Air Conditioner Split System Where to Install?

lilyesp on 03/01/2023 - 21:07
Last edited 03/01/2023 - 21:15 by 1 other user

Hi guys. I'm getting a guy install my ac next week…split system. Was hoping ppl can provide some help.

Wondering how far the external unit has to be from the indoor unit? Is 10m too far? Will it affect the cooling or the unit has to work harder. I'm thinking the other area is under the ensuite bathroom window, but may be too loud the outside unit?

Also, if I'm planning for 10m then will all the connection between the two units provided by the manufacturer have to be cut and extended costing a lot?

Any thoughts? Any advice would be great.

Thanks

• 

  brendanm on 03/01/2023 - 21:10

  +2

  If only there was someone that knew about AC installs that you could talk to about this…

  • 

    AustriaBargain on 03/01/2023 - 21:13

    +8

    OP could arrange to have an AC installer come and advise him on this just before the guy comes to install the AC.

    • 

      brendanm on 03/01/2023 - 21:54

      -1

      😂

• 

  Nugs on 03/01/2023 - 21:21

  +1

  House plan would be useful. Pretty sure the extra copper pipe will be expensive. Is the install price set? They will have limits on pipe run length
  .

• 

  Ginger1 on 03/01/2023 - 21:25

  +3

  The further distance the two units (inside & outside) are apart, the more you will pay. From my experience they quote you a price which is generally for back to back installation. My outside unit is close to 10m from the inside unit. it cost me good money but love where it is located.

  Like the other commenter above said. Request the installer come have a look first.

  Best of luck.

  • 

    resubaehtgnolhcs on 03/01/2023 - 21:37

    OP, this^

    A 10m run is going to be expensive, and this cost will increase based on the number of bends/turns they will need to make.

  • 

    lilyesp on 03/01/2023 - 22:05

    How much would extra did you pay?

    • 

      Ginger1 on 03/01/2023 - 23:57

      From memory about 400ish (extra on top of the quoted fee) that was in feb 2022.

• 

  Muzeeb on 03/01/2023 - 22:32

  +3

  Extra piping costs more. Also needs more gas added which is expensive. Maximum run length is generally 15m.

• 

  Some Human on 03/01/2023 - 22:44

  I believe the further away you have it, the less efficient it is. Also what others said extra $$$.

• 

  bargaino on 03/01/2023 - 22:51

  will all the connection between the two units provided by the manufacturer have to be cut and extended

  There is no connection "provided by the manufacturer". Any install requires pipes to be provided, as well as wiring.
  When I installed my own, back-to-back, I got a 3m prefitted hose-pair from eBay, so no flaring needed.

  If you want a 10-meter connection, the expensive part is not the pipe, but the extra refrigerant required.

  • 

    RockyRaccoon on 04/01/2023 - 07:54

    +2

    but the extra refrigerant required

    Not so. This depends on the manufacturer. Many are pre gassed, that can handle longer runs.

    Eg Fujitsu is 15M pre-gassed with a 20M maximum run. So if you are going over 15M (and under 20M) you will need more gas

    Many other brands do the same. Look for "Pipe Length m (Max (Precharged))" or similar in the specs.

    Like on this page (scroll down to specs - show all specs)

    https://www.fujitsugeneral.com.au/residential-products/singl…

• 

  netjock on 04/01/2023 - 00:29

  The manual for the unit tells you maximum length and also maximum vertical.

• 

  AndyC1 on 04/01/2023 - 07:53

  +1

  I wonder what the installer will think when he gets asked the questions about where to install the outside unit.

  • 

    bargaino on 04/01/2023 - 10:40

    +1

    He will think about what is quickest for him, and not best for the customer. In sadly too many cases.
    Don't be naive - is is a bad mix with condescending sarcasm.

• 

  lgacb08 on 04/01/2023 - 09:13

  +1

  Expect to pay at least $30/m extra for anything longer than standard back to back install. Usually decent installer will include the first 3m as standard. Ac systems work fine for longer pipe run as they've been designed to work as such. The beauty of such installation is you can move the compressor away to for noise and aesthetic performance. I have 2 units installed that way and they're very quiet. Each had about 7m runs extra and cost $300 extra.
  There's another cost you need to be aware of, i.e.draining the condensation. A standard back to back will drain condensation straight out to the back but if you can't run the hose straight out and had to go over the ceiling then a sump pump will be required, which can easily add another $200 on top.