Mitsubishi Air Conditioners: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

This Mitsubishi air conditioners guide includes information that will assist you in researching a ductless AC system for your home or commercial space. Performance and technical specs are included for comparing Mitsubishi ductless air conditioner models to one another and to other top brands. According to our research, we have also reviewed ductless Mitsubishi heat pump systems and the recently released ducted Mitsubishi AC and heat pump systems.

Mitsubishi Electric, founded in 1921 in Japan, is known globally as an innovative producer of technology, including HVAC equipment. The company has been one of the pioneers in ductless heating and cooling, with its headquarters in Tokyo and offices in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Mitsubishi Air Conditioners Brand Overview

Mitsubishi remains the world leader in ductless systems, often called mini-split systems because both the outdoor condensing units and indoor air handlers are smaller than those of standard ducted split system components.

The AC-only systems include an outdoor condensing unit and one indoor unit installed on the floor, wall, or ceiling. Each indoor unit cools a single room or zone. Refrigerant is carried from the condensing unit to the indoor unit, where it captures heat and carries it outside, dispersing it through a radiator-type coil and effectively cooling the air indoors.

Mitsubishi AC Technical Specifications

Outdoor Units (Condensing Units)

• 13 Mitsubishi condensing units are manufactured with capacity ranging from 9,000 BTU to 42,000 BTU.
• Model MUY-GL09NA-U1 is the top pick for efficiency at 24.6 SEER but is the smallest at 9,000 BTU, suitable for one small room such as a bedroom.
• Efficiency drops with size, with the Mitsubishi PUY-A42NHA6 at 42,000 BTU and 14.4 SEER efficiency.
• Sound level of outdoor units ranges from 48 to 55 decibels.

Indoor Units

• Unlike ducted split systems, split system outdoor units support up to four indoor units, and the total BTU capacity of indoor units must match the capacity of the outdoor unit.
• Floor-mounted units are made in four sizes from 9,000 BTU to 18,000 BTU, all including 5-speed fans for comfortable cooling.
• More than 40 wall-mounted indoor units are available, ranging from 9,000 BTU to 34,200 BTU, in white, black, and silver colors.
• Wall-mounted units have fan speeds ranging from 3-speed to 5-speed and sound levels as low as 19 decibels on smaller units and up to 40 decibels on larger units.
• MSY series indoor units are cooling-only, while PKA and MSZ series accommodate both Mitsubishi air conditioners and heat pumps.
• Ceiling-cassette indoor units install in the ceiling, ideal for drop-ceiling locations and low-profile use, with capacities from 8,400 BTU to 42,000 BTU.

Pros and Cons of Mitsubishi Air Conditioners

Pros

• Considered among the most durable and reliable ductless units available
• Excellent efficiency of smaller units, up to 24.5 SEER
• No ductwork loss of cooled air
• Ideal for retrofitting areas where installing ductwork isn't practical
• Easier and less costly to install than ducted systems
• Large variety of indoor units for style options and installation flexibility
• Easy to find parts and service due to popularity

Cons

• Not suitable for locations that require heat (see Mitsubishi heat pump reviews for AC/heating systems)
• Mid-size and large-capacity units offer mediocre SEER efficiency compared to the best standard split system air conditioners
• Indoor units with fans in each room or zone may produce more noise in the immediate area than a standard split system

Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Mitsubishi AC

The first issue to consider is whether you need AC only or both AC and heating. Mitsubishi air conditioners are for installation in very warm climates, summer homes where heating isn't necessary, or locations without AC or where the existing air conditioning isn't adequate.

If you already have ductwork, installing a conventional split system is probably more cost-effective, especially for large homes, as the largest Mitsubishi air conditioner is 42,000 BTU, only enough cooling capacity for a home of approximately 2,000 square feet in a warm climate.

Conclusion

Ductless systems are growing in popularity due to their flexible installation options, competitive cost, and good energy efficiency. If you or your family and friends are considering going ductless, Mitsubishi air conditioners should be one of the options to consider.