Ductless Mini Splits

[Marco G.]

I am looking into installing a a three zone ductless mini split system in a condo in Los Angeles that will eventually be my personal residence.  Can anyone share their experiences with such systems?  For those doing flips, what has buyer reaction to the units been?  I'm concerned about the aesthetic aspect being a turn off for potential future buyers or tenants.

The plan is to run the tubing behind existing crown molding that will be removed, modified, and reinstalled with the tubes running behind it.  There would be multiple bends in the lines as a result, any concern there?

Additionally, the unit has existing radiant ceiling heating, is that better?  Any concern with disabling that?

Any advice on where to install the compressor?  Current plan is to mount outside on a wall off the balcony that faces an alley.

Appreciate any insights you all can offer!

[Account Closed]

Where are you draining the condensation to?

[Marco G.]

@Account Closed The condenser will be a few feet away from a downspout, was thinking about patching it into that.

[Account Closed]

Originally posted by @Marco G.:

@Account Closed The condenser will be a few feet away from a downspout, was thinking about patching it into that.

Marco, my understanding is that each fan/blower would produce condensation that needed to be drained.  I looked in 2005 at these for a 2/2 condo.  First it needed two condensers, a 12000 and a 6000 Btu for a 925 space.  One fan on master BR wall shared with a kitchen and the other unit in the living area above the kitchen pass thru.  I've seen units like this that have fish tank tubing endind over the sink to drain.  One contractor said he could drain to the washing machine drain hidden in the closet but the living area unit would be run along the wall for about 20 feet.  He could hide it but then I'd need to pump the water from the living room to the kitchen.  At that time I was looking at about $6,000-9,000 vs. the window unit and a portable one in the master at a cost of about $600.  This is n Hawaii that has humidity and even the window unit drains out into a large tub on the lanai that has to be emptied often.

They do have a lot of these in Hawaii houses but then they can drain direct to the outside.  I think they are pretty unobtrusive.

[Richard Fields]

I mount them on outer walls and run condensate lines through the wall to the outside

[Richard Fields]

Mount condensing unit someplace convenient to run refrigerant lines (which you don't want too many bends in) and also where the noise won't bother the occupants, ex. Under a bedroom window

[Rick Wang]

We usually have them run over windows. Cold air sinks. Also the framing above windows are reinforced. 

If your talking a hot/cold unit, that depends on your area. The hot is very good for my neck of the woods- it works the AC pump in reverse, so instead of pumping the heat outside (for cold mode) it pumps the heat inside. 

[Marco G.]

@Richard Fields Do you think 5-6 bends would be too much?  This would be necessary to go along walls to get to bedrooms.  Length would probably be ~35 feet from condensing unit.

Getting a second opinion tomorrow.

How is the noise?  I am going to have to get permission from condo association for the outside mounting as well, but it's a 3-story 7 unit self-managed building so not anticipating any issues on that front.

[Richard Fields]

Try not to make the bends too sharp. When you can, go 45 degrees instead of 90. The mini splits are a little quieter then the bigger condensing units.

[Kiersten Vance]

Marco G.

We installed mini split units into two of our one bedroom apartments in Loma Linda. These had flat roofs which made installing central air costly. We have one blower in the living and one in the bedroom and it keeps the units nice and cold. Our tenants love them. The condenser we mounted on the roof with very few bends and turns to run to the two blowers on the same wall.

Why do you want mini split instead of central? We figured central became cheaper once you had a few independent blowers in each unit.

[Marco G.]

Thanks @Richard Fields.  I don't know that 45 degrees will be possible as intending to go behind crown molding, and all bends are 90 degrees...

Second opinion ended up just being a salesman with a pitch and no info, so still seeking out options.

@Kiersten Vance - no existing duct work or attic to put duct work.  Middle condo unit between a top and bottom unit. Who did you use/what was ball park cost?

[Richard Fields]

I've never used them in any of my property's, they all have hydronics. I've worked on them though, and people seem to like them

[Richard Fields]

If you have to use 90s, try to use long sweep 90s. You want to try to not have too many places for refrigerant oil to pool up

[Kiersten Vance]

There was no attic to put ductwork in. Would have had to install drop ceilings for ducts. We used a one man shop (not a large company) and the cost was $3700 for install and minisplits. It was a dual zone system with two 12,000 BTU blowers. 

Good luck!

[Paul M.]

They are great, low maintenance, easy to install.   Why not keep the radiant ceiling heat too, as a backup or whatever?    Use ductless for cooling.   Never seen radiant ceiling heat (I have radiant floor), sounds interesting.

[Enes A.]

HVAC professionals are quoting me in the 9k$ for a mini split installation in Seattle... This is weird given that the condenser and mini splits cost 1k$. They're basically billing 8k$ for one day of work approximately. 1k$/hour essentially.

Does anyone have a good contact for installation ?