Friedrich Mini Split Buying Guide Posted on July 10, 2023 Mini splits are an excellent choice for cooling, being more efficient and flexible than traditional ducted central air conditioning systems. And when it comes to mini splits, one of the biggest names in the industry is Friedrich. In this guide, learn all about the Friedrich brand, and what their lineup of ductless mini splits can offer. About Friedrich San Antonio, TX-based Friedrich is one of the premiere brands of air conditioners, offering room air conditioners and mini splits for residential and commercial uses. With a long history dating all the way back to 1883, it started as handcrafted furniture maker, before pivoting to the new industry of mechanical refrigeration. Friedrich’s earliest AC products were designed for food preservation, and by 1950, the brand was well established as a manufacturer of commercial refrigeration equipment. In 1952, Friedrich entered the relatively new field of air conditioning with its first window AC unit. Today, Friedrich continues its storied expertise in air conditioning by providing a wide variety of room air conditioners, mini splits and indoor air quality appliances. Friedrich Mini Splits As one of the leading names in the field of air conditioning, Friedrich’s ductless mini splits are packed full of the latest features. These include: Inverter technology for better energy efficiency, utility savings and quieter operation High SEER ratings with EnergyStar certification Built-in WiFi to allow control from anywhere with an Internet connection Smart home integration via the FriedrichGo app Amazon Alexa and Google Home support An innovative design that makes mini splits much easier to service, clean and maintain compared to traditional mini splits Friedrich Mini Split Lineup Friedrich’s mini splits consist of the Floating Air series, which is the company’s line of highly efficient mini splits using the latest technology for energy efficiency, smart connectivity, and easier maintenance. The Floating Air lineup comes in three categories: Floating Air Select – entry-level single-zone mini splits that deliver high value Floating Air Pro – covers different mini split models with extended operating range Floating Air Premier – top-line mini splits with the highest efficiency ratings To make the selection process easier for you, we break down each category and discuss their differences below. Friedrich Floating Air Select The Floating Air Select Line is Friedrich’s entry level ductless mini splits. These consist of single-zone wall-mounted units with moderate pricing. But don’t let the entry-level label fool you: Floating Air Select units provide good efficiency of up to 18.0 SEER, giving them exceptional value. They also offer heating with outside temperatures as low as -4°F. One notable feature is its support for Friedrich’s FreshAire® IAQ, a line of indoor air quality accessories designed to make indoor air safer. Floating Air Select mini splits are compatible with the full range FreshAire IAQ accessories, including ultraviolet light kits and air purification modules. Since Friedrich also produces air quality products apart from air conditioners, it leveraged this expertise by extending its focus on good air quality even for the entry-level Floating Air Select line. Featured Floating Air Select model: Friedrich FSHW121C 12000 BTU Floating Air Select Series Single Zone Mini Split – Heat and Cool – 115V Designed for a balance of performance and cost efficiency, this 12,000 BTU heat pump system boasts 18.0 SEER2 and 10.2 EER2 ratings, making it ideal for efficiently heating and cooling spaces up to 600 sq. ft. It uses Friedrich’s proven Inverter technology, which dynamically adjusts the compressor speed. The unit also uses R32 refrigerant, which is highly efficient and complies with the latest EPA standards and has a significantly lower Global Warming Potential than older HFC-based refrigerants. Other features include built-in WiFi, access to the Friedrich ComfortPro App for wireless control, as well as support for Google Assistant and Alexa voice commands. It also has low ambient cooling and heating capabilities, making it ideal for all-year-round comfort. Price: $1,199.00 Friedrich FSHW121C 12000 BTU 18.0 SEER2 Floating Air Select Series Single Zone Mini Split - Heat and Cool - Built-In WiFi - 115V - R32 Refrigerant Friedrich FSHW121C 12,000 BTU single zone mini split system includes both the FAHSW12A1C wall unit and the FSHSR12B1C outdoor compressor. In... View Product Friedrich Floating Air Pro The Floating Air Pro is Friedrich’s intermediate range of ductless mini splits. Compared to the Select line, the Pro line covers both single-zone and multi-zone mini splits. They are also available in different installation models, including wall-mounted, ceiling cassette, and concealed ducted units. Features of the Floating Air Pro line include: Inverter technology Inverters enable the mini split compressor to adjust its speed to meet the set temperature. Friedrich’s Precision Inverter technology controls the compressor as well as the outdoor and indoor fan speeds to maintain room temperature as needed. This eliminates the constant compressor start-ups/shutdowns in conventional ACs. The result is highly improved efficiency, enabling Floating Air Pro models to achieve up to 22 SEER ratings. Other advantages include much quieter operation and longer operational life. FastPro construction for easier maintenance Conventional mini splits put the indoor condenser coils deep inside the unit. This makes it difficult and time consuming to clean or service. Friedrich designed the Floating Air Pro line to be much easier to service with its unique Fastpro design. The mini splits are specifically built so that the coils, blowers and terminal blocks are easier to access. This means less time needed by HVAC technicians during servicing. Compared to standard ductless wall-mounted mini splits, the Floating Air Pro mini splits are: 40% easier to install 45% faster to clean 50% faster to service Smart home integration Floating Air Pro mini splits come with built-in WiFi modules. This allows them to be controlled with a smartphone or tablet from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection. The FriedrichGo app also allows scheduling, routines, and integrations with other smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Home Assistant. Friedrich Floating Air Premier The Floating Air Premier line is Friedrich’s premium range of ductless mini splits. Models in the line have the highest energy efficiency, going up to 28 SEER, with extended operational ranges for cooling and heating. Despite their highest initial cost, Floating Air Premier mini splits boast the highest energy efficiencies and lowest operating cost over the life of the unit. Floating Air Premier models possess all the features of the lower Select and Pro lines. In addition they boast the following: Extreme climate ratings Floating Air Premier mini splits are specifically built for extreme climate conditions. They boast low ambient operation down to 0°F in cooling mode, and down to -13°F in heating mode. For cold regions, Premier models come with low temperature compressor startup protection. DiamonBlue Corrosion Protection Floating Air Premier units are also designed for harsh environments. This is achieved by Friedrich’s patented DiamonBlue corrosion protection, where all metallic coil surfaces are treated with an ElectroFin 5-stage, immersion e-coat process. The result is greater endurance and protection in saltwater, coastal or corrosive environments Featured Floating Air Pro model: Friedrich FPHW093D 9000 BTU Floating Air Pro Series Single Zone Mini Split with Built-In WiFi – Heat and Cool – Energy Star Friedrich’s Floating Air Pro series is designed for high energy efficiency with impressive 25.0 SEER2 and 13.65 EER ratings. This unit offers 9,000 BTUs, capable of heating and cooling spaces up to 450 sq. ft. These exceptional ratings are achieved through inverter technology that improves efficiency while reducing energy costs, in addition to a R454B refrigerant that is more efficient and eco-friendly than older HFC refrigerants. The unit also features FastPro technology, making installation and maintenance a breeze. This unit is Cold Climate Energy Star Rated and has DiamonBlue Advanced Corrosion Protection, making it ideal for those living in colder climates or coastal regions. Price: $1,349.00 Friedrich FPHW093D 9000 BTU 25.0 SEER2 Floating Air Pro Series Single Zone Mini Split - Heat and Cool - Built-In WiFi - 230V - R454B Refrigerant Friedrich FPHW093D 9,000 BTU single zone mini split system includes both the FAHFW09A3D wall unit and the FPHSR09A3D outdoor compressor.&nbs... View Product Friedrich Mini Splits at Total Home Supply At Total Home Supply, we carry a wide range of Friedrich ducted mini splits covering the entire Floating Air family. We also carry critical parts like thermostats, mini split components, and replacement parts. Check out our Friedrich mini split lineup today and upgrade your home with one of the preeminent brands in the mini split industry! Mickey Luongo Mickey is the resident heating and air conditioning expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry.
