We bought this unit to replace our standard portable air conditioner. That one was 12,000 BTU, just like this split unit. That is where the similarities end, because whereas our previous air conditioner used 1200W constantly and couldn't get the temperature below 27°C on very hot days (this was with good window sealant, with insulation around the hose, and with the roller shutter down as far as possible), this split unit easily keeps the temperature in the same room at 23°C with the same heat outside, and consumes less than half the energy; I see around 500W of constant consumption on my monitor. The difference in efficiency is astounding.
At first, we thought this split unit cooled less effectively because the air coming out is significantly less cold than our previous unit, but because no negative pressure is created in the room (coolant is pumped out instead of air) and the required opening for the cooling tube is much smaller, the net cooling is actually much greater than a standard portable air conditioner. We have used this air conditioner a few times in temperatures above 30°C and it has no trouble at all keeping the room cool; I actually think we aren't even close to reaching its maximum capacity.
A bracket is included to mount it on the outside of the facade. This is sturdy enough and works well. However, the room we wanted to cool is on the ground floor and the windowsill is relatively low, so the outdoor unit was resting on its rear legs on the ground (it is meant to hang at an angle, not completely horizontally), but I was able to solve this by inserting something between the legs of the bracket and the wall, tilting it slightly further so that the legs hang just above the ground. You need a little bit of space under the unit to connect the condensate drain hose.
Regarding noise, we were also pleasantly surprised. Indoors, it is really quiet unless the fan is on maximum. The outdoor unit is audible, but even on the maximum cooling setting, it is much quieter than I had expected. To be honest, I was a bit worried about this because the neighbors' bedroom window is located directly opposite the outdoor unit at a distance of about 10m, but they say they don't hear anything at all. It is also not a buzzing sound, but rather a sort of hissing sound.
Now it is just a matter of waiting to see if the quality is good as well. We have only just started using it and it is a relatively unknown product, as no reviews could be found anywhere. That is also why I am writing this review. The reason we took the plunge anyway is because I did see that several other major electronics retailers were selling or have sold this unit. At first glance, the unit feels sturdy and there are no immediately obvious signs of low quality. So the quality seems fine, but of course, we will only know for sure after prolonged use.
All in all, I can certainly recommend this unit. If you are used to a standard portable air conditioner, the difference in efficiency compared to a split unit like this is incredible. Furthermore, I suspect that, especially with current energy prices, the fact that this unit consumes less than half the energy of our standard portable air conditioner means the extra cost will be recouped in a year or two, or three at most.
