Ok I have a big update.
Ordered the following from Ingrams:
• (X) Mr Cool 18k dual zone gen 4
- Have 25 available (expect a ton within next week). New condensers: $1333
- Grade A (-$149): $1184 (minimal damage, can't really see) (50 available)
- Grade B (-$286): $1047 (minimal damage but somewhat visible) (34 available)
https://iwae.com/shop/18k-btu-21-seer-m ... 22045.html
• (X) 2 x 9k inside units
• (X) 1 x 16' lineset
• (X) 1 x 25' lineset
• (X) Various elbows (see diagram on forum) and additional straight pieces
- 3 x Standard 12' kit
• (X) Disconnect
• (X) Whip
Total: $3,139.49 with a new condenser
ORDERED 7/3/23: Total with Grade A scratch & dent condenser: $2,990.49
Total with Grade B scratch & dent condenser: $2,853.49
Discount included: $50
After discussing with the lady on the phone I went with a Grade A scratch & dent. It saves $149 and claims you pretty much can't see the blemish. This tells me some picky person returned it. Furthermore, my logic is I have a reasonable chance of having my own slightly imperfect unit as of brand new, and I would NOT go through the hassle of sending it back over a minor blemish, so I'll just take the discount. Of course, in theory, a scratch & dent unit (one that was customer rejected) would have additional shipping time and thus could technically sustain more damage (i.e. a Grade A could actually get worse as it is exposed to more handling). I decided Grade B (which is also probably fine) was slightly more risky (considering that my original condenser in the great room did fail after a year and was a scratch & dent).
Ordered from Amazon:
- DiversiTech QSMS1801 18" mini-split stand. The width of the adjustable arms falls 0.1" short on paper but I am taking a leap that I can make this work.
- 50 feet of 10/2 cable. I decided to splurge and go with 10 ga for less cable losses. The manual said 12 min and 10 ideal. This was $79 on Amazon but Home Depot for the exact same thing is $139. How about that?
Total from Amazon OTD: $403.80 (the stand is expensive)
Ordered from Home Depot:
- 25A 240V breaker. I could have done a 20A but with 10ga I may as well run the max specified in the manual which is 25A. Home Depot does not stock the 25A in the store so I just ordered it. This was CHEAPER than Amazon this time.
Total for Home Depot: $20.19
Total cost for what I have ordered so far: $3,414.75
I will still have some misc costs mostly associated with finalizing the stand (basically how I choose to level the ground) as well as the final gutter design. These costs will be relatively minimal.
Looks like there is a 30% federal tax credit against the whole project that I MAY be able to claim (depends on how picky they are with the DIY nature of this job), plus a RI Energy discount of $225. The thing I will need to remember is I think the first one is claimed through taxes when I do my 2023 taxes. The utility one is claimed basically immediately, or within 90 days. I blew this on my first unit so I will try not to repeat that mistake. That would theoretically bring the project cost down to $2,165.33, a savings of $1,249.42 which is significant. We'll see how it goes.