The Struggle for Smarter Cooling
Jim L. knows more than a thing or two about home maintenance. With decades of automotive refrigeration experience, this Michigan empty nester has handled his fair share of HVAC projects.
But he didn’t expect his 1989 central air system to suddenly fail, and find himself facing a $5,000+ replacement quote that seemed grossly overpriced.
Furthermore, to make it practical, he needed to balance his investment with how much he would actually use it.
"My wife and I only use three rooms in our 1,615-square-foot house," Jim explains. "Why pay to cool empty bedrooms upstairs?"
Jim's temporary fix—multiple portable AC units—quickly turned into a nightmare. They were bulky, noisy, and inefficient. The units used so much power that his house lights would dim whenever they started cooling.
And whenever anyone opened a door, all the cool air inside would quickly escape. Worst of all, Jim noticed that his electric bills skyrocketed.
Finally, he decided that enough was enough.
"In Michigan's humidity, those portable units just couldn't keep up," he recalls. "I knew there had to be a better way."
A Closer Look at the Project
- The Homeowner: Jim L., a DIY-savvy empty nester in Michigan.
- The Home: A 1,615 sq. ft. house built in the 1900s.
- The Problem: A failed central AC, a $5,000+ replacement quote, and inefficient portable units.
- The Solution: Two Della mini-split systems for targeted zone cooling.
- The Result: A cool, comfortable home, dramatically lower energy bills, and a total project cost under $3,000.
A Four-Year Path to Mini-Splits
Upon further reflection, Jim remembered using mini splits at work four years prior. His company had been installing them in numerous small buildings, and he was impressed by how sleek they looked. His interest was piqued, and he started researching mini splits.
After hours of watching comparison videos, he discovered how cost-effective and efficient mini splits were. Next, Jim learned about SEER ratings, refrigerant types, and installation methods.
Unfortunately, he realized that his old system had a poor SEER rating of 14. Modern mini splits could reach 22, which means major energy savings.
Learning Why Bigger Isn’t Better
Jim’s biggest realization was when he noticed the one crucial detail that most people miss.
"Americans think bigger is always better," he says. "Like wanting a 75-inch TV when you're sitting 10 feet away. I almost made that mistake with AC, too."
To his surprise, he learned how oversized units cause "short cycling" in small rooms. This means that the AC system turns on and off repeatedly, wearing out the compressor faster. But this information wasn't in any advertisements, and Jim had to read the fine print to find it.
"Nobody tells you that putting an 18,000 BTU mini split in a small room will actually shorten its life," he notes. "Or that ceiling height matters as much as square footage."
Why Della Was the Smarter Choice
After comparing multiple brands, Jim chose Della for these important reasons:
Fair Pricing: "They were middle of the road—not the cheapest, not the most expensive, but solid value for quality equipment."Hidden Warranty Gem: Jim discovered Della offers a limited lifetime warranty. "It's one of the best in the industry, but they barely advertise it.
They should put it in bold letters everywhere."Real Customer Support: "Every time I contacted Della, someone actually helped me. That's rare these days."Efficiency That Matters: The 22 SEER rating promised real energy savings compared to his old 14 SEER system.
Jim's Picks
Jim recommends the right size for each room, not the biggest model. Here are smart picks like his:
The DIY-Friendly Surprise
What really impressed Jim was Della's innovative DIY support program.
"They offer a tool rental kit—$300 deposit with $200 back, so basically $100 to rent professional equipment," he explains. "If you video your installation showing proper vacuum-down to 500 microns, you get the full warranty. That's game-changing for handy homeowners."
Despite his expertise, Jim balanced DIY with professional help. He handled all electrical work himself, installing proper GFCI protection and running new lines. But for the refrigerant work, he hired a pro for just $110.
"Best money I spent," he says. "It protected my warranty and gave me peace of mind."
Installation Lessons Learned
Jim's 1900s home presented unique challenges. He had to drill through three wall layers—paneling, plaster, and lath. Generally, home owners need to only drill through a single wall.
The 16-foot line set seemed plenty long on paper. But Jim's house sits five steps above ground level, and every bend eats up length.
"You lose about 2 feet just in routing," he warns. "Always order longer than you think you need."
Another surprise: the communication cable and refrigerant lines were the same length, but the cable needed a different routing. This forced him to relocate his outdoor unit.
When Things Go Wrong, Della Gets It Right
Unfortunately, Jim ordered Della units from a third-party seller and his mini splits arrived in damaged packaging. Staples had been removed and replaced, evidence of tampering or used units. Then he found that multiple components were missing: remote batteries, the wall sleeve for the line set, and even the remote holder.
"I contacted Della expecting hassle," Jim says. "Instead, they offered $100 compensation and sent the missing parts immediately. No questions, no runaround."
This helpful response convinced him to order his next system directly from Della.
Living with Della: The Reality
Today, Jim controls his bedroom temperature from anywhere thanks to the free Della+ app. He even tested it from his daughter's house three miles away.
"I can turn my room into a meat locker—drop it from 73°F to 63°F—just because I can," he laughs.
The app lets him photograph and name each unit, making multi-zone control simple. When he installs his new dual-zone system for the living areas, he'll manage everything from his phone.
His energy bills? Dramatically lower. The quiet operation? "You forget it's even running."
What Could Be Better
Jim's honest about what could be better:
- Sizing Education: "Della should prominently explain how to choose the right size unit. Include ceiling height calculations. Warn about short cycling. This would prevent costly mistakes."
- Error Codes: "There's no error code list in the manual or website. For DIY troubleshooting, that's essential."
- Aesthetic Options: "The wall units are bulkier than expected. My wife wants different color panels to match our rooms. That customization would be huge."
- App Tweaks: "The dehumidifier mode locks at 68°F, but my room dropped to 63°F. That needs fixing."
How the Choice Spread
"My brother and son-in-law are now shopping for Della units," Jim shares. "When something works this well, you tell people."
His advice for future buyers?
- Measure everything twice: Include ceiling height and account for routing
- Resist oversizing: Right-sizing prevents short cycling and extends unit life
- Order longer line sets: You'll lose length in bends and elevation changes
- Use the rental tools: $100 for proper installation tools is worth it
- Mix DIY with pro help: Do what you're comfortable with, hire out the rest
The Final Takeaway
"For anyone with unused rooms or an old HVAC system, Della mini-splits just make sense," Jim concludes. "I went from cooling empty rooms with a 30-year-old system to having precise control over exactly what I need."
Would he recommend Della?
"Already have. And I'm about to install my third unit. That should tell you everything."
Could Della Work in Your Home?
Jim's experience proves that you don’t have to be an HVAC expert to make a smart, cost-effective upgrade. Whether you're an empty nester, working from home, or just want better control over your home's comfort, Della mini-splits provide practical, energy-efficient solutions.
With easy DIY support, top-notch customer service, and impressive performance, Della is reshaping how homeowners think about cooling. And at under $3,000 for a full-house solution? It’s not just efficient cooling—it’s a smart, long-term investment in your home.
Ready to upgrade your cooling system like Jim? Get dialed in. Explore the Della Mini Split collection today!
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