You might have always wanted to install an AC unit in your apartment, but with duct and other complicated parts, it would have been practically complicated.
A ductless AC unit can be easily installed without any professional help. In this article, you will learn the step-by-step process o how to install a ductless Air Conditioner-
You need basic tools like a drilling machine, hole saw, wrench, and a level. Make sure you have the wall brackets to install the condenser, the mini-split AC unit, condenser pad, and line covering kit.
The installation becomes easier if you have the easy-to-install line set that precharged or prefilled with refrigerant. It also has connectors that can help mount the units without any special tools. You can install a ductless AC unit anywhere, in your home, office, or garage. A few units provide both cooling and heating, and a few units have evaporators that help provide cooling to several rooms.
From where should you buy a ductless AC unit?
Unlike traditional units, installation of a ductless AC unit is straightforward, but initial installation costs might be higher. You can look online for ductless units that can be installed without professional help. Some offline stores may have DIY ductless AC units, but you must be well-informed about them before choosing the best one amongst them.
You can refer to the thermal units to know the size of the unit you intend to install. The higher cooling capacity is due to higher thermal units. There’s an easy calculation to choose the perfect AC unit size. All you need to do is a simple calculation on the heat lost from the room. You can take the help of online search engines to calculate.
A unit of lesser capacity may prove inefficient for a bigger area, and vice versa.
How difficult is the installation of a ductless AC unit?
Installation is quite a rudimentary routine with a ductless AC unit. All you need to drill holes and place some screws. A 20-amp circuit would be enough to draw power. You may install a circuit dedicated for the AC unit only.
The cable can run from the primary power source to your basement to the room’s disconnect box. The disconnect box is the best way to disconnect the power during servicing of the AC unit. From the disconnect box, the electricity runs towards the condenser. The cables that run parallelly with the line set helps provide power to the evaporator.
If you think you are not a pro in the electrical field, you can ask your electrician to help you out. An electrician would be the best person to guide you.
The condenser needs a surface to stay put. A condenser pad made of plastic can be an easy and functional way to keep the condenser safe. The line set has a fabric cover that may get dirty, so it is good to put a cover kit on the line set.
Adjusting the remote-control settings is also important. you may get a Bluetooth and WI-fi-controlled remote control set to make your life easy.
Installing the ductless AC unit
The room’s exterior is the best place to install the evaporator. The place should be far from the direct sun rays, dust sources, or doorways. There should be no ducts, wires, or pipes nearby to create trouble while drilling for the line set installation. The bracket should positioned carefully and tightened with screws.
A downward slope should be there while drilling the hole for the line set so that the drainage path remains clear. The drilling must done from the inside of the room to the outside. Check whether there are no obstacles in the path of the hole.
The evaporator has the line set coil located backward of it. Uncoil it and put the line set inside the hole. The drain line goes from behind the line set. The drain pipe can extended and joined with PVC tape. The foam sleeve of the line set should wrapped well, and the faulty insulation system must replaced. Slowly, place the evaporator unit on the brackets.
The condenser can placed on a plastic pad or mounted as per the space available. The refrigerant line set needs to connected with the power source. The outside wall’s hole must covered, and so the line sets.
