Seeking Feedback: Midea vs. Rinnai Multi-Split AC Systems

BobL on 13/02/2025 - 00:58

Hi everyone,

I recently received quotes for installing a multi-head split AC system and I'm feeling a bit torn between Midea and Rinnai. I would really appreciate any insights or experiences from those who have used either brand.

Here’s the quote I got for Midea (Chinese brand):

Midea MULMI0618B Multi Split Reverse Cycle Outdoor (Wall Mounted)
18kW cooling and 20.5kW heating capacity
External wall unit installation only
Midea Venus Premium Indoor Heads:
1 * MFAG70-N Venus IDU wall-mounted (7.0kW cooling and 7.5kW heating capacity) – for the main living area
2 * MFAG36-N Venus IDU wall-mounted (3.55kW cooling and 3.8kW heating capacity)
3 * MFAG26-N Venus IDU wall-mounted (2.6kW cooling and 2.7kW heating capacity)
Price: $3500

Here’s the quote I got for Rinnai(Japanese brand):

Rinnai MON6H18B Multi split reverse cycle outdoor unit
cooling Capacity 17.5kW cool and 20.00 heat
Rinnai HIN Range Premium Indoor Heads:
1 * HINRP78MB IDU wall mounted 7.8 cool and 8.3 heat
capacity
2 * HINRP35MB IDU wall mounted 3.5 cool and 4.0 heat
capacity
3 * HINRP26MBIDU wall mounted 2.6 cool and 2.7 heat
capacity

From what I’ve heard, Midea has some delays when it comes to repairs or replacements in case of defects, which is a bit concerning. On the other hand, I believe Rinnai (a Japanese brand) is known for better customer service and faster response times for any issues.

Has anyone used either of these brands for a multi-split system? Any thoughts on the long-term reliability of Midea compared to Rinnai? Would you recommend one over the other?

Looking forward to your advice and feedback! 🙏

Electrical & Electronics Air Conditioner

Comments

  • AustriaBargain on 13/02/2025 - 03:19

    If you’re on a tight budget and are okay with potential repair delays, Midea offers great value. However, if you want peace of mind, reliability, and better long-term service, Rinnai is the better investment.

    Would you consider getting a quote for a Daikin or Mitsubishi as well? They tend to be the top-tier options for multi-head split systems.

    • BobL on 13/02/2025 - 10:10

      Thanks AustriaBargain for the feedback. I got the quotation for Daikin and Mitsubishi and both where above the budget. They were quoted almost to 9000$ for 5 units.

  • jjjaar on 13/02/2025 - 07:52

    What was the price for the Rinnai?

    Consider ongoing costs too.

    Just looking at the energy efficiency of the 2.6kw units, the Midea has a EER/COP of 4.41/4.5 vs the Rinnai which is 4.98/5.273.

    What this means is in order to generate the 2.6kw cool output, the Midea will use on average (to maintain temps, not at start up) 0.59kw (2.6/4.41) but the Rinnai will use 0.52kw. And for the 2.7kw heat output, Midea will use 0.6kw, but the Rinnai will use 0.51kw. So for the heat output, the Rinnai is noticeably more efficient.

    So to run them in winter in heat mode for 12 hours a day for 3 months/90 days, the Midea will use approx 648kWh (7.2kWh per day), and the Rinnai 550.8kWh (6.12kWh per day).

    Assuming a rate of 30c/kWh, that equates to $194.4 for the Midea and $165.24 for the Rinnai (or multiply those amounts by your electricity rate to see how much the difference is.)

    Keep in mind, that’s just one unit for 90 days in heat. I haven’t gone into cool mode or the larger units. And smaller units are generally more efficient than larger, so have a look at the others as well. Also the way that multi heads operate v single splits will have some impact on the operations when multiple units are on.

    • BobL on 13/02/2025 - 10:14

      Thank you so much for providing such a detailed breakdown of the energy costs and efficiency! I really appreciate the effort in explaining how the Rinnai and Midea compare. The price quotation I received for the Rinnai is $3800, which definitely helps me weigh the initial investment alongside the ongoing savings in energy costs. Thanks again for all the helpful information!

    • BobL on 13/02/2025 - 22:05

      @jjjaar The outdoor unit for Rinnai for cooling is 17.5 KW and heating is 20KW. However when we sum the total indoor unit for cooling is 22.6 and for heating is 24.4KW. So there is difference of 5.1KW and 4.4K for cooling and heating respectively. For Midea, the difference is 3.9 and 2.8KW for cooling and heating. Could there be any issue due to this high differences between Outdoor unit capacity and indoor unit capacity. Will it impact the Outdoor unit? Looking forward to your advice :)

      • jjjaar on 14/02/2025 - 15:57

        Yes it will, but you might not realise. Basically if they are all on and are using max power (you have them on 16° full fan on a 35°+ day), then they will ramp down their power consumption, and therefore their output (both temperature and fan speed), as needed to stay within the outside units capacity.

        But if you use them properly, that is ~24° and auto fan, then they probably wont ever ALL use full power at the same time, as they’ll each be cycling on and off anyway to maintain 24, rather than be working overtime to get to 16.

        If you set them like that, then they still might use full power at all time - likely at startup. In which case, they’ll just ramp down a little at the start, or you can just stagger the start up by 5-10 mins each.

        I think it was Daikin who have this information in their datasheets, they basically say “if you have a 2kw, 3kw, 7kw, and you run the 2 and 7, they will at max use this much power each”. But it’s been over a year since I saw that so doubt I’d be able to find it again.

        Edit: ok, I was wrong! Here it is - the back end “capacity tables”. Not sure if any other brand provides this level of detail, but if you’re a data person, it might help explain how they ramp down a bit better than I did above https://www.daikin.com.au/sites/default/files/brochures/file…

        • BobL on 15/02/2025 - 14:31

          Thanks @jjjaar for providing more insights. Do you know any other disadvantage and advantage of Midea and Rinnai apart from energy efficient. I heard for Midea, they are taking to repair to claim warranty and for Rinnai, there is noise issues.

    • nek on 22/02/2025 - 16:34

      @jjjaar Please clarify why you are using the 2.6 KW units where OP stated 18KW and 17.5 KW multi-split ODU. Further where did you get the EER/COP from (single split units rather than multi split)? The VEU registry states AEER/ACOP for Midea 3.481/4.043 Rinnai 3.449/3.865

      • jjjaar on 22/02/2025 - 21:43

        I used the indoor head size as per the information in the OP for the third unit.

  • 777 on 13/02/2025 - 08:46
    +1

    I've Rinnai split in one of our bedrooms, which I bought from TGG.
    The first reaction from the installer was why Rinnai isn't as reliable as Mitsubishi and other Japanese brands.

    3-4 years later, the Aircon is playing up both indoor and outdoor units make unusually loud noises.

    With VEEC, you can get Midea installed for $899/head, there are plenty of installers. What I have been advised that they have 5+ year warranty. If it rental -I'll go for this.

    If you can afford it and it is your PPR, I'll stick to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

    • BobL on 13/02/2025 - 11:03

      Thanks for the information 777.

      • BobL on 13/02/2025 - 11:06

        Where you able to get it fixed with Rinnai since it have 7 yrs warranty? Was it covered in warranty?

        • 777 on 19/02/2025 - 20:49

          good point, should find the receipt

  • boomramada on 13/02/2025 - 10:53

    Neither, I would go for Mitsubishi / LG / ActronAir been using them for years without any issues even with the service calls.

    • BobL on 13/02/2025 - 11:02

      Thanks boomramada, I got the quotes for them and they were bit expensive and beyond my budget. And the warranty for Mitsubishi is 5 yrs, where as for Rinnai and Midea it is 7 years

      • 7ekn00 on 13/02/2025 - 13:22
        +1

        Warranty means squat, the service guys will argue "motherboard damage from spiders / ant / roaches" which aren't covered :/

        At least with a Mitsubishi unit the electronic boards are resin coated (which gives some protection from crawlies), I doubt the Midea and Rinnai are!

        • BobL on 13/02/2025 - 14:29

          Yes, even I heard boards aren't resin coated.

      • JimB on 13/02/2025 - 13:44

        Rinnai is 5 years and Midea is 7 years.

    • xuqi on 13/02/2025 - 13:49
      +2

      My old workplace had no end of grief with LG units. Not so much their operation, but when a controller board failed it took weeks to get a replacement….

    • DoctorCalculon on 13/02/2025 - 22:58
      +1

      I would absolutely avoid LG as their warranty process is simply disgraceful to say the least.

      Stick with MHI / ME / Daikin.

  • JimB on 13/02/2025 - 13:40
    +1

    If you're looking at Midea and Rinnai, I'd also check out Hisense

    I haven't compared the EER/COP but Hisense also comes with a 7 year warranty for the extra peace of mind.

    FYI, I have a Chinese made Kelvinator and Sharp split system. I'm sure they are rebadged Chinese brand air conds. Both over 10 years old. I'm sure the tenants have never cleaned it and gives them a flogging. Haven't heard any complaints from them.

    Good installation is as important as the unit themselves.

    • Brick50 on 13/02/2025 - 22:30

      Hisense may be OK for ducted system but they don't make a good multi split for VEU rebate

      • JimB on 14/02/2025 - 10:44

        OK. Can you expand please.

        They don't make good multi splits?

        Or the VEU rebate doesn't cover their multi splits?

        • Brick50 on 14/02/2025 - 17:48
          +1

          Basically for a good rebate your option is Midea/Rinnai 18kw, Smart User VRF, Midea 13.5kw or Mitsubishi 12kw

          Rebates paid on size of unit, Panasonic? Is 10kw so smaller rebate. Hisense don’t make a large multi split unit

          Small rebate = high price
          Which is why a 4/5 head 18kw Midea system will be cheaper than a 3 head 13.5kw Midea system

          Look up approved products list, filter by multi split then KW of units and it will all make sense

  • BobL on 13/02/2025 - 14:31
    +1

    Thanks JimB, I am not getting much quote for Hisense, could be due to rebate.

    • RJ2020 on 21/02/2025 - 13:16

      Hi ,
      Can you confirm you have been quoted for 6 units and if you dont mind the company name.

      I am also evaluating similar quotes and I am getting higher for 6 unit Rinai with
      Composition offered: 8KW(Living room) , 3.5KWx 2 (Master Bedroom + Lounge), 2.6x 3(smaller rooms)

      Spoke to multiple sales reps, all are pushing for Rinnai it was Midea when I started looking.

      regards,
      RJ

      • nek on 22/02/2025 - 17:22

        @RJ2020, Can you please share quoted prices for your 6 units as mine varied from 6.5k to 10k for 18 kW ODU and 1x 7KW, 5 x 2.6kW IDUs for a 2 storey house. There appears to be a reluctance by sales rep to offer diversity factor of more than 1, so I would be interested in your company that offered a diversity factor of 1.27. Can you please PM the company? Thanks

  • JIMB0 on 13/02/2025 - 16:26

    Couldn't you get seperate units instead of a multihead incase it craps itself?

    • JimB on 13/02/2025 - 18:25

      I see the advantage of both.

      I’ve also seen a large house that has 10, yes 10, smallish external units on the 1 floor roof and wall.

  • Brick50 on 13/02/2025 - 22:29

    As I mentioned to you already the Rinnai is just a rebadged Midea multi split…

    Check out this discussion on MEEH if you don't trust me!
    https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15NJyDXYwa/

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