Installing a Ductless AC Heat Pump in an Attic?

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jack ripa

Active Member
It's a large space, there is already a furnace up there and plenty room still. It's well vented. Why couldn't I put it in a water heater tray or something and just put the "outside" unit up there? Bad idea?

I am thinking the neighbors will find an AC pumping away outside my garage in the middle of winter odd.

Ideas? I am trying to run a legal but still discreet sealed room grow. CO2, ductless, several 1ks HIDs etc.
 
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jack ripa

Active Member
I know and I plan to get one with all three but where I live, it's really a dead give away of a grow-op. The homes are new, the HVAC is 4 years old, when someone installs a heat pump it's for one thing....

As to the OP, looking around online it seems like people are trying it and it is working.
 
Jeffdt1966

Jeffdt1966

Active Member
they make those portable airconditioners on wheels now ... keep it in the garage and just vent the exaust out . Last time I looked at one they getting fairly reasonable pricewise ... under 200.00 dollars . May be just the ticket.......................
 
J

jack ripa

Active Member
Jeffdt1966 said:
they make those portable airconditioners on wheels now ... keep it in the garage and just vent the exaust out . Last time I looked at one they getting fairly reasonable pricewise ... under 200.00 dollars . May be just the ticket.......................
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They supposedly cool up to 500 ft but in reality, if you have ever used one, they suck badly. For 6Kw+ you need a 24k btu ductless at least in my opinion.
 
sparkabowl

sparkabowl

Active Member
I think you're talking about one of those Mitsubishi mini split system or something similar. The theory behind their operation is the "outside" unit pumps the heat into the atmosphere and exchanges it into cooling for the "indoor" section. If the outdoor and indoor sections are in the same room you will not get any cooling because the condenser will be putting the heat right back into the grow room.
 
VICTORYGARDENSHYDRO

VICTORYGARDENSHYDRO

New Member
sparkabowl said:
I think you're talking about one of those Mitsubishi mini split system or something similar. The theory behind their operation is the "outside" unit pumps the heat into the atmosphere and exchanges it into cooling for the "indoor" section. If the outdoor and indoor sections are in the same room you will not get any cooling because the condenser will be putting the heat right back into the grow room.
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actually, the refrigerant absorbs the heat in the evaporator coil and transfers it to the condensor coil, where it is removed, the refrigerant is then sent back to pick up more heat, It is a heat transfer system. He also said he wants to put the condensor in the attic.
it will work, it will just heat the attic and won't work as efficient as if it was outside. You might want to put Gable end fans in to remove as much heat from the attic as possible.
 
J

jack ripa

Active Member
sparkabowl said:
...you will not get any cooling because the condenser will be putting the heat right back into the grow room.
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I know. Why are you telling me this? I am growing in the garage. The attic has the furnace and hvac in it. This is why I think it's perfect.
 
J

jack ripa

Active Member
VICTORYGARDENSHYDRO said:
actually, the refrigerant absorbs the heat in the evaporator coil and transfers it to the condensor coil, where it is removed, the refrigerant is then sent back to pick up more heat, It is a heat transfer system. He also said he wants to put the condensor in the attic.
it will work, it will just heat the attic and won't work as efficient as if it was outside. You might want to put Gable end fans in to remove as much heat from the attic as possible.
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There are already large vents around the roof, I can easily duct some fresh air right to the coils.

The inverted mini splits look real promising. They don't kick on and off, they adjust compression to always be at a nominal level for the amount of radiant exchange needed. I am looking at a 2 ton with heat and dehumidification for about $1500 on ebay. I figure I can do the gas lines with about 10 feet of pipe and put my indoor air handler right where I need it.

Anyway, looking around at hvac forums this seems like a fairly common install. I am gonna go for it.
 
VICTORYGARDENSHYDRO

VICTORYGARDENSHYDRO

New Member
jack ripa said:
There are already large vents around the roof, I can easily duct some fresh air right to the coils.

The inverted mini splits look real promising. They don't kick on and off, they adjust compression to always be at a nominal level for the amount of radiant exchange needed. I am looking at a 2 ton with heat and dehumidification for about $1500 on ebay. I figure I can do the gas lines with about 10 feet of pipe and put my indoor air handler right where I need it.

Anyway, looking around at hvac forums this seems like a fairly common install. I am gonna go for it.
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I have owned an a/c company for over 12 years, If you have any questions, or need help installing it, just ask, Also check out harbor point on ebay, I have got some awesome deals from them.
 
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frenetic420

Well-Known Member
how did the compressor install go. i plan on doing the exact same thing. i got the 115v 9,000 btu inverter mini split from harborpoint. I have a large attic with holes for venting. I was gonna hook up a 6inch inline fan pulling air from outside aimed straight at the compressor. let me know how yours is running and what temperature your attic is at.
 
DrtyBngWtr

DrtyBngWtr

Active Member
what the guy thats owned his own HVAC company for 12 years didnt mention is that if your going to put something like that in your attic it should be completely sealed from all insulation. they pull hard. you will also have to run a drain line from the system in the attic... make sure you get that safety pan to go under it as a back up not your primary drain.
 
D

DIYer

Well-Known Member
Holy crap,.. 2 years later I find this thread. :shock:
Has anyone ever done the attic install with success? Jack ripa made it sound like others had, but I haven't seen such threads in my searching. Seems so possible though. I'm stuck in the same HOA corner. I'm still on the fence weather it can be done. Anyone think an inverted mini split would be a good idea like jack ripa suspected?

Come back Jack! How'd that go bro? :mrgreen:

I have a spot in my attic i think might be good ventilation, I'd love an HVAC guy to check my video and let me know if they think this is doable in my big attic area.

http://youtu.be/CrOJ65zsNhc

Peace



EDIT:
12000 BTU 1 TON INVERTER 15 SEER DUCTLESS MINI SPLIT A/C HEAT PUMP 12,000 +KIT
US $780.00 shipped.
That should cool a 11x11 flower room with 4K watts right? :?:

I have a 20A outlet close to the install spot in the video, its required minimum for that unit. It runs on a 120V outlet, which is good since I have no 230V outlet in my place. I'd go 18K, but all those units require 230v.


bongsmilie
 
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