Aircon Pipes, B300 Per Metre, Can I Buy It Myself?

[MaiDong]

We're finally getting our new aircon delivered on Monday, we chose the Mitsubishi 18k BTU, we have been quoted B300 for each extra metre of piping from the compressor to the indoor unit, that sounds like a lot to me, I was wondering if I could buy it cheaper locally for much less and have the installation engineer install it for a few hundred baht...

What kind of piping is used and is it possible to buy it locally? Tape will also be used I assume?

We've been told that the compressor can be up to 10 metres away from the indoor unit, that suits us because we don't want the heat radiating through the wall if the compressor is as close as the current one is, also the door well that the current compressor is in acts as an amplifier so despite the new compressor being much quieter than our current compressor, I'm worried that the vibrations and/or the startup/shutdown of the new compressor will still make use stir in the night, does 10 metres seem a little too far away?

[rgs2001uk]

Are you talking about the copper piping or the plastic conduit they cover it with?

Where did you buy it from, HomePro, are you having the shop you bought it from have their guys fit it, or are you having local guys fit it?

Usually these local guys are cheaper and will have all the piping etc required.

How much have you been quoted to have it fitted?

[MaiDong]

Are you talking about the copper piping or the plastic conduit they cover it with?

Where did you buy it from, HomePro, are you having the shop you bought it from have their guys fit it, or are you having local guys fit it?

Usually these local guys are cheaper and will have all the piping etc required.

How much have you been quoted to have it fitted?

It's a local shop, and come to think of it, it will be the copper piping yes, so that answers my question really doesn't it, there's no way I could get the right gear for less than B300 per metre.

The cost is B29,900 plus B300 per metre for an 18k BTU setup.

[wayned]

In hindsight (20/20), since it's a local shop, you should have negociated "free" installation included in the purchase price. Worked for me.

[MaiDong]

In hindsight (20/20), since it's a local shop, you should have negociated "free" installation included in the purchase price. Worked for me.

I should have mentioned that installation is free, we get up to 4 metres of piping for free, anything over that, and up to 10 metres is B300 per metre extra

Edited March 17, 2013 by MaiDong

[lopburi3]

The shorter the better for efficiency as you will be cooling outside air for the entire run of pipe. If compressor is blowing away from house as it should be there should not be a problem of heat to wall as it is pulling normal air across wall before it heats it up. But best to mount as far away from wall as you can to provide good flow.

[MaiDong]

The shorter the better for efficiency as you will be cooling outside air for the entire run of pipe. If compressor is blowing away from house as it should be there should not be a problem of heat to wall as it is pulling normal air across wall before it heats it up. But best to mount as far away from wall as you can to provide good flow.

Understood, I thought about the efficiency with such a long length of pipe between compressor and fan unit but I'm also worried about spending so much money and ending up with even the slightest noise from the compressor.

I'm limited as to where I put it though, I don't really want to hang it on the outside wall of my bedroom as it'll no doubt vibrate, and we're limited with space elsewhere so I thought I'd put it down in my yard, still thinking though

[Langsuan Man]

300 THB per meter for additional piping is not that bad a price and it would be stupid to try and do it yourself. They have the equipment to do it and if they screw it up, they will fix it.

Pay it and place the unit where you want but thousands of people hang their A/C compressor units on their walls without concern for the noise and vibration you are worried about

You are more likely to hear the inside unit's fan kicking in than the compressor. And as far as the heat radiating through the walls that is a new one on me, you must have really paper thin walls for that to be a concern

[isawasnake]

I have worked on car air conditioners. You would just have to make sure you have some nice o-rings, and make sure they are well lubed up before installing them, I would cinch down the pipe fittings by grabing the BASE of the wrench to avoid overtightening. Use that tender area between your thumb and index, when it hurts, its probably tight enough. That's my method anyway The lube would probably have to be proper ac stuff too, not just any old stuff.

I don't pay Thai people to do anything anymore. Really. I just do it myself.... I figure even if I F it up, it is worth it as I can do it next time for sure.

You'll have to get all the air out of the system too. Maybe you could have the Thais do that part? They should check for leaks and get all the air out of the system. Good luck in any case.

Edited March 18, 2013 by isawasnake

[Pacificperson]

It does not sound that outrageous. Remember you are buying two copper pipes, power wires plus wraps and the hanging of them.