Della Optima TP Series Mini-Split AC Review: Cheap, Smart, and (Mostly) Reliable

Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner The popularity has increased dramatically in recent years. One study now estimates their domestic market share at more than 40 percent compared to large-scale HVAC units – and smaller systems are even more popular in Asia and Europe than in the US.

Mini-splits make a compelling climate control solution for several reasons. They’re much smaller and easier to install than HVAC systems, they’re much less expensive, and they’re quieter. Many are sold in big-box stores and online, and enterprising DIYers can certainly install it without professional help, provided they have the necessary electrical connections. (Some mini-splits operate on 115 volts, but others require 220-volt wiring, which will likely mean calling an electrician.) They’re also equipped with smart features like mobile app support, tricks you can’t do on HVAC units without a fancy thermostat.

Photograph: Chris Null

bringing in professionals

Della invited me to test its Optima 048-TP-12K1V-23S-IN mini-split, which offers 12,000 BTU of cooling and 12,400 BTU of heating capacity. Maximum power consumption from a 115-volt circuit is 960 watts, and it’s rated to cover 550 square feet, or a small room. The manufacturer offered to cover the cost of professional installation, and I was eager for professional installation assistance. A recent model mini-split was installed in my house when we bought the place, apparently picked up at Costco and installed by the owners themselves. According to the professionals who removed it, the unit broke down within two years of our arrival, likely due to installation mistakes.

Like most mini-splits, Della’s product came in three boxes, one for each primary component: the indoor air handler (the part you see on the inside wall), the compressor (the larger component that stays outside and circulates the refrigerant), and the conduit that connects the two (including the refrigerant lines, drain lines, and electrical wiring). Indoors, the air handler is mounted on a metal bracket which is also included. A template in the box instructs installers where to attach the brackets to the wall and where to drill drain holes.

While the Della Optima costs only $921 (with coupon on Amazon), professional installation will cost you significantly more than the hardware. A local provider here in Austin quoted $3,600 for the job.

On the day of installation, a crew of two spent about five hours removing the old mini-split and installing the new one, a process that was largely unremarkable except for the need to drill a new drain hole, as the old unit’s hole was in a slightly different location.