Question:
Does anybody know who makes a low-capacity split A/C with
an evaporator that can be recessed into the ceiling? Low capacity
means less than 10,000 btu. I would like one that can be fitted
between the ceiling and the upstairs floor, so it would have to
be thin (6-8 in.)
There may be a reason that these don't exist, but I would
like to know why if they don't. I would think they would be much
preferred, even tho harder to install, than the wall-mounted type.
Answer:
Those were nice units, *very* quiet. Unfortunately the evaporator
scroll fan's bearings could become noisy and were not available
separately from the fan. Even when the units were still in production,
the fan evaporator was $115 Canadian (for a $295 A/C). I can't inagine
how much they'd be now if needed (if even available).
The compressor is likely used on other models as well so that's not
really surprising to me. I doubt they designed on just for that model.
It's the specialty items (like the evaporator fan which I've never
seen used elsewhere) that may be just used on that model that may be
or become hard to get.
The compressor may not even be made by Panasonic and even if it is,
there's a good possibility it is made is a separate factory from the
air conditioner itself and may not have been affected by an earth
quake which ruined the A/C plant
