Ductless Mini Split - Existing Inside walls / Lineset question

[phatcow]

Long time reader and first time poster. Wondering if you guys can help me decide if i should tackle this project.

I have a 5 ton central AC in my house, however i would like to separately install a 1 ton ductless unit in my home office so we dont need to cool the entire house just to cool the home office

The idea for the pathway for the lineset will be from the room, vertically inside the wall to the attic, and will follow the path of the existing lineset to the outdoor unit on the balcony

The room is on the inside 1st floor, and does not have exterior access, however it is a straight shot inside one of the walls for around 1.5 floors



i had a few specific questions
1) will i have an issue with the line set being inside a wall, will i have any maintenance or other issues in the future?

2) do they make condensation pumps that are specifically made for high vertical rise? Do they have split units that have a built in pump?

3) Assuming lineset is OKAY to run inside the wall to the attic, what are the sizes of holes i will need inside the fireblocks (horizontal). The entire lineset will be run between the studs without a need to crossover). Is it best practice to notch a large hole in the fireblock (non loadbearing wall) or smaller holes for the refrigerant and drainage separately

4) since i will be pulling the lineset inside the studs, i am afraid of the installation snagging or damaging the lineset. Can you run the lineset inside a larger PVC conduit so it prevents damage and also can channel the sweat?

5) the proverbial DIY question : are there any material differences between the big name units, and the units that are marketed to be installed by the DIYer. Im handy, but am wondering if there are any lessons i can pre-learn

6) I only want cooling, i do not need heating functions, however it seems like they are roughly the same price, and the generic chinese units only have heat pumps. Any downside of installing a heat pump but never using it?


Thanks in advance

 

[bacr619]

1. It is a standard pratice to install line sets in a wall. Same maintemace issue you would have with any other lineset if it were to start leaking. the concern i have trying to install a line set for miniductless is tearing of the pipe insulation. the small line or liquid line as we call it has to insulated just like the suction line. if the liqyid line is not insulated properly it will damage the compressor. Damaged suction line ot the bigger line will sweat and cause mold issues. Best to open wall for installation.

2. Go with a Gobi condensation pump one of the best you can get.

3. New construction we would drill but is acceptable to notch

4. Yes you can run it in conduit but will be a pia.

5. I have beem doing this for 25 years and only install Mitsubishi and Sanyo units in that order. Mitsubishi are the best you can get. In commercial applications they last 15 plus years. Sanyo will last just as long. I never installed a china unit.

6. the only down side is if the componet fails to make the unit run in cooling you will only have heat. But functionally no it will be fine.


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[theoldwizard1]

5. I have beem doing this for 25 years and only install Mitsubishi and Sanyo units in that order. Mitsubishi are the best you can get. In commercial applications they last 15 plus years. Sanyo will last just as long.

Good to hear this from a pro !

 

[phatcow]

Good to hear this from a pro !

I second that for sure.

A bonus question. are there any US manufactured units or do they all come from overseas?

 

[bacr619]

There is one manufacture in the US called EMI Enviromaster International out of Rome NY. I use to install was very good equipment and they backed there products very well. They fell behind the technology curve so i had to change to keep up with the market.

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