How hard is one of these to install for the layman? Is it worth it to buy a heat pump mini-split as opposed to the A/C only versions even if you already have propane heat? Seems like they are pretty much all heat pumps, plus the tax credits... just seemed kinda dumb to buy heating ability when I already have propane boiler/in-floor heat.
>currently sitting under the cool breeze of my 4 zone diy mrcool pondering the haters boiling in the stew of their own bodily filth
Do it anon
>How hard is one of these to install for the layman?
7/10.
You need HVAC freon loicense, or way to get gas in case you accidentally into the air.
> Is it worth it to buy a heat pump mini-split as opposed to the A/C only versions even if you already have propane heat?
Heatpump is 100% worth it, because it costs about as much as propane to run, but you won't run out of electricity. Depends.
>Seems like they are pretty much all heat pumps
Yes, because they are sold worldwide, and people like to use them for heat in warm places. And even cold.
A valve that turns AC into heatpump is really cheap, like 10 USD on aliexpress, so they tend to install it anyway.
Oh yeah, multi-split is hard. One mini-split - easy.
If you're gonna do it, here are couple suggestions:
1) get copper tubing bender (to avoid kinks)
2) apply refrigeration oil on flaring tool before flaring
3) apply refrigeration oil on thread when tightening nuts.
If you dont have AC oil, you can use engine oil or whatever, just dont use lots of it.
>not using 577 on threads and flange before tightening
enjoy your leak. oiled flares was something boomers did on R12 when it was seen as normal to refill twice a year and no one gave a shit about leaks.
You people are moronic. With proper installation nothing will leak. No need for oil nor loctite.
There is something to be said for a tiny bit of nylog to avoid galling the threads and the mating surface between the flare and the nut.
with proper frickup over time everything will leak, flares are the single most common leak point. its a reason the industry has moved away from them.
You ever see flared brake lines leak after 50 years?
>You ever see flared brake lines leak after 50 years?
Yes, but to your point, it was rust, not a flare that went bad.
Thats why I prefer copper pipe
yes seen original ones fail after 10 years, salt is a b***h.
literally only minisplits use them today.
they used to be everywhere in refrigeration systems, flared filters, flared valves, flared reciever tanks, flared compressor connections. today the only time i use the flare tool is when installing a minisplit, even then i sometimes make a brazed connection for the indoor unit if the flares will end up inside a wall.
>with proper frickup over time everything will leak, flares are the single most common leak point. its a reason the industry has moved away from them.
Oil isn't going to keep a flare mating surface from leaking at 300 psi.
Its some moronic boomer thing. They Put oil everywhere and think its some magic thing when all they to is increasing the fastening Torque.
Nylog, you dumb Black folk. Holy shit PrepHole is shit for brains in the HVAC world apparently
>but you won't run out of electricity
until you do
Viz texas
>you need a loicense
Says fricking who m8? Where do you people get this stuff? The only requirement in existence since 2020 is that you need an EPA 608 or 609 certificate to purchase freestanding non-exempt refrigerant. That's it. So if you buy the precharged units you're done. If you want to save money and buy the much cheaper "contractor minisplit" packages and add your own refrigerant there are two things you can do. You can buy the refrigerant off eBay from the many sellers who don't care, or you can take a $25 open book test on the internet and then you're certified for life to buy whatever refrigerant you want.
Oh man those are easy as frick you just lay it out where it's supposed to go drill some holes to run them lines through and BOOM you're done
>Is it worth it to buy a heat pump mini-split as opposed to the A/C only versions even if you already have propane heat?
All the major brands stopped making cooling-only units years ago. I didn't know anyone still sold them. You should know that mini-splits are shit for heating when it's below 15-20 degrees outside.
As for the tax credits, the max credit is $600 and the unit you put in has to be EnergyStar certified and meet minimum efficiency requirements.
If you want to DIY this I'd say get the system, mount the unit and heads, run the drain and even wire it if you're comfortable doing it. You can run the refrigerant lines too. Then get an HVAC contractor to make and connect the flares, pull the vacuum, and start it up. Make sure whoever you use has the proper flaring tool and torque wrenches.
Also understand that if it breaks down and you have to call for service you'll have to deal with wherever you bought it from to get parts or warranty credit. You'll also be on the hook for labor.
>You should know that mini-splits are shit for heating when it's below 15-20 degrees outside.
Not exactly true. While anything under freezing can make them run worse, they never do worse than just electric heat. They also make systems specific for very cold areas that solve the icing issue with some dedicated heating circuits. If it gets cold enough in your area that you spend days and days under 30*F then why the hell don't you have a wood stove?
flaring tool is very cheap (don't get electric for DIY, buy manual)
vacuum pump is 100 bucks on the low end
most "pros" don't use torque wrenches
if he wants to DIY it's extremely doable with ACs, very low barrier to entry
This is what I did for my uncle. He did the wiring, I did the mounting and pad, and a/c guy did the startup.
And the wagie refrigerant tech will charge so much do turn his two valves that it was a waste of time to do anything yourself. Or they just will refuse to help you at all because you didn't buy the unit from them. HVAC Black folk are the absolute worst about that shit.
A contractor to pull vacuum? Sheeit.
Vacuum pumps pay for themselves the first job. My first AC system replacement on one of my trucks bought the gear and I've done several since. My HVACbro showed me how to R&I compressor/contactor/drier and that's easy too so I'll do the next one having ample soldering torches etc.
Lots of HVAC equipment gets sold via Fecesbook Marketplace like torches, cylinders, vacuum pumps and gauges tho gauges are cheap new.
Following
everybody in this thread seems to think that everyone else in the thread is moronic.
It's PrepHole so the odds are rather good that when people come here with questions easily answered elsewhere. it's because they are too lazy to study seriously and that's the mark of a moron.
Many people in 2023 don't really know how to systematically find information on the internet because they're silly not serious.
To be fair, bots + SEO has ruined the internet for finding information. Modern search engines are very demoralizing.
You didn't answer the question. Who says you need a license? Where?
For handling refrigerants you might need a license. Idk US or EU specifics, because in my country nobody gives a flying frick about gases.
But then again, nobody is gonna snitch so guess buying gas from facebook marketplace would work
>For handling refrigerants you might need a license
you're arguing with an autistic wienergobbler who is trying to make a "point" about how its a certificate rather than a license or some such shit.
These homosexuals for some reason pop up in every HVAC related thread that ever gets posted to this board
speaking of does anybody know which ebay sellers don't require proof of cert to buy 30lb bottles? Heard a few don't
>does anybody know which ebay sellers don't require proof
eBay is cracking down on refrigerant listings. They no longer allow sales of CFCs, HFCs, or HCFCs which is essentially a total ban on refrigerant.
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/hazardous-materials-policy?id=4335
Here's the actual law regarding online sales:
https://www.epa.gov/section608/questions-and-answers-about-refrigerant-sales-restriction
damn I was wondering what happened to all the listings. I just wanna do cars without swapping little bottles all the time.
ebay gets gayer every fricking day. i was just on there a month or two ago and it was easy to buy refrigerant. fricking hate that place i wish something could replace it.
You'd probably have better luck on FB marketplace or Craigslist.
OP you can buy a mini split with Pre charged from the factory meaning the system is already filled with freon including the lines between the inside unit and outside unit. So you don't need a vacuum pump, freon bottle, gauges, or knowledge on how to charge an ac system. Seeing that you're too stupid to google this I suggest save up your minimum wage for a few years and hire an HVAC tech to install it for you.
I see that most units come pre charged, so if I want diy install, all I need flare tool and vacuum pump?
>hvac wagie immediately on the defensive about how the only reason a diyer could be mad is because they fricked up their install and now need the god of community college wagie tech to bestow his master knowledge of fixing it
Why are you ALL like this? Frick sake. More stereotypical than a darkie that likes fried chicken.
>you need a permit to install a fricking split
what new homosexualry is this
I'm guessing California
next you will need a permit to install a shelf
clown world