Question:
Does anyone know if these are installable without a lisenced installer? From
my understanding, they are a standard powerpoint plug? Can anyone confirm
this?
In particular, this is a 1HP Mistral split system .. Is it something that
just wired into power and has a pipe put thru the wall to the outside unit?
Answer:
No licence required to install a domestic a/c -- unless the police
states have different rules. Wiring changes will need a licenced
electrician, who isn't likely to be the best person to commission it.
There's no reason why you can't run a small unit from a 10A GPO (check
its starting current from the spec sheet).
Ours (Daikin) came with the refrigerant charge (R22) pre-installed in
the compressor unit -- which is pretty much standard AFAIK. After
connecting the pipes it's necessary to evacuate the wall unit and
pipes and leak test before opening the valves on the outside unit. I
did my own using automotive a/c equipment (no licence required for
that either) -- electrician wired it as it's a largish unit (3kW
IIRC).
Be particulary wary of installers who don't use a vacuum pump (heaps
don't). The cheapskate trick is to use some of the refrigerant in the
compressor to flush the evaporator. Not only will you finish up with
a reduced charge containing air and moisture -- you'll also void the
manufacturer's warranty. FWIW the electrician who wired ours thought
that was the correct way as it was the only way he'd previously seen
it done.
