Cool and drain the swamp!

We have Fujitsu. My biggest complaint is that it is so quiet, it doesn't mask that darn rooster at 3:30am. Sales and service by Atlanta Refrig. (tu)

We have Fujitsu. My biggest complaint is that it is so quiet, it doesn't mask that darn rooster at 3:30am. Sales and service by Atlanta Refrig. (tu)

Fujitsu's along with Mitsubishi are the top of the line units. Not sure that they are the most durable considering the dirty power WAPA
supplies. The parts (mother board ect.) Is way more than for a TGM. If I were to choose a Fujitsu I would install a electricity conditioner. Not just a surge potector, split voltage is also a big problem here. Once you add all that up including the higher price of a Fujitsu it bears consideration.

I bought a Frigidaire split system from Pricesmart to replace my overly expensive Mitsubishi system that always had issues and completely crapped out after 4 years.

The Frigidaire was 1/4 the price 4 years ago when I replaced the unit, never had a problem, ever.
You might want to call someone, however as there are now some AC units with computer chips (Samsung, is one) that become problematic due to frequent outages.

Here's contact info for my AC guy and you can ask him about brands and potential complications or ease of use. Good guy. He did the removal of the problem Mitsubishi system, installation on the new Frigidaire one, I have him clean the unit periodically and that about it for that system. He also does repairs and installation on other appliances and if he can't do it, he'll let you know up front and recommend someone who can.
Joseph Greaux
Champion AC
340-690-1672

You know you're WAPA bill will be going up with added AC usage!
Good luck.

In our harsh environment cheapest is probably best. I have split units from three different brands and they are all corroded. I figured 5 years is the most one can get from AC here.

Had the Mitsubishis going in the condo for the past 11 days. Conservatively cool, nice and dry. 311kWH for the whole condo. Very quiet inside and outside. The upstairs unit doesn't seem to be cooling as well as the downstairs though. May need a service call to check it out. On STX so can't help you with dealers.

In our harsh environment cheapest is probably best. I have split units from three different brands and they are all corroded. I figured 5 years is the most one can get from AC here.

(tu)
Fridgidare is a great unit, cheap too, the problem is you cant get parts for them for some reason. So unless your a/c person has a scrap part you have too change the whole unit. Usually they will run the 5 years till you need a new one. Unless WAPA ruins your motherboard, then its scrap. My brother has a heating and cooling business in the states and he says a minisplit should last 15-20 years. But not here. You could wash the coil everyday but the stress of Wapa will eventually kill it. Mine woke me up the other night making beeping sounds because the power cycled on and off 5 times in about 30 seconds. I'm sure if you where off grid many appliances would last much longer.

Hi STTSailor,

An important factor to consider is the energy efficiency of the unit (SEER). The higher its value the more efficient and the more you save in energy. For example a unit with SEER 15 consumes double a unit with SEER 30.

We are building new in STT and we are installing Trane mini-splits, which are now very high efficiency. The installer is Stone's A/C (340) 643-2779. I have not met him since he is dealing with the contractor. The system is not installed yet, since the house is still under construction.

I have a Mitsubishi split unit that is 14 years old and still going strong in my S/T rental unit. The head unit is outside and there has never been any corrosion. Last year, we bought another Mitsubishi split for our main house and we could not be happier with it.

We have 30 solar panels so the A/C just uses the extra electricity I would have given to WAPA anyway so no worries on the increased consumption when they run.

I am contemplating Daikin multi-split unit. I like the idea of single Box outside connected to three indoor boxes in the kitchen, dining and living room. .

All manufacturers advertise SER 22-23.

Mitsubishi is priced 20% more than the rest.

I have solar panels and give WAPA about $3000 worth of electricity annually. I would rather have a cooler indoors.

Let us know how it goes!

I have solar panels and give WAPA about $3000 worth of electricity annually. I would rather have a cooler indoors.

That's what motivated me to get the AC in the main house...its such a nice feeling, not having to worry about the WAPA bill while staying cool. Ahhhhhh....

Quick question, with the higher cost of electricity in STT/STJ than here in the states, do most leases and rentals require that the tenant pay for the utilities rather than the landlord?

Quick question, with the higher cost of electricity in STT/STJ than here in the states, do most leases and rentals require that the tenant pay for the utilities rather than the landlord?

Yes! And, as a former Realtor in the states, it was true there as well. Here in the VI, if utilities are included (rarely), it's usually advertised as such to include utilities.

Water is typically included as it is typically from cistern. Who pays for the pump power depends on the house/building and whether it's shared or not.

Water is typically included as it is typically from cistern. Who pays for the pump power depends on the house/building and whether it's shared or not.

Although I have a cistern, I have an internal water meter for my downstairs apartment. I haven't charged for water in the past, but, that doesn't mean I won't for future tenants.

I have 2 water meters that measure usage for upstairs and down - I write the figures down when I lease the downstairs so we can split the water cost accurately - Never had to buy water in 37 years though so no charge.
The pump electric is on my upstairs wapa meter - downstairs has its own wapa meter and hot water tank with an off/on switch - downstairs apt pays its own wapa bill.

Thanks rosesisland for your response, I'm a long-time real estate broker her in Michigan as well... any reliable resource for getting a rough range of monthly elec, water, gas expenses for properties in say the 1,000 - 1,750 sq foot range (obviously depends on lifestyle but am just trying to get a realistic range)?

Wolverine888, I sent you a pm. Check link above these messages.

Update on the project.
Got this done with actually minimal pain. It came down to choosing between Fujitsu and Midea. Both are 2T or 24000BTU.
The room is 24 by 24 so ideally should have gone with 36000 BtU.
Midea was cheaper by $400 and costs $1900 wholesale and was on island. Also has better SEER rating than Fujitsu.

Install by AC people went well but didn't include electric wiring. Between 3 workers it was done in 6 hours.

Costs:
Midea Aurora 2T 1900
Install Inc parts. 1200
Electric Inc parts. 400

I use this AC after 5 pm on these humid July nights so there is no direct sunshine on the house. The space opens up to the hallway and dining room so it is drafty. Within 15 minutes there is significant drop in temperature and humidity. Within 30 min I am reaching out for a blanket.

The unit is super quiet. I can't hear it running. I am pretty satisfied. The contractor was super nice, competent, on time on schedule. If anybody needs name PM me.