After years of lusting after a ductless split HVAC unit, I finally took the plunge. I located a number of contractors from the "authorized dealer" sections of the manufacturers' web sites and from servicemagic.com.

I went with a local HVAC installer whose salesman seemed to know a lot about the products he sells.

Folks, if you're considering a ductless split system, there ARE differences in features and design, even though they all look similar. Specifically, the Fujitsu Halcyon DC Inverter series have some unique capabilities that make them a stand-out. The DC inverter allows the units to run within a range of tonage. IOW, while my unit has a nominal BTU rating of 9000, it can actually run anywhere between 3600 and 12,000 BTUs. This means that the temperature will be more even, since it's not a matter of the compressor being on or off, but instead the compressor adjusts its cooling capacity as demand changes. For example, when the unit is first turned on in a hot room, it will run at 12,000 BTUs. Then, as the room cools, the BTU will gradually drop. The temp then stabilizes and efficiency is huge - 21 EER! :)

Another difference is that the Fujitsu heat pump can operate in much lower outdoor temperatures, down to +5 degrees Farenheit. Most competing units won't provide heat when the outdoor temp goes below 25 or 20 degrees. Since this is for an unheated basement HT/listening room, the heat pump feature is great. In New Jersey, there are only a handful of times each winter the temp gets below 5 degrees, so the electric heaters will see much less use.

Like most of these ductless split systems, it has a "Dry" mode for dehumidification - a real plus for damp basements like mine. It also has a remote control with timer function and numerous air-cleaning modes.

And the best, by far, feature of this ductless split system is the low noise level. As installed, the compressor is in my back yard, and cannot be heard inside the basement at all (it is rated with a noise level of about 50dB), and is quieter than my Friedrich window unit in my dining room.

The indoor air exchanger is unbelievably quiet. I had it installed as far away from the listening seat as possible, and even with the A/C on and the fan set to high, it is barely audible. Once the room cools, and the fan speed is lowered, it is almost entirely silent. This thing is reminding me of how bad my Tinnitus is. :(

This unit is replacing a window A/C unit. The difference in noise level is so big that I am repeatedly checking the unit to make sure it is really on! :eek: It cools the basement almost as quickly as the window unit did, and does it quietly.

Finally, I can enjoy movies in the HT in the summer without cranking the volume to drown out the window A/C unit, and in the winter I can leave the space heaters and blankets upstairs. Best of all, I can enjoy all the resolution my 2-channel sources are capable of all year long, now that the old window A/C unit no longer masks all those important details in music. :)

This is actually the single most expensive item in my HT/listening room, coming in at about $3800 installed. It is worth every penny!!! :)

I am happy to answer any questions you guys might have.

Cool...

Well, except when it's a heater.

In your research, did you come across any that have better distance between the ductless unit and the compressor? I think I'm going to need about 50' of line if it's going to live with the other units.

Movtarget in sweltering NC

This thread is worthless without pictures!!!

Lets see it :)

variable speed inverter-driven compressor?? I am curious now...

1. I did not, since my run is short. Try reading through the specs on the manufacturer web sites. The distance limits are usually available.

2. Pics to come if I can figure out how to post them... I am low-tech

3. Go to http://www.fujitsugeneral.com/PDF_06/halcyon06_brochure.pdf for info.

I saw the website. I am just curious if there is a catch.

I don't see inverter-driven compressors making it into the commercial market. Maybe I am blind to them for some reason. There has to be a reason that they aren't more prevalent if they do everything you say they do.

Perhaps Fujitsu holds the patents and won't license the technology.

I don't know about patents on the DC inverter technology, but I do know why ductless split systems in general are not more common. Most HVAC installers have a lot of money invested in their aluminum-bending & cutting machines. In order to recoup this investment, they push customers to get forced-air HVAC systems which require the installation of air ducts (of course I am talking about older homes that do not have forced air heat or air conditioning). While expensive, the ductless split systems will usually cost less than a forced-air HVAC installation, and they are certainly more efficient (each air exchanger is individually controlled, and the compressors are very efficient).

As an update, I have begun to hook up my audio/HT system after completing flood repairs to my basement. Although I have yet to hook up a source to my amp, initial results are not encouraging: The amp, connected only to the main speakers (L/R) and a dedicated wall outlet, produced a loud buzzing that seems to be caused by the HVAC system (it mitigates greatly when I shut off the HVAC system). :mad: I will try this weekend with source gear connected. If I still have this issue, I'll be looking at power conditioning products for the first time ever. :(

I will disagree that companies push the furnace/central air systems because they need to recoup their machine costs. The reason it is in most homes is because it is a cheap and easy way to get central air conditioning to a large area from one piece of indoor equipment.

The majority of ductless split systems are single zone units. If you get a multi zone unit the price factor is blown. With each additional zone unit the possibility of a malfunction is multiplied.

If you have a single central source for air handling the noise to the space will be far less than if the zone unit is directly located in the space.