Key Points
- HVAC accessories can make or break the efficacy, efficiency, and durability of your heating and cooling hardware.
- Some accessories improve air quality, such as air cleaners and humidifiers. Others help with setup or safety, like equipment pads, line set covers, and float switches.
- CoolGuard accessories are a great option, especially for do-it-yourself mini split installations, to improve the quality of the install and protect the hardware from damage.
Let’s use our imagination for a moment, shall we? Picture this: you’ve just bought a brand new, highly efficient mini split for your bedroom. You unbox the condenser, and then the air handler, and you think you’ve got everything you need. But wait, where are the gauge adapters? What about an equipment pad that will prolong the lifespan of your condenser? The truth is that not everything you’ll need for an install will come in the box, even for mini split models meant for homeowners to install themselves. You’ll need to buy these useful HVAC accessories, but where can you find them? Lucky for you, IWAE is a one-stop shop for everything you need for a do-it-yourself mini split installation.
What Are HVAC Accessories?
Broadly speaking, an HVAC accessory is any item that you use to help your heating and cooling system operate. Some of these accessories are essential, and some are simply good to have. Some accessories work in tandem with your main heating and cooling system to improve functionality or air quality, such as:
- Thermostats
- Air Cleaners
- Humidifiers
- Dehumidifiers
Other accessories are meant to improve durability or aid in the installation process:
- Equipment Pads
- Weld Brackets
- Line Set Covers
- Sealant
- Electrical Whips
- Surge Protectors
You might also want to consider accessories that help you mitigate common HVAC issues like condensate buildup:
- Float Switches
- Condensate Pumps
- Drain Hoses
- Condensate Trap Kits
What AC Accessories Do You Need?
What you need will largely depend on what type of system is getting installed in your home. Mini split installations are very different from central ducted installations—one difference being that most central ducted installations will have to be completed by a professional HVAC technician. A qualified technician should have everything they need to safely install your system without voiding the warranty. If you’re choosing from IWAE’s lineup of affordable, efficient HVAC systems, make sure to work with your installer to grab everything they need for a quality installation.
If you’re doing the setup yourself, you’re most likely installing a ductless mini split. In that case, there are several accessories that are either completely necessary for the install or will greatly improve the quality of your install. Let’s look at the parts and accessories recommended for the 12k BTU 23 SEER2 IWAE TruInverter Ductless Mini Split Heat & AC:
- Line Sets (either a MrCool DIY Ductless Split System Line Set or a technician-installed line set)
- Line Set Coupler
- Equipment Pad
- Weld Bracket
- Condensate Pump
- Disconnect Switch
- Electrical Whip
- Cleaning Kit
- Gauge Adapters
- Foam Sealant
This may seem like a long list, and you might worry about how each item increases your overall price tag, but here’s the truth: A traditional install would rely on this list, too. Most of these are necessary items that will enhance the quality of your installation, but even the parts that are technically optional do wonders to prolong the lifespan of your unit and increase its operating efficiency.
Quality HVAC Accessories Through CoolGuard
If you’re looking for HVAC accessories you can trust, give our newest offering a try: CoolGuard accessories. With its ever-expanding lineup of AC accessories, CoolGuard will protect your whole home climate. Here are just a few of the quality offerings you can get through CoolGuard.
Float Switches
Do you know what a float switch is? It may look unassuming, but it’s a critical safety component in your HVAC system. Float switches help your unit determine if your condensate lines get clogged. You might not think that condensate drain lines can get clogged, since they’re meant to drain condensate byproducts (water) from your unit, but lines often get clogged with algae and other materials that prevent condensate from draining properly. If this happens, you run the risk of water damage to your unit. Float switches catch these clogs early and shut off your unit so that it won’t take on extra damage.
Weld Brackets
You’ll often see weld brackets used for side-discharge mini split mounts. Made of sturdy and durable metal components, weld brackets are important stabilization pieces that secure the outdoor condenser and prevent vibration damage when it runs. This accessory is used primarily for wall-mounted systems, but CoolGuard offers weld brackets for ground mounts, too! Elevate your condenser off the ground to prevent water and debris damage.
Condensate Trap Kits
Short-term memory test: remember that float switch we just talked about? If you want the full condensate prevention kit, get one of these. Condensate trap kits include everything you’ll need to prevent condensate-related issues in your AC unit, including:
- A trap body
- A float switch
- Access caps
- Cleaning brushes
Drain Hoses
Does it seem like a lot of accessories are tailored to deal with condensate? Well, that’s because condensate poses a huge threat to the lifespan of your unit. Condensate is a natural byproduct of the cooling process. The harder your system has to work to keep your home comfortable, the more moisture will drip from the coils. Giving that condensate a safe path out of your unit is critical. That’s where drain hoses come in. A drain tube is a pipe or plastic hose that allows the condensate produced by your system to flow out safely, preventing mold growth and stopping flooding issues before they can start.
Condensate Pumps
Do you have so much condensate in your basement that natural processes aren’t enough to drain it? There are several reasons you might struggle to effectively remove condensate from your HVAC system. If you allow condensate to drain naturally to the ground without a floor drain, the water will pool around your unit since it has nowhere else to go. If you have a vertical lift in your unit, you’ll need help getting the water out because, well, water can’t flow up. In either of these cases, you’ll want a condensate pump. This is a small mechanical device that will push collected condensate through your drain hose so that it doesn’t collect dangerously.
Equipment Pads
If you’re installing your outdoor condenser on the ground, you’ll want to invest in a quality equipment pad. You always want to create a sturdy, level base for your outdoor condenser. Doing so reduces the risk of vibration damage, improves stability, and prevents damage that might come from being placed directly on the dirt, like flooding and debris buildup. You could splurge on laying a concrete pad, or you could use one of CoolGuard’s rugged plastic alternatives.
Guard Your Indoor Climate at IWAE
From HVAC minutiae like replacement AC parts and heating and cooling accessories to the big purchases like geothermal heat pumps and mobile home package units, IWAE has you covered. We can serve any heating and cooling issue you come across, whether that’s an old system or an auxiliary heating need. Call our team of whole home experts today to find the best solution to your AC needs. With over twenty years of experience in the HVAC industry, IWAE will set you up with the perfect indoor climate in no time. Browse our selection of top-tier HVAC solutions now.
