Every mini split unit must have a preventative maintenance every year which includes a drain/blower clean. For that matter every regular (also known as unitary units) require cleaning. Unfortunately most, not all, never do the PM they get paid for. They get a check and the repair when it breaks. I went to a customer yesterday who said the PM employee for a company spent less than five minutes on site both visits this year.
I once put in some Trane home units. Loved them, have two 28 years old at home. But the HVAC division of American Standard, which owns Trane as well was bought about ten years ago by Ingersol Rand. That management group decided to sell more units they needed the price down. So they cut quality way down. It’s no longer hard to stop a Trane.
I sell what is best for my customers. I sell what I would buy. At this time I feel like that is Carrier products. Unfortunately most people don’t know that one company puts a butt load of names on a system that is always the same. Companies just buy a name you recognize in your kitchen and pay them a royalty. Those units are just former mobile home units dressed up with a kitchen appliance name.
The fact is every manufacturer has cut quality standards huge. There is no money in making something last and CEOs of companies only care about today, right now, keeping stock prices up, getting a bonus. Americans like cheap goods, not everyone but 90% and that 90% make the rules for quality.
You want quality in a comfort system you buy from a country who prides themselves on quality. That country is Japan. That’s why in minisplits I only install Mitsubishi. That stuff from Korea and China is dung. Korea makes Tranes minisplits thru a company called Gree. Hell Gree stamps tons of brand names on their junk.