New Do It Yourself Air Conditioner Wiring Guide

After a few telephone calls from concerned customers having difficulty with wiring information for the AmericAire DIY air conditioner, we have published a wiring guide with pictures to answer future questions. The AmericAire do-it-yourself air conditioner is the only mini split air conditioner in the United States with the capability of connecting the evaporator to the condenser and having the system automatically charge. This has been an exceptional feature for customers with limited access to qualified air conditioner installers. All wiring included with the AmericAire ACEDIY12HP110/ACCDIY12HP110 is 14 gauge. The electrical thermostat comes standard with the new DIY air conditioner, but does not have to be installed for operation. Make sure to connect the quick connection electrical plug if using the thermostat. Remember too that a dedicated 20 amp circuit breaker is required to operate the AmericAire DIY air conditioner.

Here is a link to the new wiring guide for the AmericAire DIY air conditioner:

http://www.clearanceac.com/PDF/diy_wiring_guide.pdf

For more information on the AmericAire DIY mini split air conditioner please follow this link:

http://www.clearanceac.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=96

My mini split unit operates but will not cool. What can I do to fix this problem?

A. Check filters in the indoor unit. If filters are dirty clean or replace.
B. Check to make sure there is no blockage around the indoor or outdoor unit.
C. Check for proper suction pressure.

1. Suction pressure should range between 60 and 70 PSI
2. If pressures are too high, you will have to remove small amounts by evacuating lines until suction pressure is in range.
3. If pressure is too low. You will need to add refrigerant. If the mini split unit “RUN Load Amps” are more than two times the stated “RUN Load Amps” on the label of the outdoor unit label, replace capillary assembly.
4. The mini split unit will also not cool in low outdoor temperatures. There are low ambient kits to help run your air conditioner in temperatures below freezing.

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Inverter Compressor Benefits in a Mini Split Air Conditioner

Shopping for a mini split air conditioner got a little more difficult in the past couple of years. With the new federal regulations on minimum SEER ratings in the United States, manufacturers have started using inverter compressors to obtain 13 SEER or higher. This has created exceptional efficiency in wall mounted air conditioners, but also has increased the consumer cost.

The compressor is the heart and soul of every mini split air conditioner. It is the most essential component in an air conditioner and the most expensive. When purchasing a mini split air conditioner make sure to find a system with a solid warranty approximately 5 years in length. Also, make sure to purchase your mini split from a company that has parts available in the United States. Some companies can take up to three weeks to ship parts if they have to order them overseas.

I have read many articles talking about inverter compressors versus standard rotary compressors, but I think this sums it up best. A standard rotary or scroll compressor operates like a light switch: either on or off and nothing in between. An inverter compressor operates like a water faucet: it only uses enough power to reach the desired setting.

An inverter compressor is programmed to run at optimum speed, which is regulated by the input frequency as it varies between heat load requirements. Example: Your mini split is set at 72° F. The room becomes hot and the compressor needs to cool it by a couple of degrees. A standard compressor will turn “On” with full power, while an inverter compressor only uses enough resources (RPM) to reduce the room’s temperature to the desired setting.

Over a full day of operation, a standard compressor will have to turn on and off a substantial number of times. An inverter compressor will turn on and reach the desired setting and then idle at that setting until needed further.

By using different rotation speed, the inverter compressor is saving energy and operating more quietly than the standard compressor. Not having to constantly turn on and off at maximum RPM increases the lifespan of the inverter compressor.

When a large temperature change is needed, the inverter compressor can operate at a much higher RPM speed than the standard compressor, reducing the amount of run time and reducing your energy costs. Some researchers show a reduced power consumption as much as 60% versus a fixed speed standard compressor.

Inverter compressors offer a more precise temperature control for your mini split air conditioner. I hope this helps you understand how an inverter compressor operates and will help you make a decision with your ductless air conditioner purchase.

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Ductless Mini Split Preventative Maintenance

“If you must cover your air conditioner leave the side vents clear to let air circulate.”

Preventative maintenance is an important factor to increase the life span of your ductless air conditioner and reduce break downs. Every year there are a few little things that you can do to make a big difference.

Here are a few tips to increase the life of your air conditioner:

The outdoor condenser should always remain clear of sticks, garbage or other debris that can fit through the protective grille and damage the fan or compressor. Most condenser fan blades are made of plastic and can easily be broken by items fitting through the grille.

When mowing the lawn make a conscious effort to blow grass away from the condenser and cut back long weeds that grow around the unit.

Once a year you should spray out the condenser with a hose or a bucket of water and let dry without use for at least 24 hours. I like to remove the few bolts on top of the condenser and remove top cover. When the cover is removed I can easily see any damage or debris inside the condenser.

Check the copper piping inside the condenser and line set connections on the side of the condenser for any oily residue. Refrigerant leaks leave an oily residue and a quick check once a year can save you hundreds in repair costs. Manufacture warranties will not cover the air conditioners compressor if it is operated low on refrigerant.

The last preventative maintenance I do on the condenser is to make sure the unit is still level. Over time condensers can sink and become uneven. Non-level condensers are a quick death for the units compressor.

I also get questions from consumers about covering the condenser in the off-season in areas with snow fall or other unsightly weather. I do not agree with the idea that covering your condenser helps prevent rust. In fact, when condensers are covered moisture builds up inside the unit and fresh air doesn’t have a chance to dry the unit. If you must cover your air conditioner leave the side vents clear to let air circulate.

Moisture = Rust

We all rely on our air conditioners to come to life when the weather gets hot and unbearable, follow these few preventative maintenance tips and you will not be disappointed.

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Ductless Air Conditioners Noise Levels

“Split systems, or ductless mini splits as they have been know to be called, are very quiet air conditioners.”

How loud is a ductless air conditioner? Many consumers ask this question when shopping for an air conditioner for their home or office. Comfort while sleeping is very important in my life. A quiet dark room at a comfortable 70° F always does the trick for me. Most air conditioners on the market will get me to a comfortable temperature but what style will do the job with the least amount of noise?

Air conditioner manufacturers measure the amount of noise a unit makes in decibels (dB). A decibel is a logarithmic unit of measurement that expresses the magnitude of a physical quantity (usually power or intensity) relative to a specified or implied reference level. In lemans terms how loud something is.

For the purpose of comparing air conditioners let’s break them down into two categories: packaged air conditioners and split system air conditioner.

A packaged air conditioner would consist of any system that has both the evaporator and condenser in one cased unit such as a window unit or packaged air conditioner (PTAC). Packaged unit will always be louder than a split system air conditioner because the compressor and other loud working components are protruding into your living environment.

Not only are packaged air conditioners louder than split systems, window air conditioners usually have minimum insulation and sound proofing between the unit and the window casing. Outdoor noises in combination with a loud window air conditioner definitely will decrease sleep.

Most window unit air conditioners and PTACs have an average decibel level of 48 to 60 dB. If you can afford a little more money I would recommend a split system air conditioner in your bedroom.

Split system air conditioners get their name from having two separate main components: the outdoor condenser and the indoor evaporator. Split systems, or ductless mini splits as they have been know to be called, are very quiet air conditioners.

The compressor and other loud working components are stored in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is just used to expel the cool or hot air. If you would like to generate heat, as well as air conditioning, look to purchase a heat pump mini split. Mini split evaporators, on average, produce about 32 decibels. The condenser and evaporator are connected with a refrigerant line set that runs through a 3” hole in the wall.

Ductless mini split air conditioners are the ideal solution to older louder air conditioners.

Ductless air conditioners have come a long way in minimizing decibel noise over the past five years. If your existing air conditioner is more than 10 years old you will be surprised by the minimum amount of noise the new equipment creates.

Comments on this article or others can be made in our forum.

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Sizing a Ductless Air Conditioner

Properly sizing your mini split air conditioner or other ductless system is a relatively easy task. I get asked daily by consumers what size air conditioner is right for me? Whenever you purchase a ductless air conditioner make sure to get a unit that can handle the area that needs to be cooled with a few variables thrown into the equation. The worst thing that could happen is that you purchase the equipment and everything gets installed properly, but the unit doesn’t live up to expectations.

Remember first that ductless air conditioning equipment can only cool or heat areas that can be reached by the expelled air. Like a fan, if you close doors to rooms surrounding the indoor evaporator, those rooms will not feel the effect of the circulated air. Most ductless mini split systems will have fan settings from relatively low to high speeds. A higher speed, of course, will help the room air circulation.

For larger areas it is a good idea to check the evaporator fan’s Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) output in the specifications. The higher the CFM, the better the circulation.

Let me start with the basics of ductless sizing for the best case scenario. For every 12,000 btu., an average of 600 square feet can be cooled or heated. If your air conditioner produces 18,000 btu.’s the coverage improves to 900 square feet.

For me, best case scenario means a square room with 8 foot ceilings, no windows in a climate of 72 degrees. Now let’s look at some of the variable that reduce the amount of square feet covered by a ductless air conditioner

6 Variables that Reduce an Air Conditioners Useful Area:

1. Climate: If you live in an area of the world that has seasonal temperatures in excess of 90° F. Increase 30%
2. Windows: If you have south facing windows in your designated area, or if you have large windows. Increase 20%
3. Ceiling Height: High ceilings increase a room’s size reducing the air conditioners effectiveness. Increase 20%
4. Appliances: Heavy kitchen appliances and electronics increase the heat created in an area. Increase 20%
5. People: The more people in the area the more heat produced. Increase 20%
6. Insulation: Poorly insulated homes are much more difficult to cool or heat. Increase 30%

Taking into consideration the above variables we can form a good estimation on the size of air conditioner needed to do the job. We know that 12,000 btu.’s can cool 600 square feet or a room approximately 25’ x 25’. If any of the 6 variables from above are a factor we will not be able to maintain a comfortable environment for your area. So we need to move up to a higher btu. ductless air conditioner.

If our area is a 16’ x 16’ room (256 sq. ft.) in Orlando, Florida (Increase 30%) with south facing windows (Increase 20%) you would need an air conditioner that can cool a 384 sq. ft. area.

There are only a few basic sizes produced in the ductless air conditioning industry, so it makes it easier to find the unit that will work best for you.

Standard Sizes of Ductless Air Conditioners:

1. 9,000 btu. Coverage area 450 sq. ft.
2. 12,000 btu. Coverage area 600 sq. ft.
3. 18,000 btu. Coverage area 900 sq. ft.
4. 24,000 btu. Coverage area 1,200 sq. ft.

If you come close to the maximum square feet numbers listed above after adding in your variables make sure to bump up to the next higher btu. system. I have never seen a problem of over-sizing a ductless air conditioner. The thermostat is always in the area being cooled, so if you have a larger system expelling more cool air, the system will run less often.

These numbers have worked great for me in the past, and I hope they help you find the right size air conditioner in the future.

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Which Ductless Air Conditioner Style is Right for You?

“Mini split air conditioners have gained their popularity by their quiet operation and ascetic value.”

So you decided to purchase a ductless air conditioning system, but which system fits your needs? In the United States there are varying styles and shapes of ductless air conditioners. Below I have listed the most popular styles.

Window Air Conditioner: If you are over the age of 10 I’m sure you have seen this style of air conditioner sticking out of a window of your local apartment complex or main street store. There popularity comes from the inexpensive price and ease of installation. These are self-contained systems that just plug and go.

Through Wall Air Conditioner: These air conditioners are usually higher quality than the window units mentioned above. They are manufactured with a metal casing around the unit so that it can be built into a new or existing wall. Many units are a chassis system that let the customer pull out the guts of the unit while leaving the case securely attached in the wall. Through wall units will usually be deeper in size so there is adequate venting outside the exterior of the building. A through wall unit will most likely be stronger than a window air conditioner and can still hang out a window if a customer wishes.

Mini Split Wall Mounted: These air conditioners have been the bread and butter of the ductless revolution in the United States. Mini Split air conditioners consist of an outdoor unit (condenser), an indoor unit (evaporator), remote control and a refrigerant line-set. The indoor unit comes in many shapes and sizes, but the most popular size is an elongated rectangle. The outdoor unit of a mini split system resembles a medium size suitcase with a fan grille. The condenser and evaporator are connected with electrical wiring and insulated refrigerant line-sets. The outdoor condenser sits on a slab or plastic pad and the indoor evaporator mounts on an interior wall approximately 10 inches from the ceiling. Mini split air conditioners have gained their popularity by their quiet operation and ascetic value.

Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC): PTAC’s have gained their notoriety in the motel/hotel industry. If you have ever slept in a motel and enjoyed lovely hum of a PTAC you are not alone. These are self-contained air conditioners usually with large buttons or dials to either turn the temperature up or down, hot or cold. Through the years PTAC manufacturers have worked to lessen the decibel output of the units but self-contained air conditioners will always make noise because the compressor is working a few feet from your bed.

Ceiling Cassette Air Conditioner: Cassettes have the same components and operate similar to mini split wall mounted units with one exception; cassettes mount in the ceiling. Many businesses and offices will use cassette air conditioners because they fit in between ceiling panels and force air out in four directions. While most ductless air conditioners have a maximum of 24,000 btu.’s, ceiling cassettes can be manufactured over 60,000 btu. With the addition of line-sets, a ceiling cassette air conditioner will require an installer.

Ceiling Floor Air Conditioner: These ductless air conditioners haven’t had the success in the United States as the other units. Ceiling Floor units derive their name because they can be mounted horizontally hung from a ceiling or vertically against a wall near the floor. They are over twice as large as an indoor mini split system, but they can be manufactured at higher btu. sizes. The little popularity has been obtained from commercial applications. Ceiling Floor units will also require an installer.

These are basic styles of ductless air conditioners. I tried not to go too deep into each unit to give you a general overview of what is available. If you have any additions or comments please leave them in the forum for others to enjoy.

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What is a Heat Pump Wall Mounted Mini Split?

“There are no added expenses when installing a heat pump air conditioner making them a perfect solution for room additions that require both heating and cooling.”

There are two ways for ductless equipment to produce heat in addition to air conditioning: heat pump and electric heat. For years now consumers have used heat pumps in mini split air conditioners for warmth. Electric heat is relatively new in the mini split industry. While most people grasp the concept behind electric heat, many people don’t understand how a heat pump air conditioner functions.

The only difference between a mini split air conditioner and a heat pump is a small valve called a reversing valve. When shopping for ductless air conditioners remember that if the unit is described as a heat pump that it produces heat and cool air.

So how does a heat pump mini split operate? Heat pump ductless equipment use a reversing valve that changes the refrigerant’s direction of flow, allowing the heat pump to switch from cooling to heating or vise versa. The reversing valve is a heat pump’s sole way of switching between heating and cooling modes.

That’s all there is to it.

Heat pumps are a very efficient means to create heat in the mini split air conditioning industry. The power consumption of the air conditioner in heat mode is very similar to the consumption in cool mode. Electric heat units require more power to operate and usually supply less heat as the outcome.

There are no added expenses when installing a heat pump air conditioner making them a perfect solution for room additions that require both heating and cooling.

The one draw back of a heat pump air conditioner is that their operation temperature usually bottoms out around 19°F. Heat pumps use the compressor located in the outdoor condenser to create heat, and when a condenser is sitting outside in very cold temperatures the refrigeration in the compressor can freeze.

Operating a heat pump below recommended minimum temperatures can cause damage to the compressor.

Some consumers have used crank case heaters and other warming devices to keep their compressor warm in the colder months allowing them to use their heat pump system.

I hope this helps explain the function of the heat pump mini split air conditioner. Feel free to leave comments on this article.

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Mini Split Condensation Pumps

A mini split condensation pump is a small pump that is used to pump the condensation, or water, out of the reservoir of your indoor evaporators drain pan. The basic function of an air conditioner is to remove moisture, or humidity, from the air creating a cooler environment. As moisture is removed it is deposited in the evaporators drain pan at the bottom of the unit.

When a wall mounted mini split is installed properly, the drain pan can empty its contents out the back of the unit through a plastic drain line outdoors. Most mini split air conditioners have a ½” drain line. All condensate water will drain, with the assistance of gravity, outdoors or to an interior drain below the unit.

Most condensation pumps use a float switch to activate the pump when water reaches a designed level. Condensation pumps require either 110 volt or 220 volt electricity for operation. Make sure to purchase a pump that will operate with your existing power configuration.

Mini split condensation pumps are ideal to use when the evaporator is installed in a basement or area that is below the outdoor drain level. Condensation pumps can help drain water up to 30 feet above the pumps location.

Condensation pumps are self-priming, water-cooled and water lubricated.

All mini split condensation pumps have two components:

The Pump Body: This includes an electronic circuit board and the pump motor.

The Reservoir: This contains the switching mechanism to activate the pump and the filter. Make sure to occasionally check the filter to make sure that it is clean and the float switch is operational. Dirty filters can clog the float switch and water may overflow the drain pan. The reservoir must remain level to operate effectively.

Please check out the article ‘Condensation Pump Installation Styles” for more information on types of installation for condensation pumps. As always please feel free to leave comments on this article.

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Purpose of a Mini Split Low Ambient Kit

“A low ambient kit is only used to continue creating air conditioning in temperatures below 55°F.”

Most consumers use their ductless mini split for air conditioning in warmer months of the year. Some consumers need air conditioning year round and at temperatures well below freezing. In general, air conditioners should not be operated in temperatures below 55°F.

Server rooms, meeting halls and restaurants are just a few examples of cases when air conditioning is needed when the outdoor temperature is below freezing. Not to mention the poor guy in the warehouse with his office next to the boiler!

Anytime air conditioning is needed below 55°F a low ambient kit is required. A low ambient kit is an electrical accessory that can be added to your ductless mini split.

The low ambient kit works by slowing the fan speed to maintain higher head pressure in the condensers compressor and prevent freezing. The fan speed is controlled by the low ambient kit that is connected to the fan motor on the condenser.

Many people see the term “low ambient kit” and think that it can be used to continue the operation of their heat pump in the cooler months. This is not true.

A low ambient kit is only used to continue creating air conditioning in temperatures below 55°F.

When looking for a low ambient kit make sure you find one that is compatible with your mini split air conditioner brand and voltage. Low ambient kits are easy to install and will come with directions for connecting to the fan motor.

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