How Close To the Ceiling Can You Mount a Mini Split Air Handler? - Ask the Expert Episode 218

Today's question comes from Robert Ferguson. "Hey Dan, how close to the ceiling can can you mount a mini split air handler?" Of course we're going to assume that he is talking about the indoor air handler for a ductless mini split system. This is actually a question we get a lot. The right answer is to always check the installation manual. In the installation manual, they should have in there somewhere the measurements - so far from the sides, so far from the ground, and so far from the ceiling - in which you can mount a mini split air handler. For example, we get a lot of these questions for the MrCool DIY. There needs to be at least 5.9 inches from the top of the air handler to the ceiling. It is very important that you have that space because the air handler pulls in a lot of air from the top. Then it blows it out through the bottom. If you installed it flush with the ceiling, it's not going to be able to get any air and it's not going to work properly. If you have questions, please ask in the comments below!
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Matt
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I plan on mounting a 12k 110v system in my great room. The height of ceiling is 15'. What suggested height do you recommend mounting the evaporator?
Dan Danowski
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The installation manual should give you a range of options for varying ceiling height. Typically it's something like, if your ceiling is X feet, then install the unit at Y height, and so forth. Generally, the higher the better so long as you're in line with the clearances.
Michael Ong
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Mitsubishi mini split wall mount says on the manual the minimum to install the plate is 2" 1/8 when installing the unit it's close to the ceiling.
Rebekah Quarles
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If the manual lists that distance as the minimum, then it seems that the air handler can be placed further from the ceiling.
Ron Holloway
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On a 8 ft ceiling how far from ceiling is recommended to mount your mini split.
Rebekah Quarles
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The recommended distance from the top of the unit to the ceiling is 5.9" to 6".
Mark Plummer
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My ceiling height is 8' My air handler states to have 7.9" clearance above the unit and 8' below it. Which clearance can I compromise?
Rebekah Quarles
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While I am not sure of the model of your system, it's more than likely a recommendation. You may want to try a distance of 78.5" from the bottom of the unit to the floor, since your ceiling is less than 9 feet tall. This may depend on the dimensions of your unit, as well.
Jessica Lammon
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How much clearance space should be underneath? Top and sides are great with space but I have a tall cabinet with about 3 inches underneath Fujitsu DC inverter? Thank you Just moved in.
Rebekah Muller
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There should be ample space beneath the air handler so that it can produce proper airflow. If you are installing it in this location, you may want to reconsider. If it is already installed in this location, then it may be fine, unless the cabinet obscures the airflow.
kim ballard
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What difference or issues would there be if I mount the Mr Cool DYI handler 4.9 instead of 5.9 inches from the ceiling ?Please be specific . Thanks
Rebekah Muller
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There wouldn't really be many issues if your installation necessitates having the air handler slightly closer to the ceiling than the recommended distance. That distance is recommended so that the unit will have enough space to receive appropriate airflow. One issue that you may run into is less space to open the air handler cabinet.
Joe
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I am finishing a 50'x16' basement with 12' ceilings.  Planning to install two 12k wall mount air handlers on the 50' exterior wall 14 foot on center (7' from center line of wall) to avoid obstacles & windows. - any concerns with this setup.   Currently the air handlers are 8'6" from the base of the unit to the floor - could they be installed higher?  - like 9 - 10 foot?   If they could be installed at the 10-foot height I could place them further apart at 28 ft on Center. Minisplit brand is MrCool DIY
Rebekah Muller
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That seems like a good plan. They can be installed as high as you need, but it may be more difficult to experience direct airflow from that high. If that is not a concern, then it should be fine. Just be sure that there is appropriate airflow around the unit, and that they are easily accessible so that you can remove the filters to wash them.
Steven
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If it to close to the ceiling will it cause it to freeze and leak
Dan Danowski
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It won't necessarily freeze or leak. However, it might not have sufficient space around it to run optimally.
Carl
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I have a finished loft above garage that has an angled ceiling. If I install left corner of indoor unit tight to ceiling there is 8" clearance above center of unit and 12" clearance from right top corner. If I install top left corner of unit 6" from ceiling it lowers the unit 6" more. Neither position is as high as recommended, although I feel both would work. How critical is space above top left corner of unit considering ample clearance in center and right top. I'm thinking of installing the mounting plate at left top corner with clearance necessary to allow for hanging unit. It would give me the most height possible in my situation. Does this sound right to you?
Dan Danowski
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The minimum clearance above the indoor unit is 6 inches, to provide unobstructed air flow into the unit. The indoor unit must be installed plumb, level and cannot be installed at an angle. Otherwise what you describe sounds reasonable.
Jesse
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Hello. I am planning to install my Mr Cool DIY above a window at the end of our bonus room. There are two closets facing each other on either side of the window making the area I plan to install recessed from the rest of the room by maybe 3 feet or so. Is it best that I build out a box or soffit above the window to push the air handler out into the room and improve circulation through the whole room, or would it work just as well mounted directly above the window? Thank you.
Dan Danowski
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The key is ensuring you meet the clearance specifications for the top, sides, and bottom as detailed in the manual. If a regular wall installation would not allow that, it might be better to build out some kind of extension for the air handler.
Michael
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Would there be any issues with mounting the air handler in a corner like a triangle like with one side next to one wall and the other side different wall
Kyle
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I have not heard of that. I presume you would have the air handler on some kind of mounting board. Provided that you could place the air handler with all the necessary clearances on every side on a level and stable surface, it should work.
David W Morris
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Can you mount the condenser on the rear bumper of a travel trailer and the wall unit on the ceiling inside if there's no wall space available? if not what's your best recommendation?
Dan Danowski
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We have seen folks install the condenser on the outside of a trailer. But you definitely cannot install a wall unit on a ceiling. The condensate would be constantly dripping out of the unit. You would need a ceiling cassette for a ceiling.
Peter Rudis
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Where I need to mount the 12K inside unit, it's over a corner closet that juts out into the room and there's only 36" of wall space above. Can I center it for aesthetic reasons, or do I need to keep the side that's near another wall, the minimum side distance away? The wall is on the right side facing the unit.
Dan Danowski
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We always recommend adhering to the minimum installation requirements to ensure maximum comfort and long term performance.
Maurizio Facheris
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can a air handler meant to be mounted on a wall (vertical) be mounted on the ceiling (horizontal)?
Dan Danowski
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No, we would not recommend that.
Forest
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There are no intakes on the sides, so how important is side clearance? Mounting a 9k air handler above a hallway entrance, where there will only be 3 inches on each side (1 3/4 inches short of the recommended clearance).
Dan Danowski
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It is important to meet all the clearances. Strictly speaking, it will still work if you don't meet the side clearances.
James
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I only have 94 inch height from floor to ceiling will a mini split still be ok for me
Dan Danowski
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Yes, it should be.
Pete
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I have 10 foot ceilings in my gatage. I would like to mount bottom of mini split air handler at 100 inches from floor this will leave 7 inches from top of air handle to the ceiling. Manual say minimum top height is 5.9 inches from the ceiling. Manual say bottom of air handler suggested to be no higher than 90 inches from floor for ceilings over 9 feet. What is the rationale for no higher than 90. What will I lose by mounting unit at 100 inches.
Kyle
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Most of the installation instructions I've seen do not require you to put the air handler a specific distance from the floor. For example, the MrCool DIY suggests a floor clearance of 90.55 inches on a 9 foot ceiling meaning that you need that clearance at minimum. You can have greater floor clearance without an issue.
Tim Moore
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I have a limited space on the gable end of a wall, the clearances are there but it is above an exterior door. Can I still mount it above this door knowing I may loose some efficiency? Any other drawbacks?
Kyle
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Your main concern is getting the proper clearance on the top, sides, and bottom. If you have all that, mounting it above the door isn't a major issue.
Bob
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My home has little exterior useable wall space since it’s a geodesic home. Can I install the interior air handler a few inches above the floor on a short wall?
Kyle
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Technically speaking, it will still function installed not far from the floor. However, there are going to be some serious drawbacks. The fan on a mini-split blows the air out through the bottom forward corner of the air handler. It best distributes conditioned air when higher up on a wall. Near the floor, it's not going to distribute that air as well. Which means you will likely have inferior performance compared to mounting it up higher.
chuck dart
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How close can you install two mini split outside condensors assuming the long sides are parallel. ? I've purchased my first Diy 27k and want to plan for the second. The manual, page 23, shows 79" on air outlet side. No problem doing 79" for #1 facing a wall. But an additional 79" from #1 to #2 seems excessive. If that is indeed the case can you recommend a suitable layout. The connections side is facing a perpendicular wall where disconnect will be located.
Kyle
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A mini split condenser needs to have the necessary clearances all around it, and that would include any obstruction caused by a second condenser. There would be no exception made for that. As to a layout that could work, you could mount one of the condensers using a wall bracket to get it up off the ground and away from the other condenser.
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