They have old stock to clear? R410 should be cheaper now that R32 is in the market.

Depends if it's new install or take down old put up new. Additional scope of work if the latter. R32 refrigerant should be cheaper than R410a. Tools used about the same.

Take down put up new involves taking down old compressors and inside unit and putting up new ones. That's already cost a bit. The crucial variable is whether old is R22 or R410. If R22, then a bit more work. Plus, it's strongly recommended that the pipes be changed as R22 uses mineral lubricant. R410 and R32 uses synthetic. Unless it's Mitsubishi Electric models with pipe reuse technology employed, the mineral lubricant will gum up and spoil the R410/R32 compressors unless the pipes are thoroughly purged. Thus you can see how much work that's involved already.

This post has been edited by halcyon27: Jun 7 2019, 04:50 PM

just ensure the drain pipe slopes properly and is sized correctly as specified in the installation manual.

Their higher end inverter model, Viva Grande uses R410a and was introduced as early as 2012 but only 1.0HP and 1.5HP based on their brochure. I still see them in shops. I have not seen R32 models yet which are available in Thailand but that was towards the end of last year so things may have changed. Btw, their local website only shows Vita models for inverters which perhaps is their standard inverters whilst the Viva Grande is the high end inverter.

The Viva Grande features are quite impressive: plasma and multi-module air purifier design, 3D Quiet mode (~22db), 3 sleep modes, 7 speed fan level, *auto left right* in addition up down, X-Fan which I believe could be their 10minute mould prevention clean mode (other brand and model employ 20, 30, 45, 90 or 120 minutes). Vita inverters only have manual left right and only 3 fan speeds.

Apart from that, I'm not sure maintenance wise how troublesome it is to replace those filters (more of stock availability) or if they are easily detachable esp the Plasma module to facilitate jet washing ala The Dustbox. Buyers need to see it at the shops to gauge if they are.

This post has been edited by halcyon27: Jun 8 2019, 12:15 AM

Market forces at play. HDB and condo in the earlier design face two issues....dearth of real estate for compressors which affects max loading per wall or AC ledge. The other being max available current (power block) allowed per HDB unit ie 32A vs 40A. Thus, early in implementation, they mandated current capped compressors owing to that. Once they allowed 40A, those HDB estates upgraded to it are allowed to use non current capped multi split systems.

Perhaps the newer condo or HDB design could have allocated more AC compressor real estate but the market preference is already established. Can check their forums e.g. like this one and also this. Perhaps those living there can enlighten of any changes.

This post has been edited by halcyon27: Jun 8 2019, 01:33 AM

Correct. The 4th wire is sometimes called inter unit communication cable. In some models like the Samsung Triangle there's a fifth cable, meaning 2 inter unit cables in all.

This post has been edited by halcyon27: Jun 19 2019, 08:00 PM

It's not a core but rather a inter unit communication wire. Most instances 1, exceptional cases 2.

However if there are units powered in 3 phase instead of single phase 240V, there would be 5 core I believe.

This post has been edited by halcyon27: Jun 19 2019, 08:09 PM

Depends on the requirements. Also ME has R32 but MHI still R410a unless Trio their distributor in Puchong had brought in R32 models.

Their inverter series with 3 fan direction motors (SRKnnYLS) starting at 1.0-2.0HP which in addition to up down motor, left and right are individual motors allowing it to be placed in odd shaped rooms (e.g. L shaped) for simultaneous cooling to all spaces. The left-right louvre flaps have 8 different air flow direction patterns not including auto.

Noise level comparable to ME (R410a). MHI has clean mode for inverters as well as non inverters. Just toggle once with pen on the remote, the power button will turn from [ON]>[OFF] to [ON]>[CLEAN]>[OFF]. Clean only runs fan for 2 hours before powering off. With ME, have to switch [COOL]>[FAN] and set off timer to 2hours.

Maintenance wise about the same unless ME reintroduces Starmex user friendly accessible cleaning parts in their R32 line up.

This post has been edited by halcyon27: Jun 21 2019, 04:25 PM

I used both because of the requirements. MHI used in kitchen because it's L shaped. Both are quiet. The MHI inverter actually has lower electrical consumption than the ME inverter. MHI has some innovation like better PCB protection. ME plus point esp R410 inverters is they can be reused on existing piping that was used with R22 AC. I'm not sure if ME R32 models has this feature.

I've seen the baby MHI used for the small guest room in friend's condo.

ME is easier to get then MHI. Cost wise they are about the same but MHI except for their premium inverters could be cheaper. Premium inverters are those with 3 wind direction motors for up-down, left and right.

Servicing wise, touch wood both are reliable esp ME since the MHI is hardly used. But as I said before, barring a product defect, a good installer and good insulated piping, there should be no gas leaks for its service lifetime.

This post has been edited by halcyon27: Jun 22 2019, 10:25 AM

Reliability and maintenance wise, ME wins hands down.

70-80sqft. It's a 1hp non inverter AC. Model SRK09CM-4 900W. Not seen in the market anymore. Go for R32 models.

R32A should be cheaper than R410a in a few years time. But when done properly, an AC piping is a sealed system. They don't leak as remain like so for its service life time. In SG household it can be 10-15 years before they decide to change.

This post has been edited by halcyon27: Jun 24 2019, 01:09 PM

Can't be. It's here.

Trio MHIAC however have not brought in any R32 inverters yet at least as seen from their website. Later on may be different.

Piping loop practice as prescribed by LG and Samsung in their install manuals and anti vibration mats under the mounting feet can reduce vibration transmission. If compressor is outside bedroom window, thick curtains help. Compressor usually noisy when:
· starting cooling phase
· AC BTU/hr underspec for room's cooling load
· Noticeable continual air leakages from fenestrations ie gaps between door and door frame, door and floor (bedroom & bathroom) or windows (between windows, and its frame), ceiling vents that cannot be closed when AC is in operation
· Fan speed set to maximum level instead of [AUTO]
· Piping insulation single wrap over two pipes instead of per pipe & AC pipe length very long or piping length less than 3m
· Temperature set to 16-24C°
· or a multiple of or all of the above combination.

This post has been edited by halcyon27: Jun 24 2019, 08:07 PM

Normal. Compressor naturally cold and there are holes to allow water to drain beneath. There are also drainage attachments to these holes allowing drainage piping to be attached to convey the water to a drain further away to avoid flooding the floor or roof top.

What model is your AC?

May not be surprising as R32 realise lower electricity consumption than R410.

I have. L shaped in condo. Unless hood is good it will be oily. But AC have to be at least .5-1hp stronger for the same area as cooking and oven is a stronger heat source but otherwise it's ok. Consult your manual on placement so that it's not near your cooker. Be careful about the blower such that it doesn't extinguish the cooker flame but if non-gas it should be ok. Also take care not to blow the fumes away from the hood.

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In many houses, living hall are just human designated zones and if there is no partition or room for dining, calculate them both as one large room.
With open floor plans that has kitchen space flowing into dining and living typically in condos, the space required to cool is larger.

If undersized, it won't save as much. If kitchen has a separate door, you can still save but the stairwell is where it leaks but cold air remains at the lower floor so it may not [leak as much] unless you have a roof vent with soffitt vents in the roof ceiling that cannot be closed whilst the AC is in operation.

If you're sensitive to long term operation cost coming from electricity, inverter correctly sized should save. It's the acquisition cost that's not so palatable.

This post has been edited by halcyon27: Apr 27 2020, 06:40 PM

Flow rate. How fast is air distributed into the space.