Mr Cool DIY 24K Mini Split Heat Pump and Air Conditioner Installation in the BARNDOMINIUM

We plan on using a Wood Burning Stove to heat the Barndominium, but what about COOLING? We have really hot and humid summers in Arkansas so I need to do something about AIR CONDITIONING. Mr Cool DIY Mini Split seemed like the perfect solution, and one that I can DIY. It was not as easy as expected, especially since the instructions and template it came with didn't seem to match the model I had purchased... but we made it work. So far it has performed without issue.
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[@roysuchogorski6522]

Thanks, this is one of the best DIY Mr Cool vids. Also thank you for NOT editing out the struggles that you had, seems you overcame all of them nicely.

[@larrysmith3374]

Thanks for documenting your journey. Two points I picked up on. First, the sleeve that goes behind the unit is supposed to be installed opposite of how it’s installed here. With the thin flange installed from the inside to the outside and the flat side on the bottom, the flange is completely concealed behind the indoor unit. Second, I think what I saw was that once the two line-set connections were wrapped with the black heavy pad behind the indoor unit, then the two lines were pressed together and both covered with one insulation wrapping. This creates a thermal short-circuit. The lines should be isolated from each other. Thanks much!!

[@hvacdr]

Over 50,000 service calls. I think u did a dam good job and I have no complaints that I can see. And there is nothing I ain't seen

[@willie9397]

For the people who dont understand the lines are pre-charged and sealed, once you connect them it breaks the seal the system is fully charged, just like hydraulic quick connects, you dont have to bleed hydraulics every time you disconnect them, however, you only get one chance with this set up so take your time or you will have to vacuum the system.

[@TheBlindSwordsman]

I have used Nylog in the past for HVAC line sets, I'm guessing with these pre charged lines and the risk of getting a leak since they are pre charged, would it be wise to use Nylog?

[@kevin9c1]

I just installed the 18k and I found the instructions and kit pretty decent.

[@SteveNeighbor]

It's awesome that you guys are making good-quality videos, including one for the DIY mini-split. Keep up the good work! HVAC companies - both manufacturers and local installers - have been keeping DIY impossible for too long. Our power company here has joined the conspiracy by only allowing contractors to submit rebate requests. (The rebates are $400 per unit, btw.) Well done with a clean install. And tricky bits like the stud location. If you want to up your game... some thoughts/observations. - That grey putty is putty. Neoprene is a type of synthetic rubber. - Everyone, ~please~ stop drilling those massive holes through your walls. 2-1/2" is plenty big, 3" if you want extra room to maneuver. - Watching anyone reach over their head from the top of a ladder to use a framing nailer is just frightening. At least she had eye protection. - Yes, that's a knockout. And the "sound dampening" pad is probably to insulate and prevent condensation. The suction line (the big one) gets pretty cold. - Use! The! Torque! Wrench! You will be glad four years later when the thing still has charge in it. The guy I paid didn't... and less than a year later, wanted more than the cost of two torque wrenches to re-charge it. - Regular masking tape works just fine - that blue stuff is a waste of money unless you plan to leave it up for more than a few days.

[@ro79john]

Taking notes, and thanks for sharing.

[@bgregg55]

Same here. I had to use a heating company to get the rebate. Even with the tax incentive & rebate I found it would of been less to DIY it. Now I know.

[@bgregg55]

I appreciated that you showed everything involved even the problems you ran into. I find it curious there's still only one company selling units for the DIY market.

[@tpep1693]

check for leaks after you open the valves

[@desert1cop]

Needs to go through the wall on the side the hoses are connected to,I would have found a place without a stud,it would have been easier than fighting it to put those hoses through like you did,but whatever works for you

[@gasque65]

Very informative! Great job!

[@eddierobles2137]

Thank you so much for this video. 👏👏

[@GreatGrannyFreeBird]

very helpful video. We greatly appreciate how carefully you made the video to show details connecting… Stuff.

[@FromScratchRanch]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@hunterm.172]

AWESOME video! I have a 1500sq foot metal garage and deciding between a PTAC unit/mini-split/or traditional unit and after this video looks like ill be doing a mini split! Keep up the great work!

[@donwhitehead4587]

Great work👍🏻

[@dorabreaux]

How has the unit worked so far? Has it cooled and heated your barn efficiently? If so how has the electricity bill been?

[@LittleMountainLife]

Great video! Hoping to get ours installed this spring.

[@jerimahjohnson8698]

Just built a 2800 sq ft barn. Did spray foam instant improvement. Now need air and heat. Will the 45000 btu mr cool be enough????

[@jodystark2369]

Great vid

[@VWKID61]

When will the follow up be posted on the mini split install?

[@generallyhelpfulsoftware646]

I haven’t run the numbers, but I’d have to think a heat pump would cost less to run than a wood stove. The magic of moving heat rather than creating it.

[@SteveNeighbor]

These are not so great for heating because they sit by the ceiling where it's already warm. The air down by the floor just stays cold. And for fuel costs - It might seem that moving heat would be cheaper, though the numbers (and actual conditions) may say otherwise. If you do the math, be sure you do it right. The HSPF spec says 10, but have you looked at the chart? You'll only get that on a perfect day in mid-September.

[@generallyhelpfulsoftware646]

@@SteveNeighbor according to the example given here: www.efficiencymaine.com/at-home/heating-cost-comparison/ a ductless heat pump would cost $1276 to heat a room that a pellet stove would cost $1712, everything else being equal. My personal concern is versus oil heating at $2102, that’s the proportion that’s driving me to install heat pumps. As for only heating the ceiling, there is quite a bit of air churning in a room, I don’t feel it getting hotter when I stand up from a chair, and you could always get a mid-wall unit if you wanted to mount it closer to the floor.

[@jeffmassey769]

If you mix the cement in the bucket of your tractor you won't have to shovel it into your form and clean up is easy.

[@deancollins3713]

Brother you need to get some tools..

[@heindnk]

This helped me a lot, but where did the drain end up?

[@rondail9757]

What size wire you use from your breaker box to the unit? 12/2 or 10/2??

[@dleuschen]

Funny how many don’t know about DIY kits. Keep mentioning vacuum, testing, etc. DON’T NEED IT. ITS DIY

[@jeffbloch6075]

You wrapped the connections before you pressurized the lines. What would have happened if there was a leak?

[@juliosilva1671]

Hi i like the video I would like to know how is the heat part in the winter, does it do a good job how hot can it get 70s 72s ? I want to get one but mainly for the heating part Thank you

[@thefleaflop]

Hi,... I am unsure how to orient the line-set pipes. So, does it matter what end goes on the indoor/outdoor units? Mine are not marked,labeled or otherwise designated to either end... any ideas appreciated. and 3 days waiting for tech support at Mr Cool to respond to what I think is a simple question for the manufacturer.... Seems like no one remembers how they attached the lineset , or weather it mattered....Thanks!

[@FromScratchRanch]

Mine were not labeled either and it does matter which way it goes. I figured it out by the different lengths of the pipe. You just need to look at the connection where the longer one connects to the shorter and the shorter connects to the longer. I think it only goes one way if I remember correctly. It has been over a year since I installed it so having trouble remembering exactly.

[@aaronschinlaub9704]

Census unit was 220 volts did you use 10/2 wiring or 10 3 wire

[@Reddylion]

Nice

[@thabisomodisane1435]

Whats that tool called stud finder? Wher can i get it

[@harmonicwaves8375]

So how did the system perform heating and cooling?

[@cramit]

How is it holding up now?

[@lloydfinley3550]

Great video .

[@hunterm.172]

Hey man-can you give an update/6 month on the ac unit?

[@itsgabegutierrez]

I just saw another video a guy gave a 2 year update. He said it worked fine and had no complaints. I wish I had copied the link.

[@hunterm.172]

@@itsgabegutierrez Thanks for letting me know man I actually just went ahead and bought the unit because I’ve seen a lot of people use it but that makes me feel really good lol

[@scottleighton9149]

This unit still working good?

[@FromScratchRanch]

Yes. It is still working great. We primarily use it for cooling so I cannot really speak about relying on it for heating. It is just our back up heat to our wood stove. But so far so good.

[@natehuber3]

How many bags of cement did it end up taking?

[@SteveNeighbor]

Does anyone know what that white vinyl wrap "tape" is about? They all have it.

[@gvet47]

Bad news the box template did not match the unit! Odd too the instructions did not say which end of the lines went to the right component. Seems like a very possible chance of kinking the lines at the inside unit. So the lines must be sealed to a vacuum that pierces when you make the connection? On a one story installation that is a long set of lines to deal with if you cannot cut them! Seems like it was very close to the ceiling if the inside unit discharges air out of the top. Seems like a through the wall air and heating unit would be easier to install in my garage shop.

[@wilsoncortes1562]

Go to push the whole unit to getting to click

[@frankstein3238]

Hi! How are you liking the unit so far. I know you mentioned that you’d do a review after 1 year. But I’m looking to install this within the next couple months. Anyinformation you have on pros/cons so far would be very appreciated!

[@FromScratchRanch]

It works very well still. The only issue we have is when it is on Cold it condensates a lot, but if we keep it on Auto, it doesn't... Auto works very well to both cool and dehumidify I guess, so now we just keep it on Auto all the time. I think it was more of a user error and just getting it dialed in to our environment. I love the app to control it and it really does keep us cool even in 90-100F degree heat. Two hot summers under our belt now and it still performs without issue. I hope I did not just Jinx myself. We really did not use the heat at all this past winter except to just test it. It did fine to keep it warm in here, but with the wood stove, it was difficult to not just have a fire going at all times. We did have the minisplit set on auto for heat some nights so it would kick on if the fire burned out early and the temp dropped too much, but it really was just a back up and I think it worked. I probably should do some more stress testing on it this coming winter.

[@thedabbler2753]

@@FromScratchRanch how is it doing on power consumption? I am dying g to ditch my old 10 seer central.

[@bgregg55]

Anyone know what the maximum allowable vertical rise between the outside & inside units is?

[@itisaporsche]

I've seen one retailer offer 100ft lines so that may be an indicator

[@Fabio1991fm]

why you add batt insulation? isn't spray foam better? i work for an insulation batt plant and get batts 95% discounted but i heard spray foam makes a house air tight and more efficient. which should i chose? also paper barrier is free for me, should i add paper barrier to my batts if i chose batts? i live in California btw

[@georgefischer3592]

Did you use 30 amp breaker?

[@FromScratchRanch]

Yes. There is 30amp service to the unit. 30amp breaker at the main panel and a shut off at the outside unit.

[@muniznick]

You should preface your video with this DIY system requiring no leak test/vacuum as per Mr Cool, it gets tiring with the supposedly Pro DIYERS berating you about leak testing/vacuuming, all Mr Cool DIY labeled unit installation never has a vacuum done thats why they are more expensive than units requiring more tools/equipment for installation of which I prefer due to custom line set size with no unsightly extra line set rolls coiled up that come with DIY units if you place your condenser close to head unit

[@knuckle47]

Mr. Cool sells a 16’ line set if 25’ seems like too much for you…the coil end is usually eliminated

[@marcalexander5594]

Appreciate the video, but way too many mistakes, like making the connections using channel locks, then covering up the first connection before checking for leaks, then checking for leaks on the last connection before actually opening the gas line so it can flow out to expose a leak, lol. I hope you don't take offense to this comment, but the viewers should know about those little mistakes, so they don't make the same, that's the only reason I posted this. I'm not a professional either, I just watched a couple other videos gearing up to install my own.

[@rondail9757]

That’s not a pre charged line set. The pre charge is in the compressor unit.

[@sldghamr58]

the music going up and down in volume is irritating

[@Mr.B.man.]

You didn’t even check for leaks at the connection where the unit is mounted

[@FromScratchRanch]

I did check for leaks, but the video clips did not turn out so I couldn't use them in the final video.

[@baddog340]

That was so painful to watch. You totally missed the whole leak test process. You were supposed to leak test both ends after opening the valves and pressurizing the lines. You could not leak test the top because you already taped it up. Also, you used the the channel lock pliers backwards on the bottom. You just tightened until the pliers slipped. You just totally lucked out that it all worked.

[@DayClanTribe]

More important than leak test is the vacuum process down to at least 500 microns and hold. This the 2nd Mr Cool install I've seen his morning where no vacuum was done. I don't get it. Am I missing something here with these units?

[@edcottingham1]

@@DayClanTribe I am in the midst of my install and DEFINITELY no expert. But I believe that you are supposed to do nothing like a vacuum test or anything involving gauges with a DIY unit, which this video is installing.

[@DayClanTribe]

@@edcottingham1 I discovered that Mr Cool has managed to figure out a way to create a DIY system that needs no vacuum. I'm amazed and still find it hard to believe since 410a is critical to have fully dehydrated system for longevity otherwise acids will form and short the compressor windings causing catastrophic failure. Mini splits are fantastic and highly efficient technology. Be very thorough during installation to protect your investment and the environment.

[@impactproformance]

1:38 lol that should help you understand

[@icemule]

Their pre charged lines, he also says it in the beginning, my God people are stupid, that's why this is a DIY, NO VACUUM NEEDED!

[@impactproformance]

How is the reliability of mr.cool?

[@desert1cop]

And then you made it harder on yourself cutting another hole on opposite side of the unit connections

[@FromScratchRanch]

I had to because the electrical wires for the wall switches were in the way. Believe me, I did not want to do it this way and if I had planned better, it would have been a lot easier. I did not have a lot of room to work with here and did my best to make it work.

[@CEdmann]

It only goes to the one side not the other.

[@stevenreed6611]

B

[@WhateverItsanOpinion]

The bad part About the system. They start failing under 25ﾟF. They stop heating. If you get into the teens. It will stop working completely. You will always need a backup heater. Because it will fail once it gets around 20ﾟ.. I have one and I hate it in the Winter I end up Is using a space heater every year. And it ends up costing me a lot of money intellectual bills. Look it up every HVAC guy will tell you this I wish I knew this before I installed it..

[@Cactus_Music_BC]

Interesting but holy cow- you didn't use a vacuum pump! I'm surprised it worked at all. And you said you tested for leaks but exactly how did you do that without having the outside unit on line? Exactly what pressurized the lines? What was the point of taking 8 minutes demonstrating pouring a concrete pad? And no anchor bolts? It sort of does show the important part of that installation but I'm a bit concerned for your install unless this unit doesn't need the vacuum pump but every other video shows this important step.

[@Jan-ie5tz]

You dont have to Vacuum the lines by the DIY AC from MrCool. The deliver vacuumed Pipes for the refrigerant

[@claytonjones9861]

@@Jan-ie5tz you must vac out every unit that you pipe up yourself and aslo he did not leak test AT ALL. When leak detecting there must be pressure in the lines other wise whats the point ? How will bubbles appear without pressure ?

[@danfisher6328]

@@claytonjones9861 The Mr. Cool DIY units are pre-charged. Lines and condensor.

[@DayClanTribe]

@@Jan-ie5tz There's no way those are holding a vacuum when installed. They probably have nitrogen in them to displace air but they need a deep vacuum. Especially critical for 410a systems.

[@DayClanTribe]

@@danfisher6328 Precharged condensors is common on many systems, even traditional splits but never the lines that I know of. It doesn't even sound possible.

[@joeyysossa4144]

You forgot to vacume the lines using a AC vacume pump and manifolds before you open the Valves for the refrigerant to flow thru

[@CrazyFloridaMan]

You don't understand this system. No vac lines.

[@briandufty5081]

Where is the Hot girls.

[@hunterm.172]

Be respectful...

[@icemule]

@@hunterm.172 Okay, where's your mom?

[@hunterm.172]

@@icemule With a real man

[@CloudfeatherRusticWorks]

I know this has the wire coming from the head unit that goes to the outside unit, but does this model come with the conduit/wire that goes from the cutoff box to the outside unit?

[@FromScratchRanch]

No it does not. I had to buy that separately.

[@CloudfeatherRusticWorks]

@@FromScratchRanch gotcha. Found one at home depot for about $20, so that's not bad. Thanks.