Mini Split Air Conditioner installation

I want to use Mini Split Air Conditioner system in my soon to be 2 family townhouse. Can some one please tell me if I am allowed to install it myself, or does it have to be done by a licensed person & DOB approved? Recommendations on brands? They all seem very similar. Thank you

basementbound

in About Brooklyn 11 years and 8 months ago

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hawaiismurf | 11 years and 8 months ago

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Its a reasonably complicated technology so you’re better off with a professional install, so you can get the primary benefit, which is higher energy efficiency than the competition. Mitsubishi, Daikin, Fujitsu, Panasonic, LG all work. Using wall mounted units is the most cost effective.

steam_man | 11 years and 8 months ago

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According to DOB all Split AC (mini and otherwise) must be filed regardless of capacity. What you decide to do is your business as the cost of filing is stupid. The whole damn requirement is stupid. We have clients that decided to stick to window units when all the costs of a mini-split were considered and then permits added. As for installing it yourself. You might but: 1\. You will only be able to purchase obsolete models from on-line sources on your own. 2\. You will have no recourse to the manufacturer for warranty issues. 3\. You will not be able to charge the units with refrigerant. Call a pro and save yourself the headaches. That’s my advice.

brucef | 11 years and 8 months ago

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I believe the trigger for DOB permit is less than 36K BTU (three ton). Regardless you need a licensed tech to install. The technical challenges are non-trivial, well beyond the capacity of a normally competent owner. The warranty is voided by not using a licensed installer, and harm to the environment is possible. Installed correctly, mini-splits should give you many years great performance. Conversely, a poor install will be difficult to get fixed, as no tech wants to chase down the illogical decisions made before he got there.

metalwork | 11 years and 8 months ago

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I recommend having it install by a Licensed Professional. i have a few customers that did it, and it went down hill.