Concealed duct mini splits, do I need duct work?

[PirateToast]

Hey, I'm looking at a concealed duct mini split system (I can't seem to find a 60K BTU single zone system with low temperature handling with any other type of handler). Link to what I'm looking at below. Do I actually need to install duct work? Or could I just hang this inside the garage and go?

60,000 BTU 15.8 SEER2 ACiQ Platinum Single Zone Concealed Duct Mini Split System w/ Extreme Heat

ACiQ's mini split systems are designed to give you intelligent technology and superior comfort, all at a reasonable cost. This large capacity single zone system is perfect for any large space that needs reliable powerful heating and cooling.

hvacdirect.com

 

[pcmeiners]

Is this for a garage?
As is you will need to build a box around it, or duct to make it more estheticly pleasing. Also this type is less efficient then the usual wall mounted units .

 

[kyrbz]

There won’t be duct work, but you‘ll have a line set that runs to your outdoor unit

 

[PirateToast]

Is this for a garage?
As is you will need to build a box around it, or duct to make it more estheticly pleasing. Also this type is less efficient then the usual wall mounted units .

Like I said, I can't find one. The aesthetics look fine for me, it is for a garage.

 

[PirateToast]

There won’t be duct work, but you‘ll have a line set that runs to your outdoor unit

That works out just fine then.

 

[pcmeiners]

Your not going to find one, you make it or leave the electric connections and lineset exposed.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

you'll need to see if it has a filter rack of if you need to provide one. I think it's the latter, and I'd suggest something like a standard 2" filter at an angle. e.g. QTY 2, 24"x24" filters at an angle to maintain low profile.

something that looks like this:

 

[dcg9381]

That works out just fine then.

How big is your garage? 60k makes me think you've got something BIG. Ductless systems are a bit directional... It might be better to split it into 2 x 30K systems in a larger space.

I'll bet someone will come by with a "hack" for low temperature handling... (assuming you want these to turn on below allowable set temperatures).

Make sure the unit is efficient in low temps. My units are not. Overlooking that could blow this whole thing up.

 

[PirateToast]

How big is your garage? 60k makes me think you've got something BIG. Ductless systems are a bit directional... It might be better to split it into 2 x 30K systems in a larger space.

I'll bet someone will come by with a "hack" for low temperature handling... (assuming you want these to turn on below allowable set temperatures).

Make sure the unit is efficient in low temps. My units are not. Overlooking that could blow this whole thing up.

48X32 with 11' ceilings. I've gotten all sorts of mixed messages on what sizing to go with. Keep in mind this is in Minnesota, so it gets cold. 60K seems to be the biggest I can get with a single zone.

 

[PirateToast]

you'll need to see if it has a filter rack of if you need to provide one. I think it's the latter, and I'd suggest something like a standard 2" filter at an angle. e.g. QTY 2, 24"x24" filters at an angle to maintain low profile.

something that looks like this:

I'm not really following the context of this? What does the filter rack mean?

 

[PirateToast]

Your not going to find one, you make it or leave the electric connections and lineset exposed.

I found just one, but it was out of stock. I'm fine leaving the electric and line set exposed. I'm sure I can run that into the ceiling so it's more subtle.

 

[dcg9381]

48X32 with 11' ceilings. I've gotten all sorts of mixed messages on what sizing to go with. Keep in mind this is in Minnesota, so it gets cold. 60K seems to be the biggest I can get with a single zone.

Insulation?

I have a 2400 sqft shop and I was "shopping" for a solution just like you (course, it's more about cooling). What I found was that I could do multiple smaller systems for below the cost of a larger one. Multiple systems help work around the "directionality" problem of ductless units, you can spread them out. And certainly 60k will be way overkill for MN if you ever use it for cooling.

Again, it's super important that you watch that unit's ability to heat. 60K BTU may not be what it puts out at 20 degrees. I ended up supplementing with ductless propane wall units (a few hundred bucks) but we get very few cold days.

 

[PirateToast]

Insulation?

I have a 2400 sqft shop and I was "shopping" for a solution just like you (course, it's more about cooling). What I found was that I could do multiple smaller systems for below the cost of a larger one. Multiple systems help work around the "directionality" problem of ductless units, you can spread them out. And certainly 60k will be way overkill for MN if you ever use it for cooling.

Again, it's super important that you watch that unit's ability to heat. 60K BTU may not be what it puts out at 20 degrees. I ended up supplementing with ductless propane wall units (a few hundred bucks) but we get very few cold days.

Right, kind of apples to oranges to compare a warm weather climate vs cold. I'm not worried about A/C at all, calculations show I'm way overboard there. Heating is the main issue. I know people talk about multiple smaller systems, but pricing it out, I find it more expensive. Plus I have to install it multiple times then...

I guess my main question is the original, do I need any duct work on that thing?

 

[u3b3rg33k]

I'm not really following the context of this? What does the filter rack mean?

coils need clean air. units meant to be concealed are often "installer provided" for filters.

you can't just run it without a filter. well, ok, you can. but if you've ever paid someone to clean a coil in an AC in a wood shop, well, you'd rather have the filter.

 

[dcg9381]

I guess my main question is the original, do I need any duct work on that thing?

For heating? Assuming this is "open" 1200 sqft, I'd say that you'd just need some ceiling fans running in reverse to distribute the air, but it will be warmer on the "heated end" of the shop.

 

[Firebrick43]

Hey, I'm looking at a concealed duct mini split system (I can't seem to find a 60K BTU single zone system with low temperature handling with any other type of handler). Link to what I'm looking at below. Do I actually need to install duct work? Or could I just hang this inside the garage and go?

60,000 BTU 15.8 SEER2 ACiQ Platinum Single Zone Concealed Duct Mini Split System w/ Extreme Heat

ACiQ's mini split systems are designed to give you intelligent technology and superior comfort, all at a reasonable cost. This large capacity single zone system is perfect for any large space that needs reliable powerful heating and cooling.

hvacdirect.com

Have you read the specs on the link you provided?????

The title says 60k but it says 24k much further down and then 36k heating and 36k cooling in the spec block while still saying it’s a 5 ton system.

I would not trust a thing that retailer is advertising.

 

[manwithtools]

I would not trust a thing that retailer is advertising.

FIFY

 

[chinboys]

Why not buy a 5 ton heat pump that can drive multiple zones that add up to 5 tons?

A rule of thumb in commercial cooling is to have 400 ft3 of air per ton of cooling at the blower output.
That means 2000 ft3 of air leaving the induct evaporator squirrel cage fan assembly. make sure the blower can manage this volume of air.
However, if you distribute the cooling load across 3-4 zones using multiple wall-hanging evaporator units, their blower output can be lower.

 

[ratflinger]

Here's a 36K Pioneer - 2 of them come in cheaper than that questionable unit you are looking at.

Ductless Split Air Conditioning | Heating System | DC Inverter

Ductless DC Inverter High Wall Mounted Split Air Conditioning and Heating System. Operation Mode: Cooling and Heating. Capacity: 36,000 BTU/Hr. (23Ton) Efficiency Rating: 19 S.E.E.R. Electrical Specification: 208-230 VAC, 1 Phase, 60 Hertz.

www.highseer.com

 

[Firebrick43]

Here's a 36K Pioneer - 2 of them come in cheaper than that questionable unit you are looking at.

Ductless Split Air Conditioning | Heating System | DC Inverter

Ductless DC Inverter High Wall Mounted Split Air Conditioning and Heating System. Operation Mode: Cooling and Heating. Capacity: 36,000 BTU/Hr. (23Ton) Efficiency Rating: 19 S.E.E.R. Electrical Specification: 208-230 VAC, 1 Phase, 60 Hertz.

www.highseer.com

And gives some capacity if one breaks down to boot!

 

[PirateToast]

Have you read the specs on the link you provided?????

The title says 60k but it says 24k much further down and then 36k heating and 36k cooling in the spec block while still saying it’s a 5 ton system.

I would not trust a thing that retailer is advertising.

I've talked with multiple people on the phone. Seems like just a bug on their site confusing which model you selected. The website has pretty solid reviews from what I've seen.

Here's a 36K Pioneer - 2 of them come in cheaper than that questionable unit you are looking at.

Ductless Split Air Conditioning | Heating System | DC Inverter

Ductless DC Inverter High Wall Mounted Split Air Conditioning and Heating System. Operation Mode: Cooling and Heating. Capacity: 36,000 BTU/Hr. (23Ton) Efficiency Rating: 19 S.E.E.R. Electrical Specification: 208-230 VAC, 1 Phase, 60 Hertz.

www.highseer.com

This advertises to -13, the other says to -22. Seems about the same price, but more work.

Why not buy a 5 ton heat pump that can drive multiple zones that add up to 5 tons?

A rule of thumb in commercial cooling is to have 400 ft3 of air per ton of cooling at the blower output.
That means 2000 ft3 of air leaving the induct evaporator squirrel cage fan assembly. make sure the blower can manage this volume of air.
However, if you distribute the cooling load across 3-4 zones using multiple wall-hanging evaporator units, their blower output can be lower.

Why do I need multiple zones for a single space? That's what I struggle with understanding.

 

[ratflinger]

I've talked with multiple people on the phone. Seems like just a bug on their site confusing which model you selected. The website has pretty solid reviews from what I've seen.



This advertises to -13, the other says to -22. Seems about the same price, but more work.


Why do I need multiple zones for a single space? That's what I struggle with understanding.

-22?? ****, I'd move.

 

[PirateToast]

-22?? ****, I'd move.

Haha. I want to be able to use it in winter!

What do those low temps advertised mean exactly anyways? If it says -13, will it still work below -13, just inefficiently? Or is it a complete shutoff? Does it still work well at -10?

 

[u3b3rg33k]

Haha. I want to be able to use it in winter!

What do those low temps advertised mean exactly anyways? If it says -13, will it still work below -13, just inefficiently? Or is it a complete shutoff? Does it still work well at -10?

the 5 ton LG split at work says works down to -15F. it works down to -20F in practice, errored out at -22F.

 

[T444e]

Why do I need multiple zones for a single space?

You don't. If you want, you could duct it to get more even air distribution.
I'm working on installing a 1.5t split system with a fan coil unit ducting it out for better air distribution, only in half the 1800 sf building, I may stub it into the other half if needed.

 

[Firebrick43]

I've talked with multiple people on the phone. Seems like just a bug on their site confusing which model you selected.

Great, so they aren't lying, just incompetent and not able to fix the issue, its not a "bug", that is an issue with a computer program. Its that they uploaded the wrong material, plain and simple.

The website has pretty solid reviews from what I've seen.

You do know that its easy to fake reviews and many sites do.

Why do I need multiple zones for a single space? That's what I struggle with understanding.

Redundancy, if one breaks down your not SOL while your waiting on parts or on vacation and all your pipes break.

Much better circulation

Much higher efficiency. 15 seer for the unit you linked is terrible. Most mini splits are running around 20-23 seer. Plus during the shoulder seasons you can run just one at full or close to full load which helps efficiency even more. Multiple others have already pointed that out

 

[jskicet]

Hey, I'm looking at a concealed duct mini split system (I can't seem to find a 60K BTU single zone system with low temperature handling with any other type of handler). Link to what I'm looking at below. Do I actually need to install duct work? Or could I just hang this inside the garage and go?

60,000 BTU 15.8 SEER2 ACiQ Platinum Single Zone Concealed Duct Mini Split System w/ Extreme Heat

ACiQ's mini split systems are designed to give you intelligent technology and superior comfort, all at a reasonable cost. This large capacity single zone system is perfect for any large space that needs reliable powerful heating and cooling.

hvacdirect.com

I have a small Gree Ducted unit in my upstairs loft/bedroom. Mine needed an inlet ductwork with filter attached. The duct work attaches to the rear of the unit. Some do have a filter near that inlet but it would be difficult to get to once installed. It works very. It runs on A/C year round being heat rises up to the loft master bedroom and gets very warm in the winter. I've never needed the heat. I didn't like the look of a wall mounted unit in the house. I'm pleased with it.