Do it Yourself: Mini Split

Mini splits allow homeowners to cool only the rooms they use.

Mini split air conditioners are efficient, single-room systems that cool single rooms as hot air rises. Unlike larger HVAC systems, mini splits require no ductwork. But mini splits don't fit in windows like more conventional units, and the only visible part in the room is the blower vent. The condenser lies outside the house and pumps coolant through a small tube to the vent inside the home.

Things You'll Need

• Concrete or stone pad
• Mini split condenser
• Drill
• 2-inch hole-cutting blade
• Condenser cable
• PVC tubing
• Electrical wiring
• Stud finder
• Screwdriver bit
• Caulk gun with caulk

Instructions

1. Place the condenser near the home on the pad. Remove any brush from the area as the condenser must have a 12-inch clearance on all sides.

2. Place the hole-cutting blade on the drill. Cut a hole in the outer wall of the home. Drill a corresponding hole inside the house.

3. Thread the condenser cable through the hole and into the house.

4. Pull the condenser cable upward inside the room to where you will hang the vent. The mini split vent should be six feet off the floor or higher.

5. Thread the PVC tubing and the electrical wiring through the hole.

6. Find the studs on the wall where you will hang the vent. Screw the vent mount plate onto the wall.

7. Attach the top of the mini split vent onto the mount. Attach the PVC tubing to the drain. Screw the warm and cold condenser attachments from the cable to their corresponding valves on the vent. Plug the electrical coupling into the vent. Each model comes with slightly different components for each of these couplings, so refer to your model's directions for the exact placement of each component.

8. Press the mini split vent in place so that it locks onto the wall mount.

9. Attach the hoses to the condenser unit outside the house. Plug the electrical line into the unit. Close the outside condenser unit. Leave the PVC hose hanging downward to drain the condensation from the vent.

10. Caulk the area between the hoses and the two-inch hole to prevent insects and vermin from entering the house.

Tips & Warnings

• Place the condenser unit outside the home as close to the vent as possible.

• Most mini split units require high-voltage wiring. Building codes require that a licensed electrician connects the condenser unit to the home's electrical system.

References

• Kingersons.com: Installation Guide for Mini Split AC's
• This Old House: How to Install a Mini-Split Air Conditioner