Just wrapped up installing a ductless mini-split system in my backyard ADU, and man, it's a game changer. Quiet, efficient, and my electric bill didn't even flinch. Curious if others had similar luck or went another route?
We went with a mini-split too, but honestly, it was mostly because our old historic home made ductwork a nightmare. I was skeptical at first—didn't want some modern-looking thing messing up the vintage vibe—but we found a model that blends in surprisingly well. Quiet as a whisper and way more efficient than the ancient furnace we had before. Electric bill's been steady, maybe even a bit lower. Glad to hear it's working out for you too...sounds like a solid choice!
We thought about mini-splits too, but honestly the upfront cost kinda scared us off. Ended up going with a couple portable AC/heater combo units instead. They're not as sleek or whisper-quiet as yours probably is, but they get the job done without breaking the bank. Electric bill's been pretty manageable so far, though I do envy how unobtrusive your setup sounds...maybe someday we'll upgrade, but for now, this works just fine.
Yeah, mini-splits look awesome but that price tag...ouch. Curious though, how noisy are your portable units at night? We've been eyeing them too but worried about sleep disruption.
I get the hesitation on mini-splits due to cost—definitely not cheap upfront. Before I went that route, I used a portable AC/heater combo for about a year. Noise-wise, it really depends on the model. Mine was rated around 52 decibels, which is roughly like a fridge humming. Not super loud, but noticeable if you're sensitive to noise at night. I ended up placing it as far from the bed as possible and using earplugs occasionally.
One thing to keep in mind with portables is the venting setup. You need a good seal around the window kit or you'll lose efficiency fast. I ended up DIY-ing some foam insulation strips around mine, and it helped a lot. Also, emptying the water reservoir can be a hassle depending on your climate—humid areas mean frequent draining.
Long-term, the mini-split was worth it for me because of efficiency and comfort, but portables can definitely work if you're careful with setup and placement.
