Mini Split help

[tyme2par4]

Hello all, newbie from NH here.

I have a few questions regarding mini split installs, and you guys seem to have quite a bit of experience.
First off, I installed a Mitsubishi HyperHeat 18kBtu unit in my last house, and it was a piece of cake.

Recently just bought a new house and I'm looking at installing a multi head unit to heat and cool. Right now I'm looking at either LG or Fujitsu, as they are the only multi head units that qualify for a very generous utility rebate.
So the new house is a cape, with a master and second bedrooms in the front of the first floor. The back of the house is an open concept living, dining, kitchen area. Then 2 more bedrooms upstairs. I'm thinking about doing a 3 head unit to start and cover the main floor. My question is, is it practical to install a head unit on an interior wall? The master BR doesn't really have room on the 1 exterior wall with the windows. Now being a cape, I have attic access so running line sets will be easy.
The living room also has limited exterior wall space due to windows. Would I be better off to go with the ceiling cassette style heads? It would require some reframing to accommodate the 24" square.

Also, ant recommendations on Fujitsu vs LG? I know the Fujitsus are pretty good, but haven't heard much on the LGs.

thanks!

 

[Ohmthis]

You most certainly can put them on the interior, but it can cause problems with drain and lineset placement. What is below the first floor, basement? Crawl space? You can come down the interior wall from the attic, but you would need a mini pump to get the condensate out. If you have an exposed basement or crawl space, the drain could be fished into the floor. Good luck!

 

[chinboys]

I am using 3 out of the 4 evaporator configurations in the LG system on two separate 3 and 4 ton condensers in my home in NJ. Yes decided a few years ago to rip out the inadequate 8 inch flex and 6 inch ducts and to jump onto the mini split wagon.
I have wall mounted evaporators both on external and internal walls. The problem is the condensate or what to do with it (use gravity to feed externally or to a lower interior drain)
I have ceiling mounted cassette type evaporators too but don't like them because the grill size is about 30 inches square (too big).
Lastly, I have the picture art wall framed evaporator which I haven't completed my installation on yet which I know will cool the home much like the wall hanging units will.

I like LG because they do have a branch distribution from which the larger line set to the condenser can be used from which smaller (up to 4 branches) can be home run from.
In this case, you would feed up to your attic and feed down to the different evaporators throughout your home.
Also I haven't but the ceiling cassettes can be opened up to feed via an insulated reducer coupling to feed another room using flex or rigid ductwork.

LG or Fujitsu or Panasonic, Gree, Carrier, Mitsubishi, Trane, etc brands of use.... look at the analogy of automobiles from these countries (Honda vs Toyota vs Hyundai vs GM vs..) ...your money and your choice to choose.
they all work well when they do and **** when they don't.

 

[tyme2par4]

thanks for the replies.
The room below the wall in question has a drop ceiling, so I do have access.
I think the wall units will be the best option. I guess I'll just have to look into condensate pumps.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Now being a cape, I have attic access so running line sets will be easy.

No basement ?

Sooner or later a condensate pump will fail (unless you just decide to replace it every X months). Where will the condensation go then and what kind of damage will it do ?

The living room also has limited exterior wall space due to windows. Would I be better off to go with the ceiling cassette style heads?

I have heard that cassettes are NOT the most efficient at distributing warm/cool air. Some companies also have a floor mount units.

With the "open concept" back side, I hope you are planning on one or more ceiling fans to distribute the warm and cool air. The kitchen could be an issue. What is the size of the "back half" ?

 

[tyme2par4]

I may be able to run the condensate line down to the basement. I will just have to find some place to route it outside to drain.

I'm not too worried about the air circulation in the living area. My previous house had a somewhat similar setup (larger) and my 18kBtu unit had no problem keeping the whole first floor cool. Obviously there will be some temperature gradient, but a couple degrees isn't going to bother me.

 

[bzinsky]

Stay away from LG, I installed 20 of them and I've had 2 of them down since January because I cannot get parts. Top of the line units and one year old, and they don't have parts for them......

About to pull the trigger on 2 new units because I'm so exhausted by that horrible company.

Also I can confirm ceilings cassettes are considerably less efficient than the standard wall units, I've looked up the efficiency ratings on the manufacturer data.

I installed all 20 of my units on interior walls. Not a big deal, toughest part is figuring out where to send the condensate. I drain them into the sump pumps.

 

[tyme2par4]

I installed all 20 of my units on interior walls. Not a big deal, toughest part is figuring out where to send the condensate. I drain them into the sump pumps.

When you install them on interior walls, are you running the refrigerant lines through the attic? What's the best way to do that? Should I just run it up along the wall, or try to cut a hole through the top plate of the wall?

 

[Jackfre]

Be aware that you will not get the same low temp heat out of the multi units as you do with the singles.

 

[tyme2par4]

Be aware that you will not get the same low temp heat out of the multi units as you do with the singles.

I have a wood stove in the main living area, so the heat will mainly only be used when it' in the 50's out.

 

[bzinsky]

When you install them on interior walls, are you running the refrigerant lines through the attic? What's the best way to do that? Should I just run it up along the wall, or try to cut a hole through the top plate of the wall?

I cut a hole in the top plate was pretty easy.

By far the best way to do it is have the side the split gets installed on fully sheetrocked, then open up the stud cavity on the other side of the wall.