UK AC At Home Anyone?

[LeeH]

Anybody have AC?

I’m looking to fit one in the bedroom as working 12h days/shifts is not pleasant on 2 hours sleep.

I will install myself and pull in a favour from the fridge boys/contractor at work to commission as they are F gas registered.

1st choice was a cheaply generic unit for 500, but Mitsubishi do a nice Zen unit that seems to get a lot of praise and the Black looks better in the house.

Thoughts? Dakin seems to be the market leader followed my Mitsubishi.

Mitsubishi Electric BLACK MSZ-EF25VG/MUZ-EF25VG 2.5kW 9,000btu R32 Zen Inverter Wall Mounted System

Mitsubishi Electric BLACK MSZ-EF25VG/MUZ-EF25VG 2.5kW 9,000btu R32 Zen Inverter Wall Mounted System

www.airconditioningworld.co.uk

IQool Plus 9000 BTU Smart A+++ Wall Split Air Conditioner with Heat Pump and 5-Meter Pipe Kit Included iQool9Plus | Appliances Direct

Buy IQool Plus 9000 BTU Smart A+++ Wall Split Air Conditioner with Heat Pump and 5-Meter Pipe Kit Included iQool9Plus from Appliances Direct - the UK's leading online appliance specialist

www.appliancesdirect.co.uk

 

[littlespark]

We’ve all got AC in the house…. 230v 50Hz ???



Oh I see.



“Damnit Spock, I’m an electrician, not a air con engineer”

 

[plugsandsparks]

Fujitsu have a small form factor if you are trying to squeeze it above a door or window.

Wall Mount | PRODUCTS | Split Systems | FUJITSU GENERAL United Kingdom

Wall Mount | PRODUCTS | Split Systems | FUJITSU GENERAL United Kingdom

www.fujitsu-general.com

If you have an account at Wolseley, you can get them from there.
As for install, if you can get it on an outside wall, condensate can escape under gravity, otherwise you will need a pump which significantly increases the cost and time to install. Short pipework runs are best and outdoor unit is best at a height of ground to 8ft high, otherwise its much harder to install/maintain

 

[Mike Johnson]

Most units for self install come pre-charged with gas, so only a matter of connecting the inside and outside units together and opening the valves, condensate as said above can be a problem if the inside unit is not mounted on an external wall, other than that it not difficult.

 

[pirate]

I assisted a friend in installing a wall-mounted AC system in his house last year. It was a simple job, and the pre-finished pipework was easy to connect. No need for a special engineer as it was pre-charged with either propenae or butane as the refrigerant. He reported to me this morning that it is coping admirably in the current hot weather. I must say i was impressed with the overall quality of both the inside and outside units, but of course, with pre-formed pipework it's important to get youe distances correct. He bought the unit from aircondirect.co.uk and here is a shot of the manual. I believe it was the 12,ooo unit we installed.

 

[LeeH]

Crap, totally forgot about the condensate but I can get a little diaphragm pump from work. It cannot go on the outside unfortunately.

I intend to install the pipework through some soil pipe to match the downpipes/vent pipe so can run a flexi down that.

Warranty requires fgas cert, this will cost me a crate of beer so I will install myself and they can commission for me.

Thanks all, I’ll keep shopping about the these prices are lower than the contractor can supply at cost which he was surprised at.

 

[plugsandsparks]

An alternative for condensate run, if its on an internal wall you can run the pipe work on the other side of the wall and box in. This is how i have it as on the other side of the wall is just a walk in wardrobe so i have hidden all the pipework in the wardrobe. Condensate pumps vary in design from the ones that run continuously and can run even if there is no condensate, to the small units that collect small amounts in a chamber and when the float switch operates it then dumps it in one go.
I prefer these but they are not cheap

Aspen Maxi Lime Condensate Pump Only

The Aspen Maxi Lime pump is designed for larger units & humid environments.

www.kooltech.co.uk

 

[plugsandsparks]

ooopps wrong one

mini lime silent+ 2018

Aspen Silent+ mini lime condensate pump is designed around a ‘total system approach’ and includes many features to create a truly silent system. Perfect for offices and meeting rooms where silence is important

www.kooltech.co.uk

 

[oscar21]

I got one a few years ago, I installed it myself as it was a quick connect one. I don't think you can get the type I got anymore because the air con guys threw a fit about them apparently. It was this sort of connector on it.

just plug and play, £450 and its been one of the best investments I've made, but I'm currently building an extension where I put it and it will have to move soon, not sure how you gas them up again

The supposed quick connect ones nowadays seem to still need vaccing out even though they are pre gassed.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Never had a problem with my pre-gassed split unit, still working over twenty years later and never had to re-gas or vacuum out.

 

[Petej999]

Never had a problem with my pre-gassed split unit, still working over twenty years later and never had to re-gas or vacuum out.

How do you intend to check for leaky pipework? and the correct amount and type of refrigerant?

 

[Mike Johnson]

I don't it still works I leave it alone.

 

[LeeH]

ooopps wrong one

mini lime silent+ 2018

Aspen Silent+ mini lime condensate pump is designed around a ‘total system approach’ and includes many features to create a truly silent system. Perfect for offices and meeting rooms where silence is important

www.kooltech.co.uk

Perfect, it has to be quiet as it in the loft above the bedroom.

The Mitsubishi was on a long lead time so they recommended this.

LG AC09BK-NSJ/AC09BK-UA3 2.5kW 9,000btu R32 Artcool Mirror Heat Pump Wall Mounted System

LG AC09BK-NSJ/AC09BK-UA3 2.5kW 9,000btu R32 Artcool Mirror Heat Pump Wall Mounted System

www.lgairconditioning.co.uk

 

[plugsandsparks]

Saniflo Sanicondens Clim Pack Condensate Pump - 1132

Saniflo Sanicondens Clim Pack Condensate Pump - 1132. Lowest price guaranteed. In stock: Delivery Next Day. Paypal Accepted. Trading Online Since 1999.

www.plumbworld.co.uk

The pump is hidden in the trunking and looks like this pic above when all covered up.

TBH 18 months ago i installed a ASYG09KETA from Fujitsu - straight forward no nonsense unit and the price for indoor and outdoor unit was £416 ex VAT - If you speak to Wolesley even without my discount it will be cheaper than what you a re looking at and TBH Fujitsu do actually have UK support and answer the phone.

I generally fit Fujitsu, Daikin, Toshiba as i get good service and backup,

 

[littlespark]

Just sit in front of the fridge with the door open….

 

[pc1966]

Just sit in front of the fridge with the door open….

No, no! The door should only be open when fetching the cold beer!

 

[freddo]

The pump is hidden in the trunking and looks like this pic above when all covered up.

From the description:

The pump removes harmful acidic water waste from all types of air conditioning units where there are not the conditions necessary for a gravity feed.

Harmful acidic water waste??

 

[James]

From the description:


Harmful acidic water waste??

If you are boiling vinegar in the same room, I suppose the condensate would be acidic, not sure how harmful it would be though!

 

[Julie.]

We put a couple of Panasonic units in (living room and main bedroom) they have been OK for years.

Basically we run the copper pipe, silver soldered it where required and pressurised it for a numer of days, since it held pressure long term, we then evacuated the pipework (~£20 vacuum pump), and opened the valves.

The pre-charged ones indicate what is an acceptable length of pipework (and what size), providing you keep to this and ensure there are no leaks it's pretty easy.

Ours needed condensate drain (which we run down and away from the wall) I believe soe don't.

We have used them for both cooling and heating (when the boiler broke down and we had to wait for parts)

 

[pirate]

Yup, the one I installed came with the pipework already sized and with the terminations all factory fitted, and everything was pre-charged, so plug n play really. Just had to make sure to measure and order the right length of pipework.

 

[LeeH]

Project has begun. Containment is in for the copper but it’s too hot in the loft now so tomorrow is another day.

 

[littlespark]

They’re using cats now for packaging materials???

More eco friendly than polystyrene, I guess

 

[plugsandsparks]

To clean the heat exchanger at the back of the outdoor unit you need room away from the wall to get your hand in with a brush, otherwise it will get blocked being that low down. The lowest i mount them is around 6 inches off the floor as the fan will just suck crap off the floor and draw it into the back of the heat exchanger.
Best height is around 3-4ft off ground for ease of maintenance and less blocking of the fins

 

[pirate]

As @plugsandsparks said, keep it above ground level. Get the custom wall-mount brackets and elevate the unit by a couple of feet, slide it away from the wall on the brackets, and it's easy to clean, won't suck up debris, and will be more efficient with clean air all around. Plus, if you are using pre-made pipes, you have wiggle-room as to where the unit goes.

 

[nicebutdim]

As @plugsandsparks said, keep it above ground level. Get the custom wall-mount brackets and elevate the unit by a couple of feet, slide it away from the wall on the brackets, and it's easy to clean, won't suck up debris, and will be more efficient with clean air all around. Plus, if you are using pre-made pipes, you have wiggle-room as to where the unit goes.

What are the custom brackets like? I only ever see them mounted on cantilevers with zebidees.

 

[pc1966]

What are the custom brackets like? I only ever see them mounted on cantilevers with zebidees.

No idea, but ours were mounted on plastic legs:

 

[pc1966]

They are just moulded plastic extrusions though. I have also seen the channel strut feet used for support and a degree of vibration damping. These sort of things:

Flexi Foot Friday - Big Savings

Flexi Foot Friday Every Friday Big discounts Big savings

directchannel.uk.com

 

[nicebutdim]

No idea, but ours were mounted on plastic legs:
View attachment 108934

I often see big units mounted on feet, but wondered about a neater solution for wall mounting. Periodically ponder the possibility of AC at home and, while I could live with cantilevers, a neater solution would be preferable.

 

[nicebutdim]

These sort of things:

Flexi Foot Friday - Big Savings

Flexi Foot Friday Every Friday Big discounts Big savings

directchannel.uk.com

Yep, that's what I've seen. Used them myself on UPS cabinets and they've been really tight to get on.

 

[pc1966]

I often see big units mounted on feet, but wondered about a neater solution for wall mounting. Periodically ponder the possibility of AC at home and, while I could live with cantilevers, a neater solution would be preferable.

Cantilevers have the advantage the ground is clear below, handy for sweeping out and similar. I guess some channel strut on the wall with anchors or Rawlbolts, etc, would support the arms OK so long as not insanely heavy.

 

[nicebutdim]

Cantilevers have the advantage the ground is clear below, handy for sweeping out and similar. I guess some channel strut on the wall with anchors or Rawlbolts, etc, would support the arms OK so long as not insanely heavy.

I love strut. Think that comes from never having a mecanno set.

Fun fact that I only recently learned... Unistrut is an NI company, with its HQ about 5 miles from me. Started in a shed about 8 miles from here. I always thought the local place was just distribution.

 

[pirate]

Just like the brackets you get for hanging microwave ovens, only bigger. Rubber mountings, slide adjustment, not cheap but all in all good value. Used throughout Spain from my experience, where the A/C units have to be mounted high up on exterior walls. Slots in the upright legs allow for levelling too, and shims/washers under the feet give mini-adjustment.

 

[plugsandsparks]

Done loads of different mountings over the years, it really depends on the overall environment.
For commercially, ideally a purpose built "farm environment" where the ground is concrete, there is no vegetation within a mile, lol, you can run all containment in nice neat runs. A/C units mounted above anticipated snow level, nice spacing between them for servicing, easy access for lugging heavy cylinders and pumps for servicing. Units are bolted to the ground on raised pads.

I have used the custom brackets that can be bought from a/c wholesalers but have found they are largely powder coated steel, over time the coating fails and the brackets go rusty. There advantage is that they are easy to fit for smaller units as there is just a horizontal plate which the cantelever brackets clip onto.

My favourite is unistrut and their ready made cantelever brackets, use M12 Zebs and they can easily take the weight of the largest units. You can get covers and cap ends for unistrut and it does not look too bad for domestic, especially if you size the verticals no higher than the top of the outdoor unit and just a couple of inches below the bracket. Often use resin as well as rawl bolts when i think the bricks/blocks are too brittle.

For the really heavy units 100KG, etc i run the unistrut verticals down to the ground and use ground plates to take the vertical load and rawl bolts into brick/block.

I have used the big foot system
Big Foot Systems Aircon Spares | Air Conditioning Replacement Parts - https://www.airconspares.com/brands/big-foot-systems
But its rare as you are trying to reduce the movement of the outdoor units relative to the pipework, otherwise you can get leaks on the larger 5/8inch pipes and above that dont like to move much.

 

[pc1966]

I love strut. Think that comes from never having a mecanno set.

I love strut as well, and I had a Meccano set!

The original and genuine sort using 5/32" BSW screws and 'odd bent' wire screwdriver.

EDIT:This sort of thing:

36 Screwdriver Zinc Original

Sales of Meccano parts, spares, sets & kits. New reproduction & Pre-Owned Original Metal Meccano parts. Meccano in Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Zinc & Plastic. Brass parts. Meccano for Juniors and Adults. Build & Play. Speed Play Meccano. Meccano Nuts Bolts and Washers.

www.meccanospares.com

 

[Mike Johnson]

Mine are mounted at about 150mm above ground, about 75mm off a wall and have been working for over twenty years without problems, and without an expensive annual service, just give them a brush out when I remember, which is not often in fact I can't remember the last time I did this.

 

[James]

Fitting a 3 way split system this weekend at home.
got wall mount bracket for outdoor unit, will post some pics when done.
room 1 3.5Kw
room 2 and 3 are smaller so 2.5kw unit in each.
with a 7.5kw outdoor unit.

 

[LeeH]

To clean the heat exchanger at the back of the outdoor unit you need room away from the wall to get your hand in with a brush, otherwise it will get blocked being that low down. The lowest i mount them is around 6 inches off the floor as the fan will just suck crap off the floor and draw it into the back of the heat exchanger.
Best height is around 3-4ft off ground for ease of maintenance and less blocking of the fins

I have some feet on their way already

I was given a wall bracket but did not want to drill into the render more than I needed too.