Ductless mini splits

OneSickS10 · 11-01-2014, 04:25 PM

Hey guys, just curious if anyone has installed their own ductless mini split system? I had a few places come out and give me a quote but they were way too high. I consider myself to be pretty handy so paying someone to do something I can do myself is also a tough pill to swallow.

As far as my knowledge base, I've done plumbing, I've done electrical, I've built decks, rooms, taped, hung drywall so the only thing that I would need to do more research on would be the vacuuming of the system before charging and possibly adding or removing refrigerant depending on the length of the runs.

If anybody can provide some advise it would be greatly appreciated. If you think these units are better left to the professionals that is understandable as well.

Oh, I am leaning towards the Mitsubishi's. Please chime in with what you are running and whether or not your experience was good or bad.

Thanks!

heymatt · 11-01-2014, 09:08 PM

Heat pump or straight cool?
I'm in the HVAC business, if you want, PM a little more info about what and where it will be installed. Depending on your local building dept. you may not be able to do it yourself, "legally".

Stingr69 · 11-02-2014, 10:27 AM

I am a rep for Daikin and about 30 other HVAC brands. We sell them in the commercial market. You will have no warranty if you install it yourself. Not worth it for that reason alone. Pay the guy to do it - They have special tools that they buy from us. They have special training that we give them. They are supposed to install it using best practices, procedures, nitrogen, etc. The classes they must go through are in addition to knowing the basic HVAC install procedures. You COULD hang, pipe, braze, evacuate, charge and wire it BUT it is not worth the savings IMO. I paid a certified trained liscensed contractor to install mine.

BTW - the heat pump will not work great in real cold weather. The colder it gets outside the less heat it will put out inside. Right when you really need it, it stops working. Just a characteristic of the type of system. Connecticut seems to get cold once in a while.

I like Daikin over Mitsubishi or LG. The warranty just got MUCH better, at least on the commercial side of the business it did. I don't know if that was implemented on the residential side or not.

-Mark.

OneSickS10 · 11-02-2014, 10:40 AM

Thanks for the tip Mark. I'll look into Daikin.
I was quoted $8500 for 2 indoor units and 1 outdoor compressor. That was NOT including an electrician to wire it up.

SSmoothie · 11-02-2014, 03:14 PM

I would just add to the other comments to make sure to get all the permits and inspections required for the each installment of mechanical, electrical and what ever is required in your state.

MMC · 11-03-2014, 11:24 AM

Check with your local utility and see about rebates on Daikin, they use a VFD and I'm getting $250 back for where I work. Let a pro do the install.

11-01-2014, 04:25 PM	#1
OneSickS10 Drives: 2011 SG Camaro 2SS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Manchester, CT Posts: 170 View My Garage	Ductless mini splits Hey guys, just curious if anyone has installed their own ductless mini split system? I had a few places come out and give me a quote but they were way too high. I consider myself to be pretty handy so paying someone to do something I can do myself is also a tough pill to swallow. As far as my knowledge base, I've done plumbing, I've done electrical, I've built decks, rooms, taped, hung drywall so the only thing that I would need to do more research on would be the vacuuming of the system before charging and possibly adding or removing refrigerant depending on the length of the runs. If anybody can provide some advise it would be greatly appreciated. If you think these units are better left to the professionals that is understandable as well. Oh, I am leaning towards the Mitsubishi's. Please chime in with what you are running and whether or not your experience was good or bad. Thanks! __________________ 2011 Synergy Green 2SS/RS SOLD - 1985 S10 434SBC 10.40 @ 130 all motor 91oct.

11-01-2014, 09:08 PM	#2
heymatt Drives: 2012 IBM 2SS Vert. Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tequesta, Fl. Posts: 784	Heat pump or straight cool? I'm in the HVAC business, if you want, PM a little more info about what and where it will be installed. Depending on your local building dept. you may not be able to do it yourself, "legally". __________________ LS3/M6 K&N, VMAX throttle body, RX Catch Can, skip shift eliminator, DT shorties and Solo HFC, DRL harness and 5K LED DRL, ZL1 rear sway, 1LE front sway

11-02-2014, 10:40 AM	#4
OneSickS10 Drives: 2011 SG Camaro 2SS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Manchester, CT Posts: 170 View My Garage	Thanks for the tip Mark. I'll look into Daikin. I was quoted $8500 for 2 indoor units and 1 outdoor compressor. That was NOT including an electrician to wire it up. __________________ 2011 Synergy Green 2SS/RS SOLD - 1985 S10 434SBC 10.40 @ 130 all motor 91oct.

11-02-2014, 03:14 PM	#5
SSmoothie Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS 6SP Blk/Blk Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: WA Posts: 920 View My Garage	I would just add to the other comments to make sure to get all the permits and inspections required for the each installment of mechanical, electrical and what ever is required in your state. __________________

11-03-2014, 11:24 AM	#6
MMC Drives: CGM 2SS/RS, 1987 & 2014 Silverado Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Spencerport, NY Posts: 1,012	Check with your local utility and see about rebates on Daikin, they use a VFD and I'm getting $250 back for where I work. Let a pro do the install. __________________

11-02-2014, 10:27 AM	#3
Stingr69 '69 Owned Since '79 Drives: '69 Z/28 LeMans Blue w/White Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LR AR Posts: 1,848 View My Garage	I am a rep for Daikin and about 30 other HVAC brands. We sell them in the commercial market. You will have no warranty if you install it yourself. Not worth it for that reason alone. Pay the guy to do it - They have special tools that they buy from us. They have special training that we give them. They are supposed to install it using best practices, procedures, nitrogen, etc. The classes they must go through are in addition to knowing the basic HVAC install procedures. You COULD hang, pipe, braze, evacuate, charge and wire it BUT it is not worth the savings IMO. I paid a certified trained liscensed contractor to install mine. BTW - the heat pump will not work great in real cold weather. The colder it gets outside the less heat it will put out inside. Right when you really need it, it stops working. Just a characteristic of the type of system. Connecticut seems to get cold once in a while. I like Daikin over Mitsubishi or LG. The warranty just got MUCH better, at least on the commercial side of the business it did. I don't know if that was implemented on the residential side or not. -Mark.