Fujitsu Mini Split Heat Pumps: Costs, Top Units, Pros & Cons, ROI

Fujitsu mini split heat pump systems are available in single zone and multi zone options. Installed cost starts at $4,800 for a small, single-zone unit. Prices can exceed $20,000 for a large, 5-zone system when main equipment, necessary accessories and labor are added in.

You can find cheaper prices on lesser brands. Fujitsu is considered one of the better brands by HVAC installers and repair technicians. It is a good brand to consider if you:

  • Plan to make a long-term investment in your current home.
  • Prefer professional installation to doing it yourself.

This is a comprehensive Fujitsu mini split heat pump buying guide with system options and comparisons, costs, pros and cons and the return on an investment from installing a Fujitsu mini split system.

Fujitsu General – That’s the company’s full name. But everyone simply calls it Fujitsu, so that is what we use (mostly) throughout this review.

Introducing Fujitsu Airstage

Fujitsu recently announced a global rebranding of its mini split HVAC systems – All Fujitsu mini split systems are now called Airstage mini split systems. The transition will take some time as wholesalers and retailers sell out of the old units, replacing them with Airstage systems.

You likely know that a mini split system consists of:

An outdoor unit or condensing unit is installed outside where it collects heat when in Heat mode and where it dumps heat in AC mode.

Average Cost To Install a Ductless AC (Mini-Split) Typical Range: $3,270 - $4,780
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Outdoor units, also called condensing units, come in various sizes to match the needed indoor carpet and number of zones from 1 to 5. That’s the maximum # of zones for Fujitsu – 5.

Indoor units come in a bunch of types – Wall mounted, floor mounted, universal (put it low or high), cassette, etc. They are all described, with pros, cons, and costs, below.

Remotes – While wired wall controls can be (must be in some cases) installed for your system, all systems also come with a wireless remote for each indoor unit.

WiFi / Smart Home – WiFi modules are either standard or optional in all systems and are used with the Fujitsu FGLair App. When a module is installed, the systems can be controlled with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

Details of what is available in Fujitsu indoor units are given below in the reviews of the single zone and multizone systems.

You’ll have the information you need to purchase a system online or discuss your Fujitsu mini split system choices with the contractor you select to install your system.

Which raises a good question…

Are Fujitsu mini split systems DIY?

No. By design, Fujitsu and most top brand manufacturers do not fill their units with sufficient refrigerant. This requires hiring a licensed technician with what’s known as a “refrigerant card.” It is the certification necessary to charge a system with refrigerant.

Fujitsu warranties also require installation by a licensed professional – a common industry practice.

Here is what the Fujitsu warranty states: “PROPER INSTALLATION – This Limited Warranty applies only to Systems that are installed by contractors who are licensed for HVAC installation under applicable local and state law (Licensed Contractor), and who install the System in accordance with: (a) all applicable building codes and permits; (b) FG [Fujitsu General] installation and operation instructions; and (c) good trade practices.”

Fujitsu Single Zone Mini Split Systems – Airstage Single Zone Systems

Fujitsu single zone systems have one outdoor unit and one indoor unit. That’s stating the obvious, perhaps. And there are 9 indoor unit styles.

What is unique to Fujitsu General is that the single zone systems are not mix and match. Each indoor unit type has its own outdoor unit series in various sizes.

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Andersen Windows: Costs, Pros & Cons of Different Models

The Andersen windows prices in this guide are obtained from receipts provided by homeowners who have had window contractors install this brand and from estimates for windows-only with DIY installation in mind.

source: Andersen Windows

All Andersen window series can be purchased for DIY installation.

A few Andersen 100 Series, 200 Series and 400 Series windows are available “off the shelf” or online from local home improvement stores, and those costs for individual windows are easily found.

Just keep in mind that the windows you find in stock at Home Depot, for example, give you few options for style, size, color, and accessories. As a result, they are on the low end of the cost spectrum compared with windows in those series with upgraded options.

The popular Renewal by Andersen replacement windows are the exception. Renewal windows are only sold by local dealers in a package that includes the windows plus installation.

OK, with that introduction out of the way, let’s look at Andersen windows prices for each series along with your choices for styles, finishes, colors, and options for each. Pros and cons for each series are discussed with the goal to help you decide which series is right for your home.

Andersen Window Prices

This Andersen windows price list includes the cost of the windows plus professional installation. See the Installation Cost section below for potential savings by installing them yourself.

Series Material Total Range Fixed Double-hung Casement
36″W x 48″H 36″W x 48″H 36″W x 48″H
100 Series All Fibrex $690 – $2,400 $965 – $1,250 N/A $1,365 – $2,100
200 Series Wood/Vinyl $535 – $2,900 $645 – $1,400 $760 – $1,800 $935 – $2,160
400 Series Wood/Vinyl $570 – $3,600 $770 – $1,485 $865 – $1,885 $975 – $2,215
Renewal Wood/Fibrex $825 – $4,250 $935 – $1,465 $1,090 – $1,890 $1,200 – $2,250
A Series Wood/Fibrex $940 – $5,000 $1,100 – $1,590 $1,215 – $2,130 $1,385 – $2,300
E Series Wood/Aluminum $985 – $5,600 $1,015 – $1,675 $1,135 – $2,345 $1,315 – $2,485

The smallest window sizes considered for this price list are 24” x 24”. The maximum window sizes considered are 48” x 72”. Windows are priced with dual pane, low-E glass. Enhanced low-E glass and triple pane glass are optional selections on most window series at an increased cost of $55 to $215 per window.

Pro Installation Cost

How much is pro installation? Or what can you save by DIY? $300 to $600 per window for most windows. Gliding and hinged doors cost $375 to $800 to install while bay and bow window assemblies range from $750 to $1,500 in labor costs.

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BiPV Solar Shingles Cost vs. PV Solar Panels on Traditional Rooftops

Wait, What’s A Solar Shingle?

The technical acronym: BiPV stands for Building Integrated Photovoltaics. Simply put, embedding solar cell technology into building materials. For our purposes, we stick to roofing materials, or what is known as the solar shingle and/or solar tile. Especially, since these are the type of BiPV products being designed for the residential roofing and solar market.

If needing a quick refresher on solar technology (the PV part of the equation), see our piece on solar panels. There we note that solar tech is moving in a direction to product “enough electricity to power not just a few appliances, but an entire home, including transportation.” Here, we’ll show you how.

Difference between the Solar Shingles and Panels

First key difference is size. Panels are, or can be, huge. This translates into more solar modules (and cells) being installed on the roof than a shingle can currently offer.

Which leads to the next difference, power. A solar shingle produces around 15 to 60 watts, while a crystalline PV panel, typically 18 sq. ft. generates about 250 watts.

High efficiency solar panels from companies like LG, Panasonic, and SunPower can generate up to 400 watts per panel. In general, this means that a residential PV solar panel system will produce more electricity than a BiPV shingle system.

Then there’s the elegance factor. Not only are panels big and powerful, they’re big and cumbersome. They are adhered to a roof after careful surveying to make sure the structure of the (whole) house can handle the weight. Usually rack mounted, so they stand out above the roof surface. Noticeably stand out.

Solar shingles are usually near flush with the existing roof structure and becoming more of an option to be the actual roof structure with a beauty that mimics traditional roofing.

At the time of this writing, solar shingles have a metallic finish that is distinguishable from the rest of your roof, but still less noticeable than panels.

The bottom-line difference is that currently panels are more efficient and cost effective than shingles.

While shingles are more aesthetically pleasing and gaining traction to be the primary way anyone would choose to do solar power generation on their own residence.

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