Steps to Install a Split System Air Conditioner

An air conditioner is a great appliance to own especially in the summer and for those who live in tropical climates in order to ensure that the home remains cool and comfortable by making the temperatures tolerable. They have added advantages in that they are quite easy to install and their remarkable heat efficiency has made them a great fit in recent years. However, many people do not know how to install it and the information pertaining to the same is quite scanty. Often, some are not willing to engage the services of a professional installer due to factors such as financial constraints hence they opt to do it by themselves. The paucity of information regarding the procedural steps to be followed has made it an arduous task considering the variations in manufacturing. This article shall proceed to simplify this by enumerating the several distinct steps to installing a split system air conditioner.

  • Removing Any Other Previously Installed Unit
Technician is checking air conditioner

The old unit should be removed to create ample space for the new split system air conditioner. This avoids duplicity while ensuring that the new unit will be installed seamlessly.

  • Mounting the Indoor Unit

At the outset, the identification of the location is very crucial. In order to connect the indoor unit with the outdoor unit, a hole has to be made to make a way for the connecting pipes. Many experts have therefore emphasized the need to ensure that every installer has to be very cognizant of this fact as they opt for a specific location of installation. The unit should be mounted at a considerable height to enhance the circulation of air. Preferably, this should be 7ft off the floor and ideally 7ft on either side of the unit to ensure that there is the unfettered flow of air devoid of any obstacles. It is great if the location chosen is away from direct sunlight or any area susceptible to potential gas leaks. The units should also be installed away from any heat source or any appliance or fixture with the capability of producing electrical disturbances, as they would be detrimental to the unit. The mounting plate should then be fastened against the wall where the unit is installed with the use of high-quality tapping screws.

  • Drilling Holes

This is done to create the pathway for the pipes to connect the indoor unit to the outdoor unit. Sufficient care should be taken to ensure that the path employed has not been previously used and a slant is essential for better drainage.

  • Insulating Pipes

These pipes should be insulated as a precautionary measure to avoid any dangers hence this step should never be bypassed as this could have fatal consequences. However, it is prudent to note that most of the lines nowadays are pre-insulated hence making it easier.

  • Verification of Electrical Wiring

This is done to ensure that the wires are well connected to all the terminals and that the wiring on the unit resembles the manufacturer’s illustration that accompanied the air conditioner.

  • Ensuring the Unit is Perfectly Connected to the Mounting Plate

It is a simple task to ensure that the unit is not loosely attached. It merely entails the connection of the female connections on the unit to the male units on the mounting plate.

Other additional steps

The installation is quite technical. It further involves installing the outside condenser and similarly, it should be positioned in areas without any alarming conditions such as excessive heat and dust. It is placed on a concrete pad. It is then firmly attached with strong bolts to curtail any instances of unnecessary vibration. Just like in the indoor unit, you should confirm that the wiring is done well and in conformity to the illustration as provided in the manual. Finally, the indoor unit is connected with the outdoor unit with the use of flare nuts. The air in the refrigeration circuit should be totally sucked or vacuumed to ensure that there is no remaining humidity. Clamping the pipes is also vital to ensure that they do not fall off or become loose. The hole created should then be sealed to avoid penetration of any harmful objects, insects, or any other harmful naturally occurring elements.

Clearing the Site and Testing

This leaves the workspace tidy as you proceed to test the unit after connecting it to a power supply to determine whether it is functioning optimally without any technical glitches or instances of malfunction.

As depicted above, it is a very complex process but this article has summarized the basic steps of installation of a split system air conditioner hence you stand to be properly guided.