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Pros/cons of putting minisplit lines in the wall (vs. on exterior of wall)

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aunsafe2015

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Apr 2, 2016
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Northern VA
I'll have the opportunity to install my minisplit before I add drywalls to my framing, if I want to. Theoretically this would allow me to keep the minisplit lines in the walls, rather than going to the outside and then using line hide to run it down the wall to the condenser.

What are the pros/cons of keeping the lines in the walls? Is it primarily an aesthetic/appearance thing? That's the only benefit that immediately comes to mind. The immediate con that comes to mind is that, if I ever need to replace the lines, I would possibly have to destroy my wall to do so.

Anything else? If I don't really care about appearance, am I better off just running the line down the exterior wall and using line hide?

Thanks.
 
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Commendatore

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Mar 5, 2015
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Central NC
Could condensation be a concern? I guess if they're well insulted and the cavity is filled with insulation it probably won't be a problem.
 
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thammel

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Oct 3, 2005
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Location
Maryland
I have 2x6 framing and put the mini split lines in the walls. The advantage is that you don't have lines running down the outside of the garage wall. The disadvantage is any future repairs that may need access to the lines will require opening up the walls. I figure that my home central heat pumps have buried lines in walls so what's the difference. It sure does look a lot nice, in my opinion.

Tom
 
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OzarkMan

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Dec 3, 2014
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Ozark Missouri
I will be installing my mini split lines in the 2x6 walls of the new dining room we are adding on. If the line-set needs replacing, well then, I guess it will be installed on the exterior! Nothing to lose. The insulation on the lines keeps the condensate under control.
 
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aircommuter

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Jan 3, 2016
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Greeley Hill, CA
I have been installing refrigeration lines in wall for 43 years, in the old days they went to A coils in the forced air plenum, today it is mini split. I have never seen a copper line wear out yet.
 
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bzinsky

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Oct 27, 2014
Messages
5,565
aunsafe2015 said:
I'll have the opportunity to install my minisplit before I add drywalls to my framing, if I want to. Theoretically this would allow me to keep the minisplit lines in the walls, rather than going to the outside and then using line hide to run it down the wall to the condenser.

What are the pros/cons of keeping the lines in the walls? Is it primarily an aesthetic/appearance thing? That's the only benefit that immediately comes to mind. The immediate con that comes to mind is that, if I ever need to replace the lines, I would possibly have to destroy my wall to do so.

Anything else? If I don't really care about appearance, am I better off just running the line down the exterior wall and using line hide?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I installed 20 systems on interior walls and just had to replace 2.

My LG units used 18 gauge insulated 4wire to go from outdoor unit to indoor unit. Well, the new units called for 14 gauge. So I had to open up the walls to replace the wire. Was a *****.

Basically. Buy some good wire, and some good insulation on your line sets so you never have to replace anything.

Even if your system fails and you need to buy a new one, you can use all of your old stuff
 
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Git

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The only 'con' that I can think of is the initial connection to the indoor unit. Usually there is enough of the lineset to make it out through the wall. If you run the lines IN the wall, you won't have access to this connection which may or may not be a problem. (I would want to run the unit for a bit to make sure nothing was leaking)
 
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Doug1

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Feb 23, 2011
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Charleston, SC
Since you will have to have them on exterior walls, why not just go through the wall to the outside? I assume they will be on exterior walls to allow for water drainage from the unit.

Otherwise, just make sure to run good conduit to pull different wires later if needed. The copper tubing would require opening up the wall so that's why I recommend just running lines right through the wall with the drain.
 
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Ohmthis

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Jan 20, 2013
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Outside of Louisville KY
Git said:
The only 'con' that I can think of is the initial connection to the indoor unit. Usually there is enough of the lineset to make it out through the wall. If you run the lines IN the wall, you won't have access to this connection which may or may not be a problem. (I would want to run the unit for a bit to make sure nothing was leaking)
Click to expand...

Typically you have differnt entry points for the lineset. If you choose to, you can make your connections and fold that behind the unit (there is a small recess on the back of the unit for this).
 
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bzinsky

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Git said:
The only 'con' that I can think of is the initial connection to the indoor unit. Usually there is enough of the lineset to make it out through the wall. If you run the lines IN the wall, you won't have access to this connection which may or may not be a problem. (I would want to run the unit for a bit to make sure nothing was leaking)
Click to expand...

You work on interior units by opening up the back side of the wall.
 
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bzinsky

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Ohmthis said:
Typically you have differnt entry points for the lineset. If you choose to, you can make your connections and fold that behind the unit (there is a small recess on the back of the unit for this).
Click to expand...

damnit! wish I would have known that. I have all my connections inside the wall!
 
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theoldwizard1

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Feb 22, 2011
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43,587
Location
SE MI
I know of no way to go around a corner inside of a wall without cutting and re-brazing the line set. obviously defeats the purpose of a pre-charged line set.

If I were installing in a house with crawl space/un-finished basement, I would run my line set straight down and then make bends as required.
 
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Gerald O

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Mar 5, 2013
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Location
NC
Ran my lines in the wall. Easier to do during construction. Much harder to do as a retrofit. Lines in the walls are standard practice for conventional split systems, so I don't see why mini-splits need be any different. Pre-charged lines are a unique situation, but most minis don't use them.
 
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Falcon67

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Jun 11, 2009
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Location
Merkel, TX
aircommuter said:
I have been installing refrigeration lines in wall for 43 years, in the old days they went to A coils in the forced air plenum, today it is mini split. I have never seen a copper line wear out yet.
Click to expand...

No, but they can get damaged and require repair. Over the years having AC units serviced, I'll take external accessible lines vs buried in the wall stuff. We had lines behind the brick in this house and when we put in the new Ruud, I asked to abandon those lines for new to insure a clean install. If we have to do in again in 15 years, those will get replaced too. It's a drop in the bucket as far as overall cost.
 
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