Mini Split Installation Services

You have three basic options when purchasing an air conditioner for your home – a wall-type AC unit, a central air conditioning system, and a ductless mini-split air conditioner.

A wall or window-type AC is the simplest type with the smallest cooling capacity. You typically need to install a wall-type AC unit for each room that needs air conditioning.

A central Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system distributes air to the entire house through ductwork or interlinked air ducts that connect to a central cooling system. It has indoor and outdoor units, which is more expensive to install and operate than other AC types.

A ductless mini-split air conditioner is a midway type between a wall-mounted AC and a central HVAC system.

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What is a Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner?

Like a wall-type air conditioner, a mini-split AC does not need air ducts to distribute cold air in different areas of your home. It is not bulky and can be quickly installed by an HVAC professional.

Similar to a central HVAC system, it has an indoor and outdoor unit. The indoor evaporator unit absorbs heat and moisture and distributes cold air inside the room. The outdoor condenser unit dispels the heat from your room to the outside air.

You can connect four evaporators to one condenser unit and regulate the temperature of each room.

Mini-split AC units are ideal for multi-family homes in Kauai, Oahu, and Kona. It is also suitable for room extensions or areas such as the basement or garage, where additional ductwork is not feasible.

DIY Installation Not Recommended

Although it is relatively easier to install a mini-split AC unit than a central HVAC system because there’s no need to layout ductwork, DIY mini-split installation is not recommended for these reasons:

You might make the mistake of choosing the wrong AC size and cooling capacity. An AC unit with low cooling capacity will need to cycle harder and longer to cool your room and use more energy. Meanwhile, an air conditioner that is too large will cycle on and off more frequently, making it prone to malfunctions.
Your manufacturer might void the AC unit’s warranty. Check the user manual first as most manufacturers specify the need for a licensed HVAC professional to install the AC unit. Otherwise, they will not honor the warranty if there’s a defect or malfunction.
You might mess up the wiring. The electrical wires cannot touch the moving fan parts, refrigerant tubing, compressor, and other sensitive components.
Refrigerant charging requires certification. It is illegal for you to charge your ductless mini-split with freon. Inevitably, you’d need to hire an HVAC professional with EPA Section 608 certification to charge your AC unit with refrigerant.

Even if it’s legal in your area to install a mini-split AC on your own, there are strict municipal codes for electrical wiring to follow. You also might miss out on other critical aspects of the installation.

Ductless Mini-Split AC Installation

Before purchasing a mini-split AC unit, consult an HVAC professional to give you options and recommendations based on the requirements for cooling your home.

To give you a clear idea, your HVAC technicians will follow these steps in installing a ductless mini-split air conditioner in your home:

Indoor Unit Installation

Your HVAC professionals will select an ideal location in your home, ideally away from direct sunlight, heat sources, electrical noise, and gas lines. They will choose a central location where cold air can flow freely without obstruction.

They will attach the mounting plate to the interior wall, preferably seven feet above the floor.
They will drill a three-inch hole through the wall for the pipes and electrical works.
They will secure the cable wire connections and double-check for correct electrical wiring.
They will bind the drainpipe, power cable, and copper pipes together with electrical tape, run them through the hole, and connect them to their designated spots in the indoor unit.
They will attach the indoor unit to the mounting plate with a three-degree backward tilt so that water can flow freely from the indoor unit to the drain pipe.

Outdoor Unit Installation

After the indoor unit has been correctly installed, your HVAC professionals will find the hole they drilled through the mounting plate and position the outdoor condenser unit within 50 feet.

They will find an ideal location with at least 12 inches of a clear perimeter, shade, and shelter from the wind, dust, traffic, and electrical noise.

Depending on the ground’s finish, they will have to lay a solid concrete pad. Your HVAC technicians will position the concrete pad high enough to keep the outdoor unit elevated from water that may puddle on the ground from snow or rain.
They will secure the outdoor unit to the concrete pad with anchor bolts and a rubber pad in between to minimize vibrations.
Following the manufacturer’s manual, they will connect the indoor and outdoor wiring, fasten the cables with a clamp, and replace the cover.
They will join the indoor and outdoor power cables, connect the power supply to a designated outlet, and trim excess copper pipes.

Finishing Touches

After the outdoor and indoor units have been installed and connected, the HVAC professionals will charge your AC unit with refrigerant.

They will connect a vacuum pump to the service port and turn it on until it reaches a 10mm-Hg vacuum.
They will test all the joints and valves for leaks, remove the vacuum, and replace the service port.
They will attach the cables and pipes to the exterior wall using clamps to ensure that they don’t move or get disconnected.
They will seal the hole in the wall using polyurethane foam to prevent hot air, insects, dirt, and air contaminants from getting through.

After the foam dries, your mini-split AC unit is ready for testing. Your HVAC technicians will not leave until you are fully satisfied with the installation and assured that your AC unit is properly working.