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Friedrich FPHW183B Mini-Split: At a Glance
Rating: 4.8/5
Mini - disunited warmth pumps are pull in in popularity for a couple of reason . They bid heat and airwave conditioning in a single social unit , and installation is often much simpler compared to a traditional HVAC system . They ’re double-dyed for single rooms , workshop , orgarages , and they ’re quieter than window orover - the - sill AC unit . We installed an Energy Star - certified oestrus pump miniskirt - stock split from Friedrich on a small commercial building and try out all its feature .
This is the first mini - split we ’ve test , and we really did n’t know what to expect . Keep reading to learn more about this slew technology and to find out how theFriedrich miniskirt - splitperformed in our script - on tests .
Testing the Friedrich Mini-Split Heat Pump
The first step in installing the Friedrich melodic phrase conditioner / heater combo was selecting a fitly sized unit . Like HVAC systems , mini - splits are sized according to the size of the space they ’ll be heating and cool . The building where we choose to instal and try the Friedrich has a relatively small main area of about 630 satisfying feet with a 9 - understructure ceiling corresponding to theFriedrich FPHW183B 18,000 BTU exclusive zone social unit . This bundled unit contains the FAHFW18A3A paries unit and the FPHSR18A3B outdoor compressor .
We add the exterior compressor on the building ’s roof and the float wall unit at the upper bound of the internal rampart . We hired an HVAC company to ladder the refrigerating line , as required by build code . After installation , we try out the mini - split to see how well it heated and cool down the infinite . It comes with a remote control and the power to download an app and synchronise the unit to a bright twist .
Energy Efficiency and SEER2 Performance
The Friedrich ductless mini - split is Energy Star manifest , mean it meets theEnvironmental Protection Agency ’s energy - efficiency guidelines . The unit is rated 21.0 on the SEER2 scale , which is an update version of the earlier SEER , which evaluate how expeditiously an aviation conditioner or heat pump operate . A rating of 21.0 easily surpassesSEER2 guidelinesfor all realm in the United States .
But how well did the Friedrich heat and cool for us ? It perform very well , although it was much well-off to test its cooling system than its heating ability . The unit was installed on a summertime solar day when the out-of-door temperature draw end the one C mark . By the time the mini - disconnected air conditioner was up and consort , it was midafternoon , and everyone in the building was sweating . Within 15 minutes of starting the Friedrich , we could all experience a slight pearl in temperature . At one time of day , the temperature had dropped to a comfortable 70 degrees Fahrenheit .
Testing the unit of measurement ’s heating capability was more intriguing because it was hard to know how much heat the Friedrich was putting out and how much was being take in through the exterior walls of the building . To reduce the ambient heat effect , we opted to test the unit ’s heating ability early one first light before it acquire light . First , we ran the social unit ’s AC to bring the room ’s temperature down to 60 degrees Fahrenheit . Then we grow up the temperature . In 35 minutes , we were at 75 degree Fahrenheit in the construction . We have to attribute part of that to the outside temperature , which was 80 degrees Fahrenheit when we tested . Still , the miniskirt - split put out a good amount of heat energy .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Installation Aspects
sure aspects of installing the Friedrich heat pump mini - disunited AC are DIY - favorable , but others necessitate the services of professionals . We were able to set the exterior unit of measurement on the building ’s cap , cut back a hole in the paries for the pipage , and climb up the interior angle bracket plate that bear the floating air manager . What we could n’t do was connect the refrigerant melodic line and some of the wiring .
luckily , Friedrich use FastPro Technology to reduce the amount of fourth dimension and work an installer has to spend on the unit . We hired a couple of very learned and professional technicians fromMcPherson Quality Air , and they had no problem knock off up the Friedrich mini - disunited , although neither was familiar with the Friedrich make .
We did unravel into one instalment issue when we were endeavor to determine an HVAC company to add the Friedrich . Several companies told us that if they did n’t betray the social unit themselves , they would n’t instal it . If you ’re looking to instal any mini - snag , it might be deserving call local HVAC companies ahead of prison term to see which 1 they are comfortable installment .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
All in all , it took us about 3 hour to accomplish our part and about 3 additional minute for the technicians to discharge their part . Keep in thinker that they had to climb up and down from the cap ; had we mount the compressor closer to the priming coat , it would likely have taken less prison term .
Operating the Friedrich Heat Pump Mini-Split
Just as with any new contrivance , there ’s a eruditeness curve when it amount to operating theFriedrich miniskirt - split , but for the most part , it ’s intuitive . Within 15 minutes of studying the outside control and comparing the buttons with the instruction in the instruction manual , we ’d set the clock , scroll through all the index modality , tried out both the erect and horizontal louver - swing power to equally lot cool airwave in the space , and programmed the timer .
But , there ’s more to it than that . The Mode button permit us to select between Cooling , Dry , Fan Only , or Heat . For anyone living in a humid mood , teetotal mode will help you feel more comfortable whether or not you ’re cool down simultaneously . In this sense , the mini - split is alike to a dehumidifier , and it ’s rated to remove up to 2.7 dry pint of moisture per minute from the air . That ’s a prissy perquisite .
The fan has six speeds , and all of them are passing quiet . The unattackable speed is called Surge , and it makes nimble workplace of cooling or heating a quad but only creates 48 decibels of speech sound . That ’s like to the sound of a dishwasher lean in the background . At the lowest amphetamine , we had to stand right under the air handler to be able to hear it . Yes , it ’s really that muted . If you ’ve ever had to be in the same room with a window AC unit , you wo n’t believe how much quieter the Friedrich miniskirt - split is .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
For convenience , the remote also has a Smart clit . At first , we thought this was about synchronize it with Wi - Fi , but we were unseasonable . The impertinent clit earmark the unit to cool down , heat , and dehumidify based on the temperature in the room . If the temp in the room is below 70 degrees Fahrenheit , the unit heats . If the temperature pass away over 79 point Fahrenheit , it starts cool off the aviation . Only the buff bunk between 70 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit , and the mini - fragmented dehumidifies between 73 and 79 level Fahrenheit .
The only feature we did n’t get to prove was the Wi - Fi connecter because there is no wireless web in the construction where we installed the Friedrich . But , if it work even half as well as the unit ’s other feature , it will be a slam douse too .
Why The Friedrich Ductless Heat Pump is Worth the Investment
you’re able to buy a less expensive 18,000 BTU single - zona miniskirt - split , but we doubt you ’d find one that ’s as easy to install and that performs as efficiently as the Friedrich . Currently , the bundled whole sells for $ 1,899 from ToolHomeSupply , but it will in all likelihood initiate appearing on other retail sites soon .
TheFriedrich FPHW183Bis Energy Star certified and boasts a high - efficiency 21.0 SEER2 paygrade . Its ductless heat pump engineering saves money over other ways of heating and cooling , and the exterior compressor unit can be establish along a paries , on the land , or on the roof as we did .
The Friedrich Air Conditioning Co. was founded in 1883 and has long been known for its high - quality product . Friedrich environment product are designed for residential and commercial economic consumption , and in our hands - on mental testing , this unit was effective and unbelievably quiet .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Product Comparisons
So, is the Friedrich ductless mini-split right for you?
If you ’re considering installing a mini - fragmented system , and you value efficiency , ease of installation , and quiet operation , this Friedrich megabucks might be just what you ’re looking for . It ’s design to stir up and nerveless spaces up to about 800 square feet , and it do with a 21.0 SEER2 energy paygrade , which could intend gloomy heat and cool costs .
Its FastPro installation engineering imply the HVAC techs can hook it up more quickly , so you may relieve some money on installation price . Plus , if you ’re ready to hand , some of the preliminary frame-up is DIY - friendly . The interior aura handler whole sit down high on the bulwark and takes up very little place , making this a good alternative to using aportable AC unit .
However , if you ’re only planning to utilise the building block as a backup to an existing HVAC system and you wo n’t ply it consistently , purchasing a punk manikin might make signified . The Friedrich ductless mini - split heat pump was the complete choice for our edifice . It offers mellow - efficiency zip savings and is so quiet we typically do n’t even know when it ’s run .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Meet the Tester(s)
Glenda Taylor is a product quizzer and writer specify in the expression , remodeling , and real estate industry . She and her husband own a general contracting company , and Taylor is experience in both residential and commercial-grade construction applications . She tests a wide range of world power tools as well as other nursing home improvement , home , and lawn - and - garden product .
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Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
