Daiken mini split

Go to Quality Electric and get the Mitsubishi Inverter mini splits. Parts are much easier to get. They have a higher seer rating. It is not that Daiken isen't good, but OTL has foscused on the STT market, and can't privide the needed services here on STX.

Bruno is correct. OTL used to be fine but they lost their best technicians and plumbers when they focused on St. Thomas. We used to be their customers.

Does anyone have any feedback on the company on STX called OTL

Yes. Avoid them.

I heard (grapevine so who knows) that OTL on STX is closed and the techs went to work for someone else.

OTL is not closing on STX, they are moving out of their location next to No Bones.
I am a customer with Daiken splits at work and at home.

I purchased an expensive Mitsubishi A/C split unit for my bedroom that was a pain in the butt and always had to be recharged or had problems (a lemon).Finally got fed up with having to call the repair person every yr. and evrytime it had a problem when I wanted/needed
to use it (do not need it Nov. - May) I bought a much less expensive Frigidaire unit from Price-smart here in STT, found a great appliance person to remove the original unit, install new one and haven't had a problem since. It cools the room very quickly and works great. This was 2yrs ago and it works so much better than the Mitsubishi ever did.

Thanks, everyone! Not excited about Mitsubishi though, Bruno. A friend of mine had one and had NOTHING but trouble, and I have one in my apartment in STT and it is as loud as a freight train!

I have experience with Daikin but I do know the parts can be a nightmare to get. After doing some research online last night, it looks like Fujitsu and LG have units that have good ratings and reviews. ]]

Any other suggestions of places/contractors and/or unit brands?? Much appreciated!

OTL is buying the old water company building next to the Kingshill Post Office. They are in the process of moving.

Could someone give a current recommendation for installation of a small spilt airconditioning system on STX, and followup repair/maintenance service?

We are not AC fans and don't want huge WAPA bills, but do want one or two of our bedrooms to be equipped as a "refuge" during superhot spells.

I just had an exceptionally informative conversation with OTL's administrator. She was terrific, and patient with questions from this consumer unfamiliar with split AC.

Then I saw this thread, while searching for any relevant recent discussions or advice. Can a recent OTL customer say whether OTL now deserves a better reputation than in this year old discussion? And/or alternative installers?

I first heard of OTL via this forum in 2007 when apparently OTL's Texas HVAC technician was providing excellent service.

Much thanks for any advice. PM is preferable.

I THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING ON THIS board about otl? but i could be mistaken. good info or bad info? cant remember

3 yrs. later, the split unit I purchased from PriceSmart (Frigidaire) is still going stong and working perfectly. I have never had to have it serviced or recharged

The Mitsubishi unit I had never worked properly from installation on, was a nightmare with contstant repairs and recharging and was 3x's as expensive. Just get the right size for your room, don't pay lots for something and waste your money. The Mitshushi dealer that installed mine said they were only good for 7 years when I got sick of the constant repairs and decided it needed to be replaced when that system kept giving me problems. Unfortunately, he didn't want to admit the unit he sold me was a lemon or that they screwed something up during the installation. I know I shall never own that brand again nor deal with that company. Been there, done that!

Thanks for your responses so far. I have just begun shopping so more advice is still welcome, including brands Medea and Sea Breeze, .

Yes, Speee1dy, this very thread is an OTL discussion, which gave bad reports in June 2013 due to changes at OTL. HOWEVER, also, on this forum in 2007, OTL got a rave review referring to a Texan HVAC tech who installed his system (apparently gone or redispatched to STT?).

Yesterday (before finding these 2013 bad reviews), I had an exceptionally good initial conversation with Tina, the administrator? at OTL. So naturally I was hoping the OTL reputation for installation/service turned back to good, with better newer techs for STX after OTL moved a year ago next to NO Bones.

Thank you Alanna33 for warnings about Mitshubishi, as well as two other 2013 warnings. OTL installs Medea and Sea Breeze, which no one commented on yet in this forum. OTL does install Daikin which someone a year ago said is hard to get parts for.

PS - just as I was finishing this post, Tina from OTL called back just as she promised, with an estimate for the electrical portion of an split AC install (which OTL doesn't do, although they can recommend an electrician) ... AND the name of Centerline Corp as a place to inquire whether I can get window inserts to replace existing screens in the bedroom to be AC'd. I am hoping for replacement inserts contain BOTH screen and plastic/glass (like self-storing screen windows stateside), since we don't want to use the AC much.

That's good service from Tina at OTL, IMO.
But the installers ....?
🙁

I love my SeaBreeze Mini Split system. The good folks at Island Mechanical installed and service it. Very happy.

OTL is replacing a compressor in a 7 year old Daiken AC multi-split unit at my office as I type.
They service what they sell.

Too bad they don't install what they sell as well as service!

Mini split systems are very susceptible to power surges. You need to do all you can to protect them.They work well otherwise.

Northside STT - my area prone to lots of outages yet the A/C unit I have performs perfectly tho I do have surge protector for my generator which kicks in when power goes out and does not go off until WA{A power back on and stabilized.

Part of that equation (a big part) is your choice of installer.

Any brand, no matter how good, can be a problem if your installer isn't professional and competent. Equipment of all types can occasionally have a 'lemon' come through, not just A/C but vehicles, electronic equipment, etc.. You could surf the 'net and check nationally for a good indicator of how often bad equipment comes on average. Even the best companies get hits occasionally but it shouldn't be the norm.

There are some installers that are just lucky since mini-splits are pretty easy to put in, and depend on placing blame on the manufacturer (or WAPA) when something goes wrong, rather than admit they didn't use the proper equipment or skipped a step/cut a corner. I know the local Mitsubishi Electric distributor started requiring surge protection a couple of years ago and that decreased their callback rate considerably... not that there aren't other issues like brown-outs and critters to deal with, not to mention our salty environment isn't kind in the least.

OTL did lose a couple of excellent installers some time ago so I don't know who they have on hand nowadays. A company that was exemplary 3 years ago might not be so now, and vice versa. Try to find out the most current information you can find.. sounds like you're doing your due diligence as best as you can. Kudos... 8)

I've used OTL for the past seven years and have never had a complaint. Prompt and courteous whenever I needed them. My mini split for the bedroom is very efficient. I will continue to stick with them and give them a thumbs up as well.

We are property managers of a vacation villa. If we need a repair or a new mini split unit we call Caribbean cooling co.
Very nice customer service.

Thank you all so much for your advice and reviews and suggestions. Each has been very helpful.