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How to Install a Split System Air

Conditioner
Co-authored by wikiHow Staff
Updated: February 5, 2020 | References

A split system air conditioner is a great option for keeping your home cool and comfortable
in the summer months. This type of A/C is ductless, so all you have to do is install the
cooling unit inside and the compressor and condenser unit outside, then run piping and a
power cable between the units. If you don’t want to hire a professional to install a split
system air conditioner and you have some experience with plumbing and electrical work,
you can install the unit on your own. Each air conditioning unit is unique to its manufacturer,
but the general installation process is the same.

Part
1 Setting up the Indoor Unit

1 Select an unobstructed location on your interior wall to mount the

indoor unit. You'll need to cut a hole through the wall to feed the pipes from
the indoor unit to the outdoor unit, so make sure the location you choose will
allow you to do so. Choose a spot away from direct sunlight and heat sources for
the best results. Mount the unit 7 feet (2.1 m) off the floor and ensure there’s at
least 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) of open space on every side of the unit to allow for
proper airflow.[1]
Choose a location with studs to ensure the wall is strong enough to hold the
weight of the unit.
Install the unit at least 3.3 feet (1.0 m) away from antennas and power or
connecting lines that are used for television, radio, home security systems,

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intercoms, or telephones. The electrical noise from these sources could

cause operational problems for your air conditioner.
Avoid locations where gas may leak or where oil mist or sulfur exists.

Tip: Choose a central location for the indoor unit where the cool air can easily
flow through your home, such as in the living room.

2 Secure the mounting plate to the interior wall. Hold the mounting plate
against the wall where you want to install the indoor unit. Use a level to make
sure it is both horizontally and vertically level. Use a pencil to mark the locations
of the screw holes, remove the plate, then drill a hole into the wall where each
screw will go.[2]
Position the plate so it matches up with the holes, insert plastic anchors into
the holes, and secure the plate to the wall with tapping screws.

3 Drill a 3 in (7.6 cm) hole through the wall so you can feed the pipes
outside. Make a mark in the center of the hole in the mounting plate. Use a
keyhole saw or a drill with a hole-cutting attachment to create a circular 3 in
(7.6 cm) opening through the wall that slopes slightly downward toward the
ground to ensure adequate drainage.[3]
Make sure there are no pipes or wires behind the wall before drilling or
cutting the hole.

4 Check the electrical connections on the indoor unit. Lift the A/C unit’s
front panel and remove the cover. Make sure the cable wires are connected
to the screw terminals and that the wiring matches the diagram that came with
the unit.

5 Run the pipes and cables through the hole in the wall, then connect
them to the unit. Secure the included copper pipes, power cable, and drain
pipe together with electrical tape. Place the drain pipe on the bottom to ensure a
free flow of water. Run the pipes and cable through the hole in the wall, then
secure them to the designated spots on the indoor unit as directed by the
instruction manual.
Each line comes pre-insulated, so you don’t have to worry about adding extra
insulation.
Do your best to minimize how much the pipes and cable bend to ensure that
the unit performs well.
Make sure that the drainage pipe allows water to drain in an appropriate

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place. See the instruction manual included with your kit for more information.

6 Secure the indoor unit to the mounting plate. To attach the air conditioner
to the wall, simply align the female connections on the back of the unit with
the male connections on the mounting plate and press firmly to secure the unit in
place. Make sure the unit tilts backward 2-3 degrees so that water can flow out of
the drain pipe.[4]
It may help to have a friend hold the unit in place while you secure the
connections.

Part
2 Installing the Outdoor Condenser

1 Position the outdoor unit away from any heavily trafficked, dusty, or hot
areas. Find the hole you drilled through the mounting plate for the interior
unit and position the exterior unit within 50 feet (15 m) so the piping and cable
can easily be attached.[5] Choose a location with at least 12 inches (30 cm) of
space surrounding its perimeter to ensure proper functioning. If possible, select a
shady location that’s sheltered from the wind in addition to dust and traffic to keep
your unit functioning at its best.
Make sure that no antenna of a radio or television is within 10 feet (3.0 m) of
the outdoor condenser.

2 Lay a concrete pad on the ground. Don’t place the outdoor unit directly on
the ground, as it’s heavy and can shift around on dirt or rocks. It’s necessary
to install the condenser on a concrete pad, which you can find at home
improvement stores. Position the pad where you want to install the unit and use a
level to make sure it’s flat and even.[6]

Tip: Situate the concrete pad so that it’s high enough to keep the unit out of
any water that may puddle on the ground due to rain or snow.

3 Secure the outdoor unit on top of the concrete pad. Lay a rubber cushion
on top of the pad to minimize vibration, then set the outdoor condenser unit
on top of the pad. Secure the unit to the concrete with anchor bolts.[7]

Check the electrical wiring in the outdoor unit. Remove the cover on the

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4 condenser. Refer to the unit’s wiring diagram in the instruction manual and
make sure the wires are connected as the diagram suggests. Make any
adjustments as necessary.
Fasten the cables with a cable clamp and replace the cover.

5 Connect the piping and cable to the outdoor unit. Use flare nuts to secure
the 2 copper pipes from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit as per the
instruction manual. Connect the power cable that runs from the indoor unit to the
outdoor unit as well.
Finally, connect the power supply to a designated outlet.
If necessary, you can trim the copper pipes to eliminate excess.

Part
3 Completing the Project

1 Bleed the air and humidity from the refrigerant circuit. Remove the caps
from the 2-way and 3-way valves and from the service port and connect a
vacuum pump hose to the service port. Turn the vacuum on until it reaches an
absolute vacuum of 10mm Hg. Close the low pressure knob and then turn off the
vacuum.
Test all of the valves and joints for leaks, then disconnect the vacuum.
Replace the service port and caps.

2 Affix the piping to the wall with clamps. To ensure the pipes and cables
don’t move around or become disconnected, attach them to the exterior wall
of your home using the clamps that came with the kit. Follow the directions in the
manual to ensure the clamps are spaced adequately.

3 Seal up the hole in the wall using expanding polyurethane foam. Spray
expanding polyurethane foam into the hole you drilled to feed the cable and
piping through the wall. Make sure the hole is completely sealed to prevent hot
air or insects from getting through.
Let the foam dry as per the instructions on the label before turning on your air
conditioning.

4 Turn on the unit and enjoy the cool air! All that’s left to do is to start the
A/C, which you can do from the indoor unit. It should only take a minute or 2

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for cool air to start blowing into your home.[8]

Refer to the instruction manual if you have any trouble operating your new air
conditioner.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I install new split air conditioner without using a vacuum pump?

Community Answer

No, you can't, because the vacuum pump is used to remove unwanted air and
water vapor from the air conditioning system. Unavailability of a vacuum pump
can lead to major issues in the AC.

Question

How do I do indoor to outdoor wiring?

Community Answer

Refer to the unit’s wiring diagram and make sure the cable wires are connected
as the diagram suggests. Following the manufacturer's instructions for wiring is
crucial.

Question

Can the outside unit be installed on the wall of the house instead of on the
ground?

Community Answer

Yes; most unit manufacturers have brackets available specifically for this.

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Question

Can I uninstall Split AC and take it to another location for re-installation

without any loss of its efficiency?

Community Answer

If you have the proper knowledge, then yes. If not, then some issues may arise,
such as leaked refrigerant, etc.

Question

Does the length of the gas pipe affect the functionality or capacity of the spilt
AC unit? For example, does longer length mean a reduced capacity?

Community Answer

Yes. There is certainly capacity derating as you extend the pipe beyond the
recommended length. To have an idea on how much capacity drop you are
going to have, take a look at the capacity correction factor chart, which is widely
available either in the installation manual or engineering data book of your
product.

Question

Why, as my installer said, does a new unit need to be mounted on brackets

drilled into my house foundation, when the old one sits on a flat slab of
cement?

Community Answer

It's a matter of preference, really. As long as it's anchored to the concrete for
earthquake retrofit, you're fine.

Question

After removing an indoor unit, I can open the indoor unit valves and see gas

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is leaking. What is that gas?

Community Answer

Most likely the gas is air. The indoor unit is usually shipped with a vacuum
sealed in. If you open the valve, air will rush in, and it might seem like gas is
escaping.

Question

How do I properly charge freon in a mini split?

Community Answer

Vacuum and use a weighing scale to confirm the charging amount. The accuracy
should be within 20g.

Question

My split unit is not cooling very well. What should I do?

Community Answer

First, clean the indoor air filter, the coil and the outdoor condenser. If that doesn't
work, check the gas level in the unit.

Question

It is easier for me to install the air conditioning if there is a preinstall in the

apartment?

Community Answer

Yes, because there would be indications as to where the AC unit can sit
appropriately.

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Tips

Provide a dedicated power outlet for your air conditioner.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions that come with your split system air
conditioner.

Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Warnings

Some split system air conditioner manufacturers void the unit’s warranty if it is
not installed by a licensed tradesman.

If you live in a country where it is legal to install a split system air conditioning
unit without professional qualifications, you must still follow all municipal codes
for electrical wiring and other aspects of the installation.

If you are based in the European Union, you must have your split system air
conditioning unit installed by a qualified F-Gas engineer in accordance with
EC/517/2014. It is illegal to install these systems without the appropriate
qualifications.

Do not allow any wiring to touch the compressor, refrigerant tubing, or any
moving fan parts.

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Things You'll Need

Stud finder

Level

Pencil

Plastic anchors

Tapping screws

Keyhole saw

Drill with hole-cutting attachment

Electrical tape

Wrenches

Cable clamps

Vacuum pump

Expanding polyurethane foam

References

1. https://blog.totalhomesupply.com/mini-split-installation-tips/
2. https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-install-mini-split-air-conditioner
3. https://www.brighthubengineering.com/hvac/45596-installation-of-the-wall-mounted
-indoor-unit/
4. https://www.brighthubengineering.com/hvac/45596-installation-of-the-wall-mounted
-indoor-unit/
5. https://www.brighthubengineering.com/hvac/45249-indoor-and-outdoor-installation-
of-split-air-conditioners-deciding-the-location/

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6. https://www.brighthubengineering.com/hvac/45811-installation-of-the-outdoor-unit-
of-split-air-conditioners/
7. https://www.brighthubengineering.com/hvac/45811-installation-of-the-outdoor-unit-
of-split-air-conditioners/
8. https://www.brighthubengineering.com/hvac/46340-gas-charging-in-split-air-conditi
oners/

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