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Can you do the installation yourself? In my country i have to make a HVAC technician come to check the installation and sign a paper before i can start mine (20
by orwin 1y ago
Can you do the installation yourself? In my country i have to make a HVAC technician come to check the installation and sign a paper before i can start mine (200€ for a 15 minutes job, but it's less than the 2-4k it would cost to not do it myself)
[edit] i say that because my hardware is 2.5k euros, so ~3k¯dollars, so we probably have the same high end stuff, and i guarantee you it's not hard to install, and it can be quite fast if you have help from your SO.
- steveBK123 1y agoCentral air system with indoor blower & outdoor condenser generally don't come with pre-charged lines so self-install without certification isn't really an option in US.
- mothballed 1y agoI got my EPA 608 universal for free after 2 night of cramming and an online proctored test. Skillcat, I think they charge like $50 if you want a printed card, worth it to me because I wanted to be able to walk into supply houses and buy refrigerant.
- theoreticalmal 1y agoI always wondered how difficult it was to do this. I’m really glad to know it’s possible
- mothballed 1y agoGetting the 608 is mostly rote memorization and the only thing required at the federal level. On the state level if you want a trade license that generally takes 4 years, but where I live residential owner-builder doesn't need it.
- brianwawok 1y ago608 lets you buy the refrigerant
- brianwawok 1y agoMe too, except I got it in the SkillCat free trial. Did it while rocking my then baby over a few weeks. Super easy for anyone that is a “good” test taker and has high school level reading
- josiahpeters 1y agoI almost did this after I helped a friend install a mini-split. Having just installed a mini-split in my office shed with a pre/charged unit. I told him it was easy and helped him. We ended up needing to buy an extra long line set to make the distance work, which needed more refrigerant. I called 15 different places and finally found one that could come out and charge the line for under $350. Which was hard to stomach with the whole unit costing only $750 from Amazon.
- bradgranath 1y agoIt's not just certification/permitting. The manufacturers often state that the unit must be verified to be installed by a qualified technian or the warranty is void. Around here anyway, I was getting quotes of 20k for the install & equipment of a central air handler and the outdoor unit. I'd be dead before the thing paid for itself in electricity cost savings. $20,000 ÷ (~90yrslife - 40yrsold) = $400 / year of neccesary savings to break-even as my casket is lowered into the ground.
- JeremyPOsborne 1y agoMost don't have a payback if the cost of electricity is too high. Let's make them lower cost up front and lower running costs so it's a no brainer when replacement is due.
- deleted 1y ago[deleted]
- mothballed 1y agoDepends on where you live. Someone that has the tools can do it themselves and then shut the fuck up, which is how I suspect most of them in America get installed. Code/planning enforcement commonly surveils residences via satellite or air images but they're not noticing a mini split installed.
- jabart 1y agoNewer units (not all) in the US come pre-charged up to a certain size of lineset. Manufacturers can sell you a whole unit with a charge. The rest is easy to source locally though I haven't tried to get nitrogen myself. Of course you have exactly one chance with your install this way until you have to call someone.
- mothballed 1y agonitrogen is available at any welding supply store. The container and pressure regulator is like $200 though.
- carlosjobim 1y agoOr else?