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Mini split install

Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)

Last Post by AllyFish 11 months ago

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HughF

(@hughf)

Noble Member Member

2918 kWhs

Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 479

Topic starter 22/06/2023 11:58 am

I've just finished this mini-split install at my off-grid place in Dorset. This is to replace a burnt out wood burner in the sitting room.

£550 from Appliances Direct, r290 based, and I already had the vac pump and gauge set so installation was easy.

So far, very pleased with the speed to deliver warm air from switching on. It's a 2.6kW unit. Note the 700w consumption from the battery/inverter system.

This technology is the way forward for the decarbonisation of home heating, not this price-inflated central heating/radiator/air to water rubbish 😀

Off grid on the isle of purbeck
2.4kW solar, 15kWh Seplos Mason, Outback power systems 3kW inverter/charger, solid fuel heating with air/air for shoulder months, 10 acres of heathland/woods.

My wife’s house: 1946 3 bed end of terrace in Somerset, ASHP with rads + UFH, triple glazed, retrofit IWI in troublesome rooms, small rear extension.

Derek M reacted

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bontwoody

(@bontwoody)

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2901 kWhs

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Posts: 414

22/06/2023 4:12 pm

Certainly very useful, I have one in my kitchen as well as my ASHP. We got used to them in Maltese winters but not everyone likes blown air heating and you do have water heating to think about too. Aren't you supposed to be F gas registered to install them?

House-2 bed partial stone bungalow, 5kW Samsung Gen 6 ASHP (Self install)
6.9 kWp of PV
5kWh DC coupled battery
Blog: https://thegreeningofrosecottage.weebly.com/
Heatpump Stats: http://heatpumpmonitor.org/system/view?id=60

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HughF

(@hughf)

Noble Member Member

2918 kWhs

Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 479

Topic starter 22/06/2023 4:28 pm

R290 (propane) - no need for f-gas.

Appliances Direct will, however, sell you an f-gas one if you tell them you’ll use a local installer 😉

f-gas is only a grand for the 5 day course, I might do it later in the year. Can’t have too many skills, or tools…

This post was modified 11 months ago by HughF

Off grid on the isle of purbeck
2.4kW solar, 15kWh Seplos Mason, Outback power systems 3kW inverter/charger, solid fuel heating with air/air for shoulder months, 10 acres of heathland/woods.

My wife’s house: 1946 3 bed end of terrace in Somerset, ASHP with rads + UFH, triple glazed, retrofit IWI in troublesome rooms, small rear extension.

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AllyFish

(@allyfish)

Noble Member Contributor

3115 kWhs

Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 379

03/07/2023 8:08 am

I thought I would share this DIY split system air to air a/c install. This is an R290 propane unit sold by Appliances Direct after the buyer said he would arrange his own F-Gas registered installer to fit. He then tried to fit it himself. This install was shared on 'World Refrigeration Day'. How ironic.

The buyer 'bled' gas from the system until liquid flowed, yes he bled propane from a pre-charged circuit. He fitted the wall brackets back to front, he had no pipe cutting, brazing, OFN, flaring tools, so bought a ridiculously long interconnecting pipe kit and coiled it up behind the unit air inlet, he didn't fit an external lockable isolator, he switched it on, it didn't work. No surprise there.

He then he called the same company he'd previously got a quote from to install a split to come and put it right. Topping the bill, he said he had a cylinder of propane patio gas the installer could use so he didn't need to buy any R290....

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why F-Gas regulations exist and why these things are best left to time-served tradesmen.