Split Air con

So everything started going out of stock at an alarming rate last night saying nov or Jan 22 for delivery so I quickly grabbed this pack https://www.aircondirect.co.uk/p/86...er-and-condenser-wall-mounting-bracket-bundle

Don't think I need the mount but I was panicking there would be nothing left!

Looks easy enough to install looking at a few videos. I'm sure Ill be able to do it and just give the sparky a call to wire it in.

Being just a garden office with single thin wall it should be pretty simple. Only thing I hate doing is drying to mount anything on plasterboard.

Not trying to be alarmist, but I was curious to see what refrigerant this system was using due to it stating no F-gas licence required. Turns out it uses R290 which is commonly known as Propane.

This led me to this article which raises some safety concerns - https://www.racplus.com/news/besa-t...-online-sales-of-propane-ac-units-04-08-2020/ specifically the part about vacuuming the lines to remove air from the system, I don't think the set includes a sealed lineset like the 'Mr Cool' units in the US do, so will be something to consider.

Also taken from the manual
  • The air conditioner contains about 320g (eiQ-9WMINV) or 400g (eiQ-12WMINV) of R290 refrigerant gas.
  • R290 is classed as flammable and as such naked flames and sources of ignition should be kept a safe distance from the unit.
  • Do not install or store in an unventilated space with an area smaller than 18m2 (eiQ-9WMINV) or 28m2 (eiQ-12WMINV) per unit. Smaller room sizes may be suitable if other safety measures are implemented and a risk assessment conducted
The concern here is if you install it in a room smaller than approx 5.2m² for the 12000btu model if the lineset or indoor evaporator were to develop a leak the propane could envelope the room making either a fire risk or being harmful to breathe.

Installed correctly it should be perfectly okay and R290 is actually a very efficient refrigerant.
 
Not trying to be alarmist, but I was curious to see what refrigerant this system was using due to it stating no F-gas licence required. Turns out it uses R290 which is commonly known as Propane.

This led me to this article which raises some safety concerns - https://www.racplus.com/news/besa-t...-online-sales-of-propane-ac-units-04-08-2020/ specifically the part about vacuuming the lines to remove air from the system, I don't think the set includes a sealed lineset like the 'Mr Cool' units in the US do, so will be something to consider.

Also taken from the manual
  • The air conditioner contains about 320g (eiQ-9WMINV) or 400g (eiQ-12WMINV) of R290 refrigerant gas.
  • R290 is classed as flammable and as such naked flames and sources of ignition should be kept a safe distance from the unit.
  • Do not install or store in an unventilated space with an area smaller than 18m2 (eiQ-9WMINV) or 28m2 (eiQ-12WMINV) per unit. Smaller room sizes may be suitable if other safety measures are implemented and a risk assessment conducted
The concern here is if you install it in a room smaller than approx 5.2m² for the 12000btu model if the lineset or indoor evaporator were to develop a leak the propane could envelope the room making either a fire risk or being harmful to breathe.

Installed correctly it should be perfectly okay and R290 is actually a very efficient refrigerant.

Thanks for the info. Little bit worrying but my rooms 5x4 so should hopefully be OK. It's all just been delivered, if I get it all out the box and it looks terrifying I'll be making some calls
 
So everything started going out of stock at an alarming rate last night saying nov or Jan 22 for delivery so I quickly grabbed this pack https://www.aircondirect.co.uk/p/86...er-and-condenser-wall-mounting-bracket-bundle

Don't think I need the mount but I was panicking there would be nothing left!

Looks easy enough to install looking at a few videos. I'm sure Ill be able to do it and just give the sparky a call to wire it in.

Being just a garden office with single thin wall it should be pretty simple. Only thing I hate doing is drying to mount anything on plasterboard.

I have a dual-split 2x 12000btu ElectriQ system that's very similar to that, although it uses R32 gas, not the propane type. It works very well & is good for the money. Unless anything's changed you will need a vacuum pump (can get Chinese ones on eBay that work ok), vacuum hose/gauge & adapter to pull a vacuum on the lines to remove moisture & test for leaks, prior to releasing the refrigerant.
 
I have a dual-split 2x 12000btu ElectriQ system that's very similar to that, although it uses R32 gas, not the propane type. It works very well & is good for the money. Unless anything's changed you will need a vacuum pump (can get Chinese ones on eBay that work ok), vacuum hose/gauge & adapter to pull a vacuum on the lines to remove moisture & test for leaks, prior to releasing the refrigerant.
Good to know they work well. It does say in the manual you can do it by just venting some gas with an Allan key but yeah considering getting a cheap pump maybe.

Would I need different adaptors if it's r290 refrigerant rather than r32?
 
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R32 was - it's all in nightmare imperial measurements.
Good to know they work well. It does say in the manual you can do it by just venting some gas with an Allan key but yeah considering getting a cheap pump maybe.

Would I need different adaptors if it's r290 refrigerant rather than r32?

Yeah I guess you can do it that way - effectively flushing/purging the lines through & as it's only propane a bit of release to the atmosphere doesn't really matter, it's a bit of a ropey way of doing things though & you could still have some moisture in the system & a reduced lifespan.
Having said that, expectations align with the price & if you wanted it to definitely last for 10+ years of solid use you'd probably just pay more & get a proper not-generic-Chinese system from Mitsubishi or similar & fit properly according to the specs - for a DIY fit that in the UK ultimately won't be used much, purging with the gas is probably fine.

Check out some AC service sites & Amazon - should be able to find the service port thread size for r290 & if it's shared with other gas types. I can't remember what the pump/hose/R32 fitting thread size was but can dig it out - it's all nightmare imperial sizes :p
 
@soundb0y be interested in how you get on with that unit, I have been looking at one of those models if the ceiling fans aren't good enough this year.

Well it's all up and installed. Was really simple to be honest just needs 2 of you to get it up on the bracket. Took a couple of hours with all the messing about.

Didn't use a vacuum pump just charged it by venting gas with an allan key as per the manual. Only been on an hour but its blowing lovely and cold.

Great to be able to set it from my phone also.
 
Well it's all up and installed. Was really simple to be honest just needs 2 of you to get it up on the bracket. Took a couple of hours with all the messing about.

Didn't use a vacuum pump just charged it by venting gas with an allan key as per the manual. Only been on an hour but its blowing lovely and cold.

Great to be able to set it from my phone also.

How loud is the outdoor unit? How far from a window would it need to be before you'd not notice it in a quiet room?
 
How loud is the outdoor unit? How far from a window would it need to be before you'd not notice it in a quiet room?

To be honest I'd not given the outdoor unit noise a second thought. I can't hear it through my portacabin style walls over the pc fan.
 
I've been looking at a Panasonic 2.5kw split unit and have a quick question, does the vent unit have to vent outside or would it be ok in a loft?

It can be installed on the wall but was hoping it being in the loft would make it easier to install and maintain.
 
I've been looking at a Panasonic 2.5kw split unit and have a quick question, does the vent unit have to vent outside or would it be ok in a loft?

It can be installed on the wall but was hoping it being in the loft would make it easier to install and maintain.

If your after ceiling concealed then this can go into the loft then ducted to to your room with entering and return grills.

The condenser will need to go outside.
 
If your after ceiling concealed then this can go into the loft then ducted to to your room with entering and return grills.

The condenser will need to go outside.

Ah ok so the condenser unit HAS to be outside, was wondering if it could be inside because we get some really strong winds due to being sideways onto an open field but I guess they'll check that with a survey.

Cheers for the reply
 
Ah ok so the condenser unit HAS to be outside, was wondering if it could be inside because we get some really strong winds due to being sideways onto an open field but I guess they'll check that with a survey.

Cheers for the reply

Personally I would not recommend putting the condenser in the loft due to the temperatures during the summer will hit your efficiency and worse your performance hard and chances are being inverter driven this would probably shut down on temp.

Some did in the past put condensers in the loft but were invariably direct online.
 
I don't use the loft so not sure how hot it gets but it does make sense what you are saying.

Costco have a 2.5kw Panasonic unit for £1650 installed so was thinking it was worth investing in just for me being able to sleep of an evening
 
I don't use the loft so not sure how hot it gets but it does make sense what you are saying.

Costco have a 2.5kw Panasonic unit for £1650 installed so was thinking it was worth investing in just for me being able to sleep of an evening

Definitely worth the investment :D
 
Why are you worried about wind? The external unit is housed in a metal box designed for far harsher environments than the UKs relatively tame weather.
 
unless I misread for a 2.5Kw £1650 is way overpriced

would def recommend getting something though

Depends on the model they are offering - if it’s the Etherea then the 2.5kw is £828 on Saturn Sales so they are will be charging £800 to install and I assume this will include pipe work and brackets.
 
Still sounds expensive. I had an installer quote me £300 to fit my split system. Said he could provide and install a mitsubishi 3.5k system for about 1k.

I cancelled him in the end and did it myself, took a few hours and nothing too complicated. Getting the unit on the bracket was the hardest hit.
 
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