12,000 BTU Mini Split Air Conditioner, with Heat Pump

I'm speaking on two units I just installed over the past two weeks so this isn't a full "reliability over time" review.As described, the units arrived in two boxes each (the indoor unit with it's bits in one box and the other bits in the outdoor box).Since the units are economically priced and the performance ratings seem quite good, and I only need heat in the shoulder seasons before I switch to full on wood heat (vs the $$$ electric forced air), they seemed to fit the bill. The heating comment is based on the notes that these will work down to -10C (14F). I don't know if that means the units will cease to work or if they will lose efficiency, time will tell.With all that, I decided to do the install myself. Here is where you learn about vacuum pumps, gauges and oil (another ~$200), electrical cutoffs, codes, etc. Did my research before I ordered and the work involved seemed to be straight forward, including running 12/2 wire and conduit (and a new breaker / etc).Following various install videos and a chat with an HVAC buddy of mine, I quickly determined the best approach and took it, and here's what I learned:- the 2" hole required is going to be a tight fit, so when wrapping with the vinyl, make it tight. If one goes larger than 2", note that the wall cap cover isn't going to fit (as it's 2") and the larger hole will require more filling.- the drain hole in the bottom of the outdoor unit is 25 mm, and if you cannot drain directly out, you will need some extras for it (note the size). I installed my units onto a wood deck so I didn't want the water just running wherever so I did this bit of extra, and here is where you need to know the size, which is in the manual- One has to remove all the plastic protective shipping covering from the indoor head to get the tape off, which has to be done to install the com wire. Make sure to take care when handling afterwards to not mark up the plastic.Once the connections were made, line sets torqued to spec, vacuumed for 15 minutes and vacuum leak checked via gauge, everything in place and electrics connected, only then I opened the valves to release the R32 gas and pressure checked all the fittings again for leaks ( with a 50/50 soapy water solution).Verifying no leaks, time to throw the power. LEDs lit up and with some batteries in the remote, I had the unit pumping out heat within minutes of turning on the main power.The units so far work as planned. The heat stability in the house is better than ever (haven't had to cool with them yet, may update after next summer). They are very quiet, even the outdoor units are near impossible to hear inside, and outside it's mostly a whirring fan sound.Now, why the support comment? One outdoor unit arrived in a damaged box, which I didn't notice until after the delivery guy was long gone. When I opened the box, I noticed that the unit had a considerable dent on the business end (connectors / electrics / control unit). I contacted Costway via the Amazon contact process, complete with explanation and photos of the box and the unit, and in less than 24 hours they had a new outdoor unit on it's way. If I could complain about anything it would be the nearly two weeks to wait for the new unit (same time to get the original one). However as I was not intending to install them right away (and I had one good unit to install currently) and Costway DID CHECK to see if the time to receive it was OK, and it was so I'm not faulting anyone.So far so good, and time will tell. At this stage I'm recommending my friends and family to consider these units as I now know what is involved for the install, and they work well (they are quiet and throws heat, cooling shouldn't be an issue, and reasonable to install with what's provided).

We got this installed in our new house, we have the same units in our apartment rentals and they work well! It says it can heat, but it has to be over 0 degrees in order for the heat to actually work. As for the AC it works perfectly, and we did buy it again! We had to have it installed, so I would plan that ahead and ask for pricing. The unit itself is at a great price!

Bought the 12,000 btu in January for a renovated 460 sq ft garage apartment. It’s May and still going. Be sure and clean the filter frequently. Super quiet. Works like a champ! My a/c guy originally said to get Mr. Cool, but has changed his tune. Now prefers these a lot. Charged us $400 to put it in. We already had the electrical in place because my son’s an electrician. Very affordable home improvement. Simple to operate. We bought two more, one for the 385 sq ft master bedroom, same BTU’s cause it’s the west side of an older home, and a 9,000 BTU for our 160 sq foot music shed. That one arrived without a filter cover. Called Costway customer service. Kathy was friendly even while sick. They sent cover. Took about 10 days. Finally got to turn on the shed’s mini split. Then after a week it wasn’t cooling. A/C guy came and charged the line. May have a leak in the line set. Not sure yet. Should know before too long. They didn’t find one. He said Costway would send another unit if it stops cooling again. It might be in the blower area the a/c man said. Even with the inconvenience, it’s been relatively painless overall considering the cost of the mini splits. Highly recommend.

Purchased this unit for Basement seems quiet so far.I had this professionally installed by my buddy that does this for a living. keep in mind it will cost roughly another 1000 to have it installed unless you can do it yourself which I don’t recommend.

Easy to install (best if you have someone to vacuum the lines but line is pre charged for hooking up after) works great in our 14x56 mini home