How to Install a Mini-Split Air Conditioner In this how-to video, keep cool with This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how to install a mini-split air conditioner. 1. Lay pad on ground, check for level, then set condenser unit on top of pad. 2. Use 1 ½-inch hole saw to drill hole through house for refrigerant line. 3. Feed refrigerant line through hole and into basement. 4. Open up wall in room where air conditioner will be located. 5. Run refrigerant line from condenser up to room. 6. Assemble PVC drain line and run it to room. 7. Pull electrical cable and low-voltage wire from condenser to room. 8. Screw metal mounting bracket to wall at manufacturer's recommended height. 9. Hang the air conditioner unit on the bracket. 10. Make final connections, including refrigerant line, PVC drain and electrical wires. 11. Install the air conditioner's cover.

Tools for Installing a Mini-Split Air Conditioner 1 1/2-inch hole saw to make hole for refrigerant lines Level used to level pad that supports condenser unit Drywall saw or jigsaw used to cut hole in interior wall 1. Mini-split air conditioner 2. Ground pad, for supporting condenser unit 3. 1-inch-diameter PVC pipe and assorted fittings, used as condensate drain line 4. PVC primer and cement, used to join together PVC drain line 5. ac unit will not stay onArmor-sheathed electrical cable, provides line-voltage power to the air conditionerwhat is the best hvac unit to buy 6. Low-voltage wire, sends signal from air conditioner to condenserbest auto ac repair in phoenix See how our systems let you experience personalized comfort.

See how you can experience room-by-room comfort. This design type is best used for:High efficiency cooling and heating.Advanced triple-action air filtration.High performance Hyper-Heating down to -13° F outdoor ambient. This design type is best used for:Hot or cold rooms.Homes without space for duct work.Larger, multi-room living spaces. This design type is best used for:Master bedrooms.Bathrooms.Additions.Rooms with soffit or crawl space available. This design type is best used for:Bedrooms.Offices.Basements.Sunrooms.New additions. This mount type is best used for:Larger zones.As part of a larger, multi-room, whole home system or Diamond Comfort System. This design type (multi-room only) is best used for:Areas with low ceilings.Rooms with limited wall space.Homes that use a multi-room system. Outdoor UnitsConnecting up to eight indoor units to one outdoor unit.  Multiple zones or entire home.New homes or renovations.Different indoor unit designs for different room types.

9 Simple Ways to Keep Cool During Hot Weather Repairing and Preventing Flooded Cooling and Heating Systems You Don't Need a Computer Science Degree to Understand Home Automation Systems High Tech Comfort Control Solutions Can Improve Your Home's Resale Value Upstairs, Downstairs: Conditioning Multiple Rooms With Home Zoning Big Home, Small Bills. Four Reasons Wireless Comfort Control Makes Life Better What is a Ductless or Mini Split Air Conditioner? Like central air conditioners, these units have a split design but without an elaborate system of ducts. The split system (also called a mini-split, ductless split, or duct-free system) has at least one unit inside the home (this is the evaporator) and one outdoor unit (the condenser). Small tubes of refrigerant run from the outdoor unit to the indoor units � these are also known as line sets. Indoor units can be wall or ceiling mounted. Ductless splits can be used to cool one zone or multiple zones applying two to four indoor units to one condenser � the indoor units can all be used independently of each other.

(See details about ductless split warranties.) Shop Ductless Split Air Conditioners How do I choose a ductless split air conditioner? The most important factors when choosing a ductless split air conditioner are BTUs, number of cooling zones, and installation type. Zones A single zone ductless split system will have one evaporator, or air handler (indoor unit), and one condenser (outdoor unit). If you want to cool more than one area, a multiple zone split system applies two, three, or four (depending on the model) indoor units to one condenser. Normally its one unit per room � just make sure there is enough BTUs to cover the square footage in the room. Shop Single Zone Ductless Split Systems Shop Multiple Zone Ductless Split Systems BTUs (British Thermal Units) BTUs are units of power � the larger the area you need to cool, the more BTUs you need. This is very straight forward for a single zone split system. For multiple zone systems, both the outdoor units and the indoor units will have a set number of BTUs.

One of the benefits of a ductless split system is that each indoor unit runs independently. Therefore, the total number of BTUs for the indoor units can exceed the outdoor unit�s BTU by up to 30%, but all the units cannot operate (on maximum) at once. Installation Type There are many different options of indoor units. One type of indoor unit is mounted on the wall. Select wall mounted units will come with customizable front panels that look like picture frames or pieces of art. Another type goes on the ceiling. Ceiling units can be suspended, recessed into the ceiling or concealed inside the ceiling. Ceiling units are for single zone applications only (multiple zone ceiling units are not available). Please keep in mind that ductless split systems have to be installed by a certified HVAC technician. Shop Ductless Split Ceiling Units Shop Wall Mounted Units What are single zone and multiple zones? Single zone means that there is only one indoor unit, and multiple zones means there are two to four indoor units for one condenser � each unit can be set to a different temperature and function independently.

(Note that if the outdoor unit is equipped for more than one zone � you do not need to use all of the outlets). It is best to get an indoor unit for each room you are trying to cool � just make sure the BTUs are enough to cover the square foot area of all of the rooms. What are the pros and cons of a ductless split air conditioner? Ductless split air conditioners are a cost effective choice compared to central air conditioning. They are typically more expensive than wall or window air conditioners and you need an HVAC professional to install the unit. Since the compressor sits outside, ductless split air conditioners are very quiet and efficient. The indoor units do not need to vent through an exterior wall, so ductless splits are a good option to cool rooms with no windows and no exterior walls. A ductless split system also provides more temperature control because each indoor unit can be set independently from the other units. How do I install a ductless split air conditioner, why do I need a HVAC Professional?

Installing a ductless split air conditioner is more complicated that a window unit but far less complicated than installing central air. An HVAC professional will need to run lines for the coolant, electricity, and drainage. You will also need a HVAC professional to charge it with the right amount of coolants. How big will the hole be in the wall? This slightly varies depending on the unit you buy but, it is generally 3" in diameter. Will a ductless split system work in the winter? If you are installing a ductless split air conditioner for all times of the year (ex: a computer/server room) you will need to purchase an air conditioner that has low ambient operation. The unit can set for cooling even when the outdoor temperature drops below 41�F (5�C). Shop Low Ambient Ductless Split Air Conditioners Do I need to purchase tubing? Yes, you do need to purchase tubing (also called line sets) to install your ductless split air conditioner. The tubing will connect the indoor and outdoor units.