How to install a split air conditioner?

Split AC installation guidelines

Split AC installation starts with deciding the location of indoor and outdoor unit of air conditioner. After the location is confirmed, installation of indoor unit is started.

A Split AC unit has following parts:

  • Indoor unit
  • Outdoor unit also called external unit
  • Wall bracket ( Optional)
  • Remote control
  • Connecting pipes

Split AC installation requires following tools:

  • Screws
  • Screwdriver
  • Drilling machine
  • Copper pipes
  • Basic tool box

Split AC installation steps

1. Making holes as per wall bracket

In the split AC box, there is an aluminum wall bracket with all the necessary holes and attachments. Fix the indoor unit of split AC on this bracket. To start the split AC indoor unit installation, holes are marked on the wall as per the bracket.

2. Drilling holes in the wall

After marking the holes on the wall, remove the wall bracket and drill holes in the wall with a drilling machine at the marks. Thereafter fix the bracket with the screws in the holes.

3. Passing important pipes and cables through wall

After fixing the bracket on the wall, drill a hole (of large diameter) across the wall to pass copper pipes called refrigerant tubing, drain hose and electrical cable to connect the indoor unit with the outdoor unit of split AC.

4. Installing indoor unit of split AC

Now split AC indoor unit is securely mounted on the wall bracket. Thereafter pass the copper pipes (coupled to the indoor unit) through the hole drilled across the wall. Connect the drain pipe to one end of the indoor unit, pass it through the same hole and leave it free in the open space for water drainage.

5. Installing outdoor unit of split AC

Handle the outdoor unit of split AC with care as it is quite heavy. Bring the outdoor unit of split AC outside to the location where the installation is going to take place. The outdoor unit can also be mounted on an external wall with the help of support. The wall on which you will mount the outdoor unit should be strong enough to bear its weight and vibrations.

6. Installation of copper pipes and electrical connections

Once the indoor and the outdoor units of the split air conditioner are done with fitting, connect the two AC units with copper pipe. Finally, pass the electric cable through the hole to connect the indoor unit of split AC to outdoor unit of split AC.

7. Final check

After installing the indoor unit of split AC, outdoor unit of split AC, copper pipes, drain hose and all electrical connections of split AC, switch ON the air conditioner to check if it works properly.

You might also like

9 Comments

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3

    We r planning to install split AC in our Hall which has a passage and two open entrances one for the kitchen and the other to the bedroom. Can somebody guide as to where it can be installed and the capacity of the AC since the hall is 15′ x 8′.

  4. 4
  5. 5

    I have a few questions:

    1. Can we do the piping work for an split unit and install the unit when needed.
    If yes than how much does the pipe need to be projected outside the wall.

    2. Can this protruded pipe be bent and somehow camouflaged and than used later on when we need to install the unit.

    2. If I do not want the pipe to be seen can we join and extend the pipe at a later date.

    • 6

      Hi Ash,
      1. Yes you can do that. Keep 30cm of pipe projected out for the inside and outside units.
      2. Yes it is possible. But you will need a copper tube bender tool to safely bend the projected pipe. Without this tool the copper pipe will get damaged.
      3. I suppose you are referring to the case where you don’t keep extra pipe projecting through the wall. Although this is also possible but we won’t recommend this approach because this would require digging up wall around the copper to weld the extension pipe, another joint will have to made at the indoor unit. The more number of joints in the copper pipe higher are the chances of gas leakage.
      Would suggest you to keep a buffer of 30cm, bend it with the bender tool and camouflage it.

      Kanishk
      Mr Right Team

  6. 7

    Couple of clarifications requested…
    1. How to connect two copper tubes (small & large dia) between indoor unit and outdoor unit?
    2. What precautions are required while making these connections so that gas is not leaked/lost during and post this process?
    3. How and where to check leaks with the vacuum pump?
    4. If copper tube length is to be extended (beyond 10-1 feet that is supplied), how is this done, particularly the joint part – how it is joined?
    5. And finally, where from can we get the such additional copper pipes and relevant connectors in Navi Mumbai/ Mumbai?

    I shall highly appreciate answers to these queries…

    Regards

    • 8

      Hi Anil,
      1. Using a Flare Nut of different diameter.
      2. No extra precautions are required if you’ve sourced a Flare nut that has different diameters.
      3. To check leakages, using a vacuum pump is the wrong approach. Use a bubble test with soapy water. Run the solution at the joints to see if bubbles are forming.
      4. For extending the pipe, again a flare nut with same diameters at both ends can be used. A flare nut has two female connectors to which the pipes are attached.
      5. You can find these connectors at any local hardware store.

      Kanishk
      Mr Right Team

  7. 9

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>