Installing a Mini-Split on an Interior Wall

Choosing a mini-split system to cool just one area or zone of a structure is often seen as a cost-saving measure for many homeowners and business operators. One study of a Pacific Northwest power company’s customers indicated that people could save up to 50% off their heating bills with a Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioning & Heating System. On the other coast, people in Maine reportedly took advantage of a state grant to save as much as 75% on fuel costs by installing a mini-split.

Oftentimes, these systems are installed on exterior walls, particularly if only one room or area is being treated for climate control. This way, the compressor unit can be located on the other side of the wall from the indoor unit which pushes out the cooled or heated air.

One man in Vermont decided to install his mini-split unit on an interior wall of his home. As he explains in an article from The Journal of Light Construction, this choice resulted in two initial obstacles: The line set would need to be run at a distance of many, many feet before it could exit the structure. And the drain line, which directs condensation away from the interior unit so that it can empty outside, would be merged with the house’s plumbing waste drain – which would require a trap so that sewer gases would not infiltrate the home.

As the homeowner looked for instructions from the manufacturer of his mini-split on how to work around or deal with the above issues, he found that they simply weren’t provided. It appeared that the manufacturer had not anticipated such an installation.

So, the homeowner decided to call his wholesaler, who walked him through the process in a 15-minute phone call. He goes on to describe in detail how he completed the installation here.

Questions about your mini-split system – or any other kind of AC system? Contact AC World today. We’re here to help our customers get the fullest possible benefit out of the products they buy from us.