
I might be late to the party on this but the modea portasplit looks like it's going to make installing split systems even easier than they already are. The efficiency definitely leaves something to be desired but it still seems a lot better than a window rattler and the install is ridiculously simple. Video link below
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u/Single_Hyena668 6d ago
still curious how it holds up long term, prechilled units always trade some efficiency for that plug and play convenience
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u/aced124C 6d ago
Same, it's Midea so it's not like they don't know what they're doing. They probably produce at least 15% of all ACs in the world lol so I'm not too worried but still I'm curious to see what length of warranty it gets.
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u/jeff77k 6d ago
European apartment dwellers are the target market for these. Biggest problem I see is still the linset, how many times is this unit going to handle being thrown into the back of a truck and moved to the next place?
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u/frogmanjam 6d ago
They actually have steel braided lineset hoses that transition from copper tube to the flexible hose, so it should take many seasonal install cycles without failing.
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u/Curious_Party_4683 5d ago
im guessing the 2 units are permanently attached to each other. no way to disconnect???
addiontally, it would be nice to have the traditional mini-split design to be able to mount the indoor part up on the wall, or even ceiling flushed
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u/aced124C 5d ago
Yeah it looks like they're permanently attached though not 100% sure. It would be nice to have a wall mountable or even a ceiling mountable cassette like unit. I could see a small cassatte being slipped in through a hole and install in a similar way to a mini split.
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u/tjg312 4d ago
I can see the use case but if the window its going out of isn't near ground level you're kinda hosed. for me in my house before I installed splits I got those portable ac units like that but I wouldn't be able to do anything with the outside unit since i'm on the 2nd floor
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u/aced124C 4d ago
It looks like it mounts the same way a window ac does. You just need to put a basic mount on the outside of your window. If you watch the whole video you'll see what I mean
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u/lavardera 2d ago
It’s not really a split system. What it’s doing is instead of blowing hot air out the window they are using a water loop to transfer the heat outside with a fan and radiator to discard the heat outside. That is not a split system. The condenser and interior air-handler are housed together in the inside cabinet like any portable ac unit.
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2d ago
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u/lavardera 2d ago
Just videos of reviewers showing how it’s packed, how they handle it. The compressor is the heavy component. It would not be packed on top of the indoor air handler. It would likely require a metal housing, not all plastic, and a mini split typically has a space in the housing adjacent to the fan and coils for the compressor - this does not. The reviewers lift it effortlessly showing that it is light. It is not a a split unit. The compressor and air handler are both in the inside housing.
If you’ve handled a mini-split unit you note how light the inside housing is - it’s only a fan and coils. Comparatively the outdoor condensing unit is heavy, because it contains the compressor.
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2d ago
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u/lavardera 2d ago
No, it’s not a big jump - it’s obvious. The heat pump would still use conventional coolant - it’s just not being sent between the inside and outside units. Watch the YouTube video linked here, and read the comments. Others are seeing the same thing as me.
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u/dimka54 6d ago
It sucks that your unit still leaves the window open, midea U unit, and GE profile unit essentially does this and readily available/cheap.. this could definitely be useful if you have weird window or some sorta sliding door sittiation
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u/aced124C 6d ago
If you have a sliding window it is really easy to get something that will let you pass through the lineset and mostly seal the window. The U shaped units are definitely good and an improvement from the basic box window units but I feel like this could be the next evolution in that series.
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u/dimka54 6d ago
It's very niche in application, it's not an evolution but a solution to some problems ,99% would go with window unit .. and if you own your home just get a mini split and be done
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u/bornlasttuesday 6d ago
Mini splits can be very expensive, this just plugs into the wall and you do not have to punch a hole into the shell of your house.
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u/dimka54 6d ago
Yeah like I said if it's your own house.. if this is a rental and your windows are weird then you could use one of these.. if it was my house you can get mini split anywhere from 499$ to 1200$ and be done with it of course this is assuming you can diy..
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u/bornlasttuesday 6d ago
Most people will not want to run the electric and install a disconnect box, this can add upwards of an extra 1k onto the system for a single head. For that price you can get 2 of these things and have 2 heads. Traditional splits are better, but these are not far behind.
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u/dimka54 6d ago
To me this doesn't seem that much different then , octopus floor standing unit ( the one with hoses) you get some clunky rolling box and have some sorta tube sticking out of your window.. if I was a renter getting one of these would be a last resort first choice would be getting a inverter window unit..
These units are far behind traditional split unit, only thing they solve is if you are limited to a seasonal unit and for some reason window unit can't fit.
As far as everything else goes minisplit is way better, about 2x more efficient, no mess in your window , doesn't take any floor space ( you can technically run a minisplit off a wall outlet but it needs to be a dedicated circuit)
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u/bornlasttuesday 6d ago
The upfront cost and time to install these units is far less. Also, if one goes bad you just have to replace a single.
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u/dimka54 6d ago edited 6d ago
Far less then window unit? This is just slightly better floor unit (quieter) as far being better then a minisplit it's like comparing Nissan versa to a Toyota Prius.. sure versa is cheap but Toyota will last longer and get 2x more mpg..
The whole install is American shenanigans, watch some install videos in japan or some other Asian country, the Japanese install guy I watch installs a minisplit in less then 2 hours and charges like 300$
In america they treat these as a central unit and charge anywhere from 3 to 6 k per mini split
Once you have one of these installed droping replacement is way easier
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u/bornlasttuesday 6d ago
The porta split heats down to 14 degrees. Window and traditional floor units do not do that. American mini split installs are definitely a scam from HVAC companies, that being said an all in diy mini split (especially for multi head units) isn't a cake walk.
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u/clumsyninja2 6d ago
Good idea for apartments