A while back I was trying to figure out what and where to install  a mini split.  We ended up putting in a 15RLS3H in our open living room/kitchen/eating area.

It came down to a better price and support, supposedly more efficient and more heat output at lower temps than Mitsubishi.

Per the installer : the 15RLS3H will do 16,500 BTU at -15F,   18,000 at -5F and 21,250 at +5F.  Whether this is true or not I am not sure.

We decided to skip 2nd story heat (for now) and are supplementing by heating the basement with an mini Rinnai unit.  It's (EX11C) 5.5k-11k BTU/hour input.  I was going to get the smallest Rinnai but found out that you can't vertically vent them at all.

The Rinnai should keep the heat pump hot water heater happy, keep the basement warm easily, and keep the 1st floor flooring more comfortable than the originally planned unheated basement. 

Here are some pics of the Fujitsu.  If you are in Vermont, I'd recommend Maheux to get an installation quote.

Looks pretty clean!

How much clearance is there between the top of the head and the ceiling? (Looks kinda tight.) According to the drawing on page 10 (PDF pagination) of the manual you're allowed to be no closer than 50mm to the ceiling, but more is usually better.

How far above grade is the bottom of the compressor unit?  Is it protected by roof overhangs?

As for the BTU output, those numbers are credible.  The extended temperature capacity tables found on page 16 of that inexplicably stops at -5F, but shows it can deliver 18,600 BTU/hr @ -5F into a 70F room. 

The extended temperature capacity tables for the 15RLS2H found on page16 of the RL2H tech manual shows that it can deliver 15,000 BTU/hr @-15F into a 70F room, 15,400 BTU/hr into a 65F room. But it only delivers 16,700 BTU/hr @ -5F, compared to the 18,600BTU/hr @ -5F  for the 15RLS3. 

Given the generally higher capacity of the RLS3s relative to the RLS2s, I'd believe  16,500 BTU/hr @ -15F for the RLS3, even though it doesn't appear in the extended temp table.

Mind you, in some conditions the defrost cycles at super low outdoor temps will cut into that a bit, but it would be a rare stretch of weather indeed for it to persist long enough to notice.

Thanks!

I eyeballed it in person, about 3" but I'll measure to double check. I know the installer did measure it.

It's only about 18" above grade and is not protected overhead directly (other than by a small overhang on the gable of the roof). We'll have to monitor it this winter and see how it goes... maybe do a little digging.