REVIEW – My wife stating, “Honey, it’s cold in here,” combined with the review opportunity for TURBRO’s 12,000 BTU Wi-Fi enabled mini-split, ductless AC, and heat pump system, prompted a complete home theater makeover. How did it go? Read on, fellow Gadgeteers!
What is it?
The TURBRO GL12K115 is a ductless air conditioner and heater split system with Wi-Fi, App and Cloud connectivity, and a wireless remote control.
What’s included?
- Indoor and outdoor units (shipped in two boxes)
- Indoor unit mounting plate
- Remote control
- Two AAA batteries
- Remote control bracket and screws
- Wall anchors
- Drain joint
- Drain hoses
- Two insulated copper refrigerant pipes
- Wall sleeve
- Signal cable
- Two condensation drain hoses
- Hole sealing putty
- Rubber feet for outdoor unit
- Insulation tape
- Cardboard template for indoor unit wall mounting
- Installation and operation manual.
Tech specs
- Model: GL12K115
- Power: 115V, single phase, 60Hz, 8.2 amps rated, 920 watts
- AC: 22.0 SEER cooling capacity
- Heating Capacity: 12,000 BTU/h
- Minimum circuit capacity: 17 Amps
- Indoor Airflow: 471, 382, and 294 cubic feet per minute
- Lowest Noise Level: 27 dB
- Rated Coverage Area: Up to 750 square feet
- Indoor Unit Size: 36.22 x 12.05 x 7.68 inches
- Indoor Unit Weight: 23 pounds
- Outdoor Unit Size: 28.66 x 12.01 x 21.65 inches
- Outdoor Unit Weight: 60 pounds
- Refrigerant Type: R410a
Design and features
True story:
[My wife] “It’s cold in the home theater.”
[Me] “Hey, The Gadgeteer has a review opportunity for a TURBRO mini-split heater/air conditioner.”
[My wife] “Yeah, but if we do that, we should probably paint. That system is so nice. It would be sad on such an old-looking wall. If we do that, the carpeting will look crappy, so we should replace it. The laundry room’s bare floor is so cold. We could put some better-looking pieces of the old carpet in there, too!”
[Me] (Wincing) “That means we’ll need to empty both rooms. I guess I can do that. Oh crap, what have I gotten myself into?”
[Home Depot] “That’ll be $2952.98, please.”
Three weeks later:
[My wife] “Hey! We sent a new record! We haven’t been to the hardware store in two whole days!”
It’s a lot of work, but a room makeover changes the personality of the whole house. I love it, and thank TURBRO for it! Here are before and after photos:
Last year, I reviewed the TURBRO FMP05AC air conditioner. It’s been instrumental in curbing the oppressive summer heat in my daughter’s apartment, and we’ve both been happy with the design and performance. I was excited to have a look at their mini-split system.
It arrived in two large boxes with most of the pieces needed for a typical installation. You’ll need the appropriate tools (level, measuring tape, screwdriver, drill, hole saw, scissors, voltage meter, adjustable wrenches, hex keys, pliers, torque wrench, and a vacuum set). If you aim to install the system yourself, Turbo’s manual is commendable, but please use the utmost care. Mishandled electrical connections can kill you or burn down your house, and evacuated coolant is terrible for the environment.
Assembly, Installation, Setup
Before starting this review, I did a boatload of research. The first question I asked was, “Can I install this myself?” Yes, but some notable tools and skills are required. Before jumping into it, I recommend reading and watching YouTube videos. Of course, professional installation is always an option.
The TURBRO GL12K115 system has two primary parts: an indoor wall-mounted unit and a larger one (the compressor) for outdoor use. The coolant pipes, a communication cable, and a power supply wire need to pass through the wall. My raised ranch home has concrete walls requiring a beefy masonry drill. I found this to be the most challenging part of the installation. TURBRO includes a cardboard template to ensure all the holes are in the correct places.
A slab or appropriate base under the compressor (not included) is required. Since the installation location is susceptible to collecting foliage, I purchased a wall bracket to enable a leaf blower to keep the area clean. No sense sucking debris into the compressor fan.
The outdoor unit needs power. The electric code requires a nearby electrical disconnect. I ran a dedicated circuit from the breaker in my home’s electrical box to the fused disconnect. I used liquid-tight conduits to route electrical and control wiring to the compressor. These parts were not included.
To reduce condensation on the coolant lines, they are bundled with the drain and control cable and wrapped with insulation, which helps them pass through the wall during installation. TURBRO included a wall sleeve and putty to seal the passage. For good measure, I also filled the cavity in the wall with spay foam insulation.
The control cable is included.
Condensation drain lines are in the box. Both the indoor and outdoor units need them. I added a tee to route a single hose away from the house and used brackets to keep them pretty.
With the electrical supply connected, the next step was to cut the refrigerant lines to the correct length. It’s not difficult, but a pipe cutter and flange tool are needed to make the connections. The manual explains the process well.
Air that has entered the coolant lines can affect efficiency, so removal is required before the AC operates. I have a vacuum pump I use for servicing cars, but I need to purchase an adapter to fit it. The manual illustrates the process, and I had no trouble with it.
Not counting the tools, I spent about $300 on the parts and supplies to complete the installation. I estimate the job took about five hours.
Here is the Turbro GL12K115 outdoor unit securely mounted.
I added a bit of home-décor flair with a frame around it later.
Performance
The TURBRO GL12K115 air conditioner operates with the remote control or the SmartLife app. The “I Feel” mode passes data information from a sensor in the remote for optimum temperature control nearest the user, and it was great for keeping my wife warm, toasty, and comfortable.
Batteries are included!
The app enables connectivity with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It’s delightful to walk in and say, “Alexa, set the theater heater to 72 degrees.” A few minutes later, the room is toasty and warm. I also used the app to turn it off remotely to save energy.
The Turbro GL12K115 can automatically control the air conditioning and heating to maintain a specific temperature, fan only, or as a dehumidifier, which is particularly useful in preventing my basement from smelling musty during humid summer months. Additional settings exist to control the display, sounds, automatic evaporator cleaning, timers, and self-diagnosis. Lovely!
I was pleasantly shocked at the low sound levels for both the indoor and outdoor units. Both are remarkably quiet, even in “Turbo” mode. For perspective, my home’s central forced-air system is a little louder. The GL12K115 was so discreet that I barely noticed when it cycled while watching a movie.
Moving horizontal and vertical louvers direct the steam of warm or cold air to the room area that needs it most or can automatically sweep. When the TURBRO GL12K115 is off, they automatically close. Oooh! Cool!
Speaking of “cool,” we had a few hot days, so I was able to test the GL12K115’s air conditioning capabilities. It does an excellent job of cooling and lowering the humidity. Bravo, TURBRO!
What I like about the TURBRO GL12K115
- 115-volt operation from a single circuit breaker
- Does an excellent job keeping the room’s temperature stable
- Quiet operation
- Cloud-connected, so I can operate it using voice commands
- Easy to install (with the right tools)
What needs to be improved?
- Nothing
Final thoughts
It’s bewildering, amusing, and daunting how a single home improvement idea can snowball into a full-blown room makeover. What started as a two-day project idea evolved into a three-week home-improvement odyssey. Thanks to TURBRO’s GL12K115 Mini-Split heater/AC system, my wife and I can spend an evening enjoying the spoils of our labor and watching a movie in warm comfort. It’s relatively easy to install (with the right skills and tools), looks great, and the performance is just what we needed to transform our home theater dungeon into a delightfully comfortable room where we don’t want to escape. Thank you, TURBRO!
Price: $749.99
Where to buy: TURBRO and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by TURBRO. TURBRO did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
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Ductless Split Systems are a perfect spot heat/cooling solution. I’ve repeatedly recommended them to friends who do not have A/C in Los Angeles as a competitive alternative to a ducted system.
That was a big project! Looks great