5 ms·

There need to be more recessed/flush-mount options, no one wants a big ugly box on the wall even if it is a big box with avant-garde styling. I retrofit a Fuji

There need to be more recessed/flush-mount options, no one wants a big ugly box on the wall even if it is a big box with avant-garde styling. I retrofit a Fujitsu 4-zone split system into my house, that I bought online. I installed a hidden air handler in a centrally located closet to cover the open-floorplan downstairs, which mostly made that space useless for other storage. I also installed 3 recessed flush-mount ceiling-mount units (called a "ceiling cassette") in the bedrooms, which luckily had attic access above. They were 22" wide to fit between the rafters. Nice unobtrusive look. They also offer a floor mounted unit that is less obtrusive than the ol' box on the wall, but it has a slightly lower SEER rating. And can limit where you put your furniture. Also LG has one called the "Art Cool" which is essentially a very thick picture frame you can hang on the surface and disguise with a pretty picture. They should make one built into an OLED TV...

toomuchtodo 2y ago
I would love to see a YouTube walkthrough of your setup!
- buildsjets 2y ago
  Sorry, I have toomuchtodo buildingjets to start a Youtube channel, lol! But there are probably a ton of videos out there from people with better video production skills and a more pleasant presentation style than mine. I really taught myself HVAC installation from YT videos and reading the equipment manuals a lot.
  - toomuchtodo 2y ago
    What about jet building videos! :)
ortusdux 2y ago
I've been eyeing Mr Cool's DIY flush mount units. https://mrcool.com/diy-ceiling-cassette/ https://mrcool.com/diy-ceiling-cassette/ I have a 100+ y/o farm house, so retrofitting can require some creativity. These recessed units should work, but I'm also toying with the idea of integrating mini-splits into built-in cabinets/dressers. I've been obsessed with greeting a nice large format wood CNC and I like the idea of hiding the return unit behind cosmetic panels.
- bagels 2y ago
  I put a mr cool in my garage, no regrets at all.
  - woleium 2y ago
    I have also heard good things about mr cool.
    - ortusdux 2y ago
      I have trouble gauging them because they have flooded the DIY youtube crowd with free review units. There is no direct quid-pro-quo that I know of, but it's rare to see a DIY person bash something, and I worry it's out of a fear of biting the hand that gives them free stuff.
      - bagels 2y ago
        I bought mine, and this was before they were giving them to YouTubers. I've definitely seen those videos since then.
- rickydroll 2y ago
  90 yr old house here. Steam heat, crappy vinal windows from the past 20 years, vermiculate insulation (asbestos risk??). I like the idea of recessed units within the central wall with condensers in the attack. I need to vent the heat somewhere. Maybe if I get rid of all the gas (water, furnace), I can vent out the chimney.
voisin 2y ago
> Fujitsu 4-zone split system What model did you buy? How complicated was the install? How did you buy it online - I understood Fujitsu to sell through distributors / installers? Where are you located?
- buildsjets 2y ago
  AOU45RLXFZ outdoor unit, 2 7K ceiling cassettes, 1 9K cassette, and an 18K air handler. Installation was pretty easy so long as you are a mechanically inclined person, and are willing to invest around ~$500 in the tools to do the job right. Most of the labor is just basic carpentry and electrical. The most complicated thing is preparing and flaring the copper tube ends, then pressure testing overnight. R410a is a high pressure refrigerant, the manual has very specific dimensional requirements for the flare to get a good seal. You need to cut the tube end well, then file it it perfectly square and deburr, and use a special orbital flaring tool that costs around $100 to get a flare that meets the required dimensions. For pressure testing, the manual said to use Nitrogen at the system operating pressure of around ~450 PSI. So you will need to own/beg/borrow/steal a high pressure gas bottle and a regulator. I was too lazy to drive to the airport and borrow my friend's N2 bottle so I used Argon from my TIG welder, it it worked out fine. But yeah, most people do not have a source of 500 PSI inert gas just sitting around. You will also need a vacuum pump and gauge to evacuate the lines, but the compressor comes pre-charged with refrigerant so after evacuating, you just open the valves and start running it, no charging manifold or refrigerant fill needed. I'm in the Pacific Northwest USA, I purchased from eComfort.com , no financial affiliation. One reason I chose Fujitsu is that all the installation and service data was easily available, but Fujitsu is a REAL pain about selling parts/aftermarket support unless you are licensed distributor. I found a guy through Reddit that I have used to order parts (I broke a thermistor wire by being ham-handed)
jemmyw 2y ago
We got ours installed into the attic space with ducts. I guess this is easier with a single level house that didn't have any existing thing in place. It's a Daikin system. I think the ceiling ducts are pretty ugly but way nicer than a unit on the wall.

toomuchtodo 2y ago

I would love to see a YouTube walkthrough of your setup!

buildsjets 2y ago
Sorry, I have toomuchtodo buildingjets to start a Youtube channel, lol! But there are probably a ton of videos out there from people with better video production skills and a more pleasant presentation style than mine. I really taught myself HVAC installation from YT videos and reading the equipment manuals a lot.
- toomuchtodo 2y ago
  What about jet building videos! :)

ortusdux 2y ago

I've been eyeing Mr Cool's DIY flush mount units. https://mrcool.com/diy-ceiling-cassette/ https://mrcool.com/diy-ceiling-cassette/ I have a 100+ y/o farm house, so retrofitting can require some creativity. These recessed units should work, but I'm also toying with the idea of integrating mini-splits into built-in cabinets/dressers. I've been obsessed with greeting a nice large format wood CNC and I like the idea of hiding the return unit behind cosmetic panels.

bagels 2y ago
I put a mr cool in my garage, no regrets at all.
- woleium 2y ago
  I have also heard good things about mr cool.
  - ortusdux 2y ago
    I have trouble gauging them because they have flooded the DIY youtube crowd with free review units. There is no direct quid-pro-quo that I know of, but it's rare to see a DIY person bash something, and I worry it's out of a fear of biting the hand that gives them free stuff.
    - bagels 2y ago
      I bought mine, and this was before they were giving them to YouTubers. I've definitely seen those videos since then.
rickydroll 2y ago
90 yr old house here. Steam heat, crappy vinal windows from the past 20 years, vermiculate insulation (asbestos risk??). I like the idea of recessed units within the central wall with condensers in the attack. I need to vent the heat somewhere. Maybe if I get rid of all the gas (water, furnace), I can vent out the chimney.

voisin 2y ago

> Fujitsu 4-zone split system What model did you buy? How complicated was the install? How did you buy it online - I understood Fujitsu to sell through distributors / installers? Where are you located?

buildsjets 2y ago
AOU45RLXFZ outdoor unit, 2 7K ceiling cassettes, 1 9K cassette, and an 18K air handler. Installation was pretty easy so long as you are a mechanically inclined person, and are willing to invest around ~$500 in the tools to do the job right. Most of the labor is just basic carpentry and electrical. The most complicated thing is preparing and flaring the copper tube ends, then pressure testing overnight. R410a is a high pressure refrigerant, the manual has very specific dimensional requirements for the flare to get a good seal. You need to cut the tube end well, then file it it perfectly square and deburr, and use a special orbital flaring tool that costs around $100 to get a flare that meets the required dimensions. For pressure testing, the manual said to use Nitrogen at the system operating pressure of around ~450 PSI. So you will need to own/beg/borrow/steal a high pressure gas bottle and a regulator. I was too lazy to drive to the airport and borrow my friend's N2 bottle so I used Argon from my TIG welder, it it worked out fine. But yeah, most people do not have a source of 500 PSI inert gas just sitting around. You will also need a vacuum pump and gauge to evacuate the lines, but the compressor comes pre-charged with refrigerant so after evacuating, you just open the valves and start running it, no charging manifold or refrigerant fill needed. I'm in the Pacific Northwest USA, I purchased from eComfort.com , no financial affiliation. One reason I chose Fujitsu is that all the installation and service data was easily available, but Fujitsu is a REAL pain about selling parts/aftermarket support unless you are licensed distributor. I found a guy through Reddit that I have used to order parts (I broke a thermistor wire by being ham-handed)

jemmyw 2y ago

We got ours installed into the attic space with ducts. I guess this is easier with a single level house that didn't have any existing thing in place. It's a Daikin system. I think the ceiling ducts are pretty ugly but way nicer than a unit on the wall.