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Mitsubishi 110V. Vrs. 220V

KCA_2
KCA_2 Member Posts: 308
in A-C, Heat Pumps & Refrigeration
Hi !
I’m looking at putting in a Mitsubishi #mszjp12wa indoor unit 115vac
And I’m told that the 110 V is comparable to the 220 V in electrical usage because of some component. What do you guys know about this unit and what it’s like to use a 110 unit versus a 220 unit. And if in fact the 110 units are good and worth their money.
Thanks
:-) Ken

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,517
    The voltage only affects 1 thing which is the wire size used. Electricity is paid for in wattage. Weather a unit uses 120 or 240 volts it costs the same to run that appliance on either voltage

    If you run 240 volt you can use smaller wire which may save $$ with a large unit on a smaller unit it's peanuts
    KCA_2
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 4,844
    edited March 2020
    No difference at all.
    KCA_2
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,632
    240v will balance the load better on your service especially if there are a number of them. Technically there is slightly less energy lost as heat in the wiring too.
    KCA_2
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 4,844
    mattmia2 said:

    240v will balance the load better on your service especially if there are a number of them. Technically there is slightly less energy lost as heat in the wiring too.

    220 will balance the load but with just 110 that's the electricians job.

    Can we actually measure the heat loss in a residence?
    KCA_2
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,060
    Not only balance your electrical system it also gives you a better compressor starting if there is a voltage drop on the system.
    mattmia2KCA_2
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,632
    pecmsg said:

    mattmia2 said:

    240v will balance the load better on your service especially if there are a number of them. Technically there is slightly less energy lost as heat in the wiring too.

    220 will balance the load but with just 110 that's the electricians job.

    Can we actually measure the heat loss in a residence?
    The electrician can distribute the load between the 120v legs but depending on how those loads get used it will be more or less balanced. Either one is fine, 240v has some slight advantages.
    KCA_2
  • PRR
    PRR Member Posts: 126
    edited March 2020
    The indoor unit is just a small fan. Seems to be 30 Watts. Like a light-bulb. "Load" and "Balance" are totally moot at this power level. Use what is already in the room. Most homes have 120V. Large office buildings might provide a separate 240V circuit for all the indoor blowers because if you have 50 units over 300 feet of building the line-loss and wire-cost does start to matter.

    The major electric load is the OUTdoor unit with compressor. I have 18kBTU on 240V 10A, so 12kBTU at 120V would suck 13.3 Amps, which is acceptable on #12 wire. But most wire-guys would run a 240V line just in case someday it needs a bigger hungrier compressor. So 120V compressors are rare above window-unit coolers.
    KCA_2
  • GW
    GW Member Posts: 4,692
    Y’all serious? 110 v units aren’t as efficient as 220v systems. Just read the seer and eer ratings
    Gary Wilson
    Wilson Services, Inc
    Northampton, MA
    gary@wilsonph.com
    KCA_2
  • KCA_2
    KCA_2 Member Posts: 308
    The Seer rating is 17 and EER is 9.9..... apparently the inverter helps balance this all out but a 110V compressor would seem to pull more amps than a 220V
    He wants to use a 110 outlet that happens to be in the deck...
    so is it still pretty much the same?
    :-) Ken
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,625
    No real issues, except that you want the power to the mini split to be dedicated. If the deck receptacle is like many others, the circuit will (should!) be GFCI protected & may run around the exterior of the house or garage for e.g. outdoor lighting. If that's the case, you'll want to remove the other receptacles, & possibly change out the GFCI breaker, if Code doesn't mandate it.
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,625
    Oh, and, assuming you dedicate the circuit to the mini split, you can just swap out the breaker & make it a 220 volt feeder. Again, make sure there aren't any receptacles, or any other loads for that matter, on the circuit!
  • GW
    GW Member Posts: 4,692
    Ahhh now I understand the general question. You’re not supposed to do what you’re suggesting, against code. Can’t you just hire an electrician and be a good steward of your property?

    Amps are double for 115v when compared to 230v (if the watts consumed are the same). Simple math on that one
    Gary Wilson
    Wilson Services, Inc
    Northampton, MA
    gary@wilsonph.com
    mattmia2
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 4,844
    > @GW said:
    > Ahhh now I understand the general question. You’re not supposed to do what you’re suggesting, against code. Can’t you just hire an electrician and be a good steward of your property?
    >
    > Amps are double for 115v when compared to 230v (if the watts consumed are the same). Simple math on that one
    Add to that the unit Must be on a dedicated circuit.

    Who’s installing this?
    Are they allowed to run power in your jurisdiction?
    mattmia2
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,276
    KCA_2 said:

    The Seer rating is 17 and EER is 9.9..... apparently the inverter helps balance this all out but a 110V compressor would seem to pull more amps than a 220V
    He wants to use a 110 outlet that happens to be in the deck...
    so is it still pretty much the same?

    Yes, a 110 volt motor will pull more amps than a 220. Twice as many, in fact. But power is watts, and that's volts times amps -- so no difference.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England

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