Air Conditioning - Mini-split best option?

The basement gets pretty hot and humid during the summer. We purchased a Comfort Aire 50pt dehumidifier but of course adds more heat.

There is no place for a window AC. Even running a portable AC would be problematic since we wouldn't know where to vent the hot air. The back of the basement has the boiler room and laundry. The middle is finished.

I just learned about mini-splits and think it might be the best way to go.

Are these things reliable? More efficient than portable ac's?

In total, the basement is about 45' long, 15' wide and 7' high. We can run some hospital track and curtains to enclose the finished space to help keep it cool.

Mini-splits are great. If properly sized, installed, and maintained it will give you great service.

Thank you. Is there anything I should look for or a specific model or company? Can anyone recommend someone in the NYC area that can do an install?

Stick with the established mini's. Carrier, Mitsubishi, Sanyo, there's more but these three are great.

As for a contractor in your area, the best way is to ask your friends and neighbors who they use and trust.