Posted on 06/18/2022 9:30:32 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
DYI Mini Split Heat Pump, I did it! And it works very well!
My existing Trane AC sadly died an early death at a very young 27 years.; RIP. I did have the need R-290(Not the old Texas R-1bbq refrigerant, real R290, no water vapor) to revive it, but then the fan solenoid gave out. And we said our goodbyes.
Our daughter and HVAC guy S.I.L. put on an addition and went with a Mitsubishi/Trane mini split system, the Cadillac of heat pumps $$$. They love it! And last year my brother an MIS, installed his own Pioneer mini split purchased from Home Depot. I purchased directly from Park-Davis because I had many questions and they were VERY helpful. Also a 5% veterans/senior discount, same product. IMO, Pioneer might be more like a Chevy or Oldsmobile??? He loves it!
Most of the compressor units come from China even some Mitsubishi. Mrcool says made in the USA, the compressor is a Tecumseh and has a good reputation among the few I ask that were familiar.
Good stuff! The old unit SEER 12 guzzled about 4,000 watts; I have watt meters on both incoming power lines. The new unit SEER 21.5 with both systems in Turbo mode with a HOT, 98F Outside ~1,600 Watts; I did not shut the rest of the house off for an exact reading. The 100-year-old house is 2,800 sq ft plus an UNcondutioned basement. We have added the maximum possible insulation and all new windows.
Being a split I did the second floor first with hot weather on the way. With ONLY the second-floor unit running the upstairs was fine at 76F, 50% humidity and the first floor Was OK at 82 F, 55% humidity; drawing 800 Watts max, the load varies with solar gain. The big old trees HELP! The unit runs constantly by design, slowing down as needed; lower energy use, and better humidity management. Plus few stops/starts.
Installation
With a bit of luck to have the studs in the right place...EASY PEASY. But the manuals are a bit sketchy on a few details, like how to take the wall unit down after it is hanging??? I hung the unit without any connections to check it out? HOW TO TAKE IT DOWN? A call to my brother and he ran into the same issue and made some claws to release the unit and sent photos.
The biggest help was the EasyBend Lineset Bender, which takes the worry out of kinking a $200 line set.
I did above and beyond standard testing ( basically the Mitsubutsi test schedule) Pressure testing staged up to 300 PSI nitrogen overnight then 500 PSI for one hour. Vacuum testing sub 100 Micron hold for 30 minutes.
My brother did his with a cheap <$100 vacuum pump and the $40 vacuum gauge set from Pioneer. Works fine. Pioneer also sells a $40 flush kit, no vacuum is needed?
The unit is shipped with additional refrigerant, no additional is needed for standard length line sets.
Open the valves, and turn it on.
I own an ancient refrigeration gauge set that goes with my even older Welch 1400 vacuum pump. From 27 years ago... The hose set was not up to the sub 500 Micron vacuum, I used 1/4 inch copper lines.
https://www.pioneerminisplit.com/products/dual-zone-outdoor-section-230v-21-seer-multi-split-air-conditioner-heat-pump
Plus one 12,000 Btu wall mount and one 12,000Btu floor mount plus line sets. $2,143.00 delivered. I have add ons above home depot.
Plus a $65 set of : https://www.supplyhouse.com/Easybend-84381-1-4-to-5-8-EasyBend-Lineset-Bender-Minisplit-Kit-w-13-Mandrels
A used micron vacuum meter from a friend; $40.
Vacuum pump oil $20, needs replacement with each use.
A whole house surge suppressor, $65, Outside disconnect and whip, $10+$10, additional condensate hose, $10 from a big box.
Two stalks of conduit and wire from a friend, now I owe.
Additional labor from my wife; happy (AC cooled) wife= good life...
Yes, it also heats, but my wife and I installed about of about a mile of tubing in the floors and a WM Ultra boiler 95% so not much heating usage, I hope. I did a test and it put out 115 F air...
Outstanding work soldier!
What is DYI?
Very impressed. Thanks for the info.
If i ever get my other projects completed …..
Do Yourself It.
Do yourself in.
Should be DIY... Do it yourself.
“Do Yourself It. “
The Old Skool American way....
I looked at a mini split for my 350 sq ft sunroom.
Putting in a 15k BTU PTAC unit (hotel style) turned out to be a better, cheaper choice, for me. I paid about $750 for the wiring (220v), and $1000 for the unit, delivered.
HAHA!
Drive Yourself Insane.
DYI is what I do instead of DIY.
I snicker that you “did it yourself” - with your HVAC S.I.L. ;)
Still, a good job and it saves a lot to have a well-working system.
—”What is DYI?”
If this AC unit holds up and I have some time...
I may learn to actually look at what I peck out???
Yes, should be DIY, as in DO IT YOURSELF.
Not, Do Yourself In?
—”Putting in a 15k BTU PTAC unit “
I considered terminal units, but insufficient wall space, too much glass and cutting the holes and framing in the exterior wall looked like work to me.
What no back-up generator?
—”I snicker that you “did it yourself” - with your HVAC S.I.L. ;)”
He and our daughter have our three grandkids, he coaches on two soccer teams...
A very busy schedule.
My wife likes the AC on hot summer nights, not waiting for the AC project to come around.
Thinking of the likely FreeRepublic post:
D. Grunt had never been fatally ill before but on Monday he woke up dead!!!
18,000 BTU (9,000 + 9,000) dual zone kit with 10’ to 50’ lines selection. $2k
Install/assemble, open valves, done.
Are mini splits energy efficient?
My electric rates have gone up 30% because Green New Steal.
I would have run the 30 inch vacuum over night as well. I hate air and noncondensables. Other than that
Damn good job!
It’s about all they use in tropical Asian climates. They work great.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.