Living 15 Years with Traditional Window AC Units
Over the past decade and a half, our home relied heavily on window air conditioning units to keep our spaces comfortable year-round. These units did a commendable job, providing both cooling during hot Texas summers and heating during colder months. However, after many years of dependable service, the inevitable happened—the window AC in my dedicated office, situated in a separate building on our property, finally succumbed to wear and tear. This incident prompted a comprehensive reevaluation of our cooling solutions.
Our home has expanded over time, with additions like a spacious dining area, a functional office, and a sunroom—all of which were served by the existing AC units that, over time, began to show signs of fatigue. Cooling inefficiency, rising noise levels, and persistent musty odors from aged units made it clear that a change was overdue. Watching movies or engaging in focused work in the office without the background hum of an aging window unit became a priority, leading us to explore alternative cooling methods.
Sourcing Modern Mini Split AC Units
My initial step was to consult with local HVAC professionals to get estimates for installing ductless mini split systems. Living in Texas, where air conditioning is critical year-round, I needed reliable solutions. I required two separate units—one for my office and another for the dining and kitchen area.
For the office, I envisioned a standard installation with the outdoor unit mounted on an exterior wall. The dining room and kitchen, with higher ceilings and unique layout considerations, demanded more precise planning. My budget for replacing the office window unit was around $700, targeting an 18,000 BTU LG model with heating capabilities. Online research revealed that lower-capacity mini splits could be purchased for under $1,000, making them a viable alternative.
However, scheduling conflicts with local HVAC companies and their quotes—ranging from $4,000 to over $6,500 for premium brands like Mitsubishi—were discouraging. This financial gap motivated me to consider a do-it-yourself approach, fueled by extensive research on YouTube tutorials and DIY installation guides.
Exploring Mr. Cool DIY Mini Splits
One of the most recognized brands for DIY mini split installations is Mr. Cool. Their units are popular because they come with pre-charged copper lines, eliminating the need for vacuuming during installation—a process that typically requires specialized equipment. This feature makes DIY installation more accessible to amateurs.
Despite the convenience, I found that Mr. Cool units were approximately twice as expensive as Pioneer models. Considering my budget constraints and the potential cost savings, I decided that Mr. Cool was not the optimal choice for our project.
Consulting with Alpine Home Air Products
Another option I explored was Alpine Home Air Products, known for their comprehensive system design and customer support. They offer the Blue Ridge brand, which can be purchased with standard copper lines or DIY-ready pre-charged lines similar to Mr. Cool. Their service was professional and thorough, but their prices were about $400 higher per unit compared to Pioneer. Since we are experienced technicians managing a garage door business, I was comfortable with the additional planning and labor required to save money by choosing Pioneer instead.
Engaging with Pioneer Mini Split
My first interaction with Pioneer was straightforward and friendly. Their representatives provided clear, no-pressure answers to my questions, reflecting a non-commissioned approach focused on customer support. Over a three-week period, I contacted Pioneer multiple times, gaining confidence in their products and support system. The units shipped promptly from Florida, arriving within five business days in Texas, and arrived in perfect condition.
Choosing and Purchasing Pioneer Mini Split Models
We opted to purchase two units initially: an 18,000 BTU model for our 600 sq ft office and a 24,000 BTU model for the dining room. The office has 8-foot ceilings, while the dining room’s ceiling is higher at 10 feet, tapering down to 8 feet in the kitchen area. The specific models acquired were:
- Pioneer Diamante Pro Series 18,000 BTU 19 SEER2 Ductless Mini-Split with inverter technology, heat pump, 230V, including a 16 ft. installation kit. SKU: WYT018GLFI19RL
- Pioneer Diamante Pro Series 24,000 BTU 19 SEER2 Ductless Mini-Split with inverter technology, heat pump, 230V, including a 16 ft. installation kit. SKU: WYT024GLFI19RL
Accessories purchased included mounting bases, wrapping tape, disconnect boxes, flexible conduit, Wi-Fi modules, decorative line covers, and refrigerant service hoses. Total expenditure, after applying a 5% discount offered by Pioneer, was approximately $2,648.
Tools and Equipment for DIY Installation
To ensure professional-quality connections, I invested in high-end HVAC tools, including a copper flaring kit, an electronic torque wrench, a vacuum pump, leak detector, and a sturdy equipment pad. The total cost for all tools was about $600. These tools proved invaluable, especially as I plan to install additional units in the future, further reducing per-unit costs and gaining valuable experience.
Installing the Pioneer 18,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split in the Office
The indoor unit was mounted in a suitable location, filling the space left by the old window AC. It measures 39 inches wide and was installed with sufficient clearance for airflow. The outdoor unit was positioned on a polypropylene pad, secured with base material from Home Depot, on a side of the building facing a creek—hidden from view and protected from the elements.
The outdoor unit is mounted on a custom-built PVC drain system that channels condensate outside, as traditional setups would typically be outside the building. This approach saved installation costs but may pose challenges for coil cleaning and maintenance in the future. To mitigate this, I plan to regularly clean the coils with a vacuum or coil cleaner, ensuring system efficiency.
Installing the 24,000 BTU Model in the Dining Room
This larger indoor unit fits seamlessly between existing decor, with the outdoor unit mounted above on a dedicated drip pan and secured with heavy-duty straps. The outdoor unit is placed inside a high-quality drip pan with overflow drainage, connected via PVC piping to direct condensate outside. The refrigerant lines were trimmed to about 7 feet, well within the acceptable range, following guidance from Pioneer technical support. This setup minimized cost and complexity, though it may make coil cleaning more difficult.
Using the Pioneer Airlink Wi-Fi App
The app provides intuitive control over multiple units, allowing adjustments of temperature, mode, fan speed, and other parameters. The interface is simple, with options for Eco, Sleep, and Timer modes. Custom air flow direction and speed settings enable precise climate control, making it convenient to manage the indoor environment remotely.
Connecting the Wi-Fi App to the Mini Split
Pairing required some trial and error. I found that turning off the AC, then turning it back on, and pressing the remote display button six times within six seconds enabled the units to enter pairing mode. This method, though not initially intuitive, proved effective and allowed seamless control through the app.
Adjusting Copper Refrigerant Lines
The units come with 16 feet of copper lines, designed to handle up to 25 feet without additional refrigerant. I trimmed the lines—about 9 feet for the office unit—following advice from Pioneer support, ensuring system integrity. Properly sizing the lines is crucial; too short, and refrigerant issues could arise, but so far, the systems have performed flawlessly, maintaining extreme cold in the office.
Heat Functionality Considerations
Note that during hot days above 86°F, the heat pump feature may not activate. This is a built-in safeguard to prevent damage from operating the heat function under high ambient temperatures, ensuring system longevity and reliability.
Final Thoughts and Future Plans
The overall experience with purchasing, installing, and operating our new Pioneer ductless mini split systems has been highly positive. Their quiet operation, energy efficiency, and built-in heating make them ideal for our needs. We plan to add two more units in the near future for our living room and master bedroom. Transitioning from 10 SEER window units to 19 SEER mini splits promises significant reductions in energy bills, along with enhanced comfort during Texas summers and winters. Thanks to Pioneer’s support, we’re confident that these systems will serve us reliably for years to come.