mini split leaking?
Andrew Tencer
3 years ago
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sktn77a
3 years agoAndrew Tencer
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Very bad mini split install
Comments (4)not minisplit related but... a metal building with metal studs & fiberglass batts...she is going to have one heck of a utility bill. what I've learned over the years is how highly conductive the metal studs are to the point of derating the fg batts to very low R-values. heat/cold transfers very well from shell to studs. in my hot/humid climate the wall studs condensate through the sheetrock in the late summer. with paneling ...which is thinner..I'd worry about this issue in this small house. the only way we get these homes to perform is to thermally break the walls by putting a foam sheathing board next to studs, under metal siding...and roof. well...there is always foam in the studs/rafter bays but the sheathing is a less cost install. at 1,000 sq ft and two ton minisplit...with all the openings in the paneling tha should have been sealed during the install of the minisplit... I'd run lowest speeds, and seal each opening in the paneling..at each ahu. what is the location of the house? best of luck....See MoreNitrogen leak test of R410A mini split system
Comments (1)Nameplate states pressure used at factory and should be suffecient in the field. I normally rely on vacuum test during evacuation to confirm system is tite and pressure to locate leak. No harm in doing both....See Moredrain opener on mini-split ac??
Comments (19)OP, if you are still reading this, and manage to get the existing drain unplugged, I have some suggestions to keep it from clogging up again if you want to keep trying to use the existing drain to avoid tearing into your walls. Please note two things, however, if you can get to the other end of the pipe or tube in your walls, you stand a good chance of unplugging it. Also note that fixing and painting drywall is a relatively inexpensive process that might allow a more permanent fix by changing to hard pipe or a different flexible tubing type. Make sure that your unit has its drain running out to the same side that the opening in the wall is on. Most of them have the option of draining out either the right or left side, but I have seen them installed such that the condensate runs to one side of the appliance only to have the pigtail drainage tube pass all the way across the back to drain out the hole on the opposite side. Make sure the pigtail has as even a downward slope from the condensate tray into the wall as possible. There should be no upward slope anywhere because it will encourage water and crud accumulation. It should be fairly easy to remove the condensate tray completely for cleaning. (I feel like you are already mostly there if not past that point if you have removed the drain pigtail. Check YouTube for videos.) Use some condensate drain tablets to discourage microbial growth in the tray and the drain lines. Now they are marketing specific products for mini splits rather than having to cut down gel tab and whatnot products designed for larger ducted systems. Rectorseal ACTABS DMSS is one product and PurCool Green Mini Strips are another. Note that if you take the main cover off and remove the condensate tray you will probably have great access to the entire squirrel cage blower to clean that with a vacuum cleaner and great access to the coils that can then be cleaned with a foam cleaner if visible lint is caught on that. If no visible lint is in the coils, you can spray on a neutral to slightly alkaline pH coil cleaner like Nu Calgon Evap Pow’r -C. If you keep the crud out of the coils and blower tube, it will probably help keep the condensate drain system more clear and condensate flowing....See MorePurchased new AC mini-split, but found out condenser is 4 years old
Comments (3)The Serial number of the unit in question doesn't lie, but those offering up excuses after the fact probably will. Either to save their own face, soothe your feelings or a little of both. Bigger companies with ample warehouse space often times buy up large quantities of equipment. America is currently built by selling as much of a particular item all at once instead of 'one at a time'. They do this because they marginally get better prices than buying just one thing at a time. Why every time you see an infomercial selling something they tell you can get 2 for the price of 1, for an additional fee. You buy in bulk and you get a marginally better price for buying more. However, this isn't as great as it seems when it comes to HVAC equipment & warranty related trouble. The more space you have the more over head you have so unless you are actually moving the equipment (which often times does not occur) you wind up with a warehouse full of old equipment. Hopefully this doesn't mean used or some other situation. Plus on top of all that taxes on that in stock equipment take a good bite out of what kind of deal they think they are getting by buying in bulk. If they are moving the equipment (only then) does it work. People see this type of thing a mile away... (when it becomes all about selling new equipment) then everything and any thing becomes a case for replacing the equipment instead of repairing it. While true the warranty would still be valid, in theory you can read any manufacturer warranty fine print and 'if' a start up date can not be determined said manufacturer will only give you probably not more than 90 days from the date code within the serial number. It might be as little as 60 days from the date code. So as an example: if the unit was made in April 2015, was properly registered and installed in 2019 the recorded time is in the hands of manufacturer and their validation systems. If you lose that start up paper work, you could get swindled out of it. Because the serial number doesn't lie, that is why. If the unit was not registered and installed in 2019 the warranty is reduced to 5 years which should be 2024, but because the serial number doesn't lie and there is no record of when the install occurred other than paper work. Well this is how people lose. Under this possible scenario the unit would be out of warranty by the end of this month. (Unit made in 2015, installed in 2019 and not registered... good luck trying to get that honored by Carrier. I wouldn't touch that with a 10 foot pole.) Due to the serial number, they would likely claim you are lying. Carrier equipment is a pain to do any warranty claim for. So the odds are you lose, by default. This is how it works from someone who actually files warranty claims on equipment failures. Circa 2020. I buy equipment only after you put a deposit on it... in most cases 99% of the time it is fresh off the factory floor. On rare occasion it might be 1.5 years old. Meaning instead of current year, it's previous year made. I service the Katy, Texas area....See MoreAustin Air Companie
3 years agoAndrew Tencer
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