Solar Friendly Air Conditioners

If you wish to add air conditioning to a structure while powering it with solar power, this is what you need:
  • High Efficiency Mini-Split DC Inverter Heat Pump System. SEER Rating of 18-27 is preferred. Do not use traditional air conditioners if you plan to run it off solar. You will have a bad time.
  • A well insulated structure. Before you install any HVAC system, you need to seal doors/windows and use double paned windows. If you do not, using solar to heat or cool your structure will be nearly impossible. 
  • A large solar power system. If you plan to heat/cool your structure, you will need a ton of power! Build it as large as you can afford. 

Mr. Cool: A Heat Pump that Anyone can Install!

This is hands down my favorite mini split on the market. Not only is it the easiest to install, but it has a fantastic warranty and efficiency. 

Mr.Cool uses patented pre charged lines so you can install it safely without an HVAC tech. You can install this with basic tools in a couple hours!

Features:
  • Reverse cycle heat pump, so it is an air conditioner during summer, and a high efficiency heater during the winter! And a dehumidification setting that works great.
  • High efficiency: 22 SEER (most home air conditioners are 13-16 SEER)
  • Comes with everything you need to install it. All you need is a few wrenches and drill attachments that you can buy from any local hardware store. This is the only heat pump on the market that anyone can install!

The only downside is the cost. It does cost more other other heat pump models because it uses their patented pre-charged line system to enable anyone to install it quickly. If you are on a a tight budget or need to install multiple heat pumps, check out the models below. 

If you need something that is easy to install and will work great, Mr. Cool heat pumps are for you.

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If you have a vacuum pump or HVAC professional available, buy this:

EG4 AC/DC
​High Efficiency Heat Pump

There is nothing else like it on the market:
  • Can run from AC source (the grid or offgrid inverter) or directly from a solar panel array! No batteries/solar controller required. Direct connect a few solar panels in series and you are set!
  • High Efficiency: 25-38 SEER!! This is more efficient than the competition, and ideal for offgrid solar use
  • Cheaper than the competition, especially Mr. Cool. Save hundreds of dollars
  • High quality compressor
  • Reverse cycle allows you to use it as a heater during the winter
The only downside is that you need a vacuum pump during install, or to hire an HVAC tech for an hour to pump the lines (there are tutorials on youtube if you wish to do this yourself).

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Connect a solar panel array directly to this air conditioner:
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What I use for my workshop

​What I currently use to cool and heat my 1000 Sq Ft work shop is a 36,000 BTU Pioneer Mini Split with DC Inverter Technology.

Not easy to install, and not as efficient as my mr. cool mini split, but it does work well. If you have an HVAC tech on hand, go for this unit. If you are doing a DIY install, use mr. cool instead.

If I were to choose a mini split for my shop, I would have gone with Mr. Cool or the new EG4 heat pump up above. They are amazing.

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If a mini split is too difficult to install,
​check out the midea U Inverter Window AC

This is the most efficient window AC on the market. At 15 SEER, it is nearly as good as a mini split! I own one, but plan to own 2 more.

I am installing these in my new house because the current AC system is not nearly as efficient and it would cost a fortune to switch it out. I put one of these in my bedroom and I run it off of my grid tie system. 

I have installed many window AC units in my day, and this was hands down the easiest. Took 6 screw and about 30 minutes for full install. 

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