If you're looking at long term reliability, look at a Trane.

I am a home inspector, I inspect home predominantly in The Villages.

90% at least are Carrier. I cannot recall ever seeing a Mitsubishi main heat pump. Plenty of mini-splits are Mitsi, and they seem to be quite reliable.

When I run across a Trane? It's old, effective and still working like a champ. I'm not saying Carrier are bad, I'm saying that some homes build in the 90s and early 2000s are still using the original Tranes. I have never seen a carrier over 20 years old and still functioning.

Interesting thread, here's a good read on the tohttps://www.hvac.com/expert-advice/the-truth-about-higher-rated-seer-cooling-systems/pic:

I believe all manufacturers are required to use new type of refrigerants starting January 1, 2025. The refrigerants currently used will no longer be available in new units manufactured after that date.

I would be concerned that as the current type of refrigerant will increase in price as need for it dwindles. In a few years it will likely become very expensive to charge your fairly new system manufactured in 2024 or before.

I am holding off until 2025 to replace my system for this very reason. I will insure that my new unit will operate with the newest refrigerant.

Part of your conclusion may be attributable to the fact that the builder installed Trane units in the older houses, and then switched to Carrier within the past 20 years or so. Because 90 percent of the houses have a Carrier, I would be more likely to buy a Carrier because I know that it can be repaired quickly and the parts will be available.

You are correct. Heat pumps are much more efficient than standard AC. There are air to air heat pumps, and ground source heat pumps (also known as geothermal). Our prior home n the Midwest had a geothermal heating/cooling system, and it was fantastic. But then, with 4 acres of property, we had the room for the 1200 feet of tubing buried to a depth of 14', where the temperature of the soil was a year-round 58°. The underground tubing was installed using a horizontal boring machine. In limited space applications, the underground tubing can also be installed vertically. The system we had heated and cooled a 4,000 SqFt house for around $600 a year...and I'm talking very hot summers, and very cold winters. All that said, I have not seen any homes in the Villages with a true geothermal system.

Mitsubishi
 

We have both the mini-split and the whole house mitsubishi units and are very pleased with the performance. For one, the cost to operate is less and when the central/whole house unit cycles, it cannot be heard. Have had both units installed by M & S and the central unit has a 12 year warranty. Our former AC unit, Carrier, broke down annually and since installing the Mitsubishi units (5 years for the mini-split, 3 years for the central unit) we have absolutely no problems.

Note that the new HVAC equipment you buy in 2025 will be about 20 to 25 percent more expensive because of the new refrigerant. Also, older refrigerants are readily available because they are recycled and resold whenever an older unit is replaced. In fact, it is illegal for an HVAC company to dispose of refrigerant. It must be accounted for and recycled.

Thanks

This is totally anecdotal, but 2 neighbors of mine recently installed new Mitsubishi systems, and I lost count of how many additional A/C companies showed up at their houses over the following month for service or repair of some sort.

Readily available at an ever increasing cost. We have experienced this on previously banned refrigerants. I have not read in my research that there will be an automatic 20 to 25 percent increase starting in 2025 but nothing surprises me anymore.

If your goal is to save money, I don't think you will achieve it by waiting until 2025. Most new systems come with a 10 year warranty, so buying a new system this year will lock in a lower price and a 10 year warranty. Do you really think you will save money by waiting until 2025 when a new, more expensive refrigerant is required?

yes, Mitsubishi makes whole house systems and they are Awesome ...Do yourself a Favor and purchase the Mitsubishi ....

It is true that R410A is being phased out but there are drop in replacements so that you won't have to replace the AHU too.

It still may make sense to wait as long as possible as some of the new refrigerants are classified as flammable. Probably not a big deal but a concern.
New non-flammable low GWP Drop-in replacement for R410A. The ONLY retrofit alternative to R410A on the market with A1 safety classification
RSL - the refrigerant specalists

I believe the best reason to hold off is that many new features are being added over time and may be cheaper as competition increases.

mini split
 

While in Maine, up till two years ago, I had a mini split system installed about 6 years ago. The installer recommended a Fujitsu system, Why? best reason in Maine it gets cold in the winter. Mitsubishi makes heat when temps are down as low as minus 5 degrees below zero. Fujitsu mad heat down to minus 15 degrees below zero. I got Fujitsu, and it did everything it said. Making heat when the temp were below zero was mind boggling. Now, having said this, we know the temps in FL don't nearly get that cold. In TV I put in a heat pump ducted. It makes all my heat and AC. No gas, propane, oil, or electric. And that was Carrier.

Thank you, another article that is making me lean more towards the 16 SEER rating