Top 10 Ductless Accessories

**SURGE PROTECTORS:** Simple and easy-to-install, surge protectors offer added insurance to high-quality ductless installations and help extend the operating life of the system. (Courtesy of RectorSeal)

**OVERFLOW SOLUTION:** Condensate pumps are designed to protect property from drain overflow problems when gravity drains aren't feasible. (Courtesy of RectorSeal)

The ductless HVAC market has grown significantly in the United States over the last 20 year. However, despite that growth, there is still some lack of knowledge about ductless installations on the technician level.

With a little help from the folks at RectorSeal, the editors at the NEWS have developed a Top 10 list of ductless installation accessories. Each one helps to ensure a professional, long-lasting, and time-saving ductless installation. Take a look at the benefits provided by each accessory:

1. Quick Connect Fittings

Push-to-connect refrigerant fittings quickly and securely connect copper and aluminum linesets during ductless installations, and no flaring or brazing is required. Quick connect fittings are compatible with major refrigerants and many offer sight windows for connection verification.

2. Condensate Pumps

When a gravity drain isn’t feasible, condensate pumps are designed to protect property from drain overflow problems. Pumps cover the full range of applications with versatile pump positioning, including left or right install, remote or internal, and vertical or horizontal installations. A few minutes during installation can save years of headaches due to property damage caused by condensate.

3. Condensate Overflow Switches

Blocked condensate drains cause damage to property and the HVAC installer’s integrity. Ductless-designed condensate overflow switches can be installed directly on a primary drain pan or clipped to the coils above the primary drain pan. When drain blockage occurs, a probe senses trouble and shuts down the ductless system to help prevent any water damage. No batteries are required, and most condensate overflow switches are IRC and IMC compliant.

4. External Line Set Covers

Protect, conceal, and add a professional appearance to exposed ductless piping. Premium line set covers are UV stabilized, can be painted, and are easy to install. The ‘snap together’ designs allow for multiple line sets under one cover. Durable line set covers help to avoid damage to ductless systems by protecting the line set, wiring, and drain hoses from weather, vandalism, pet, and pest damage.

5. UV Coil Lights

UV-C light works to keep indoor coils clean and operating at the efficiency levels they were designed to provide. Mini-stick lights are designed specifically for ductless systems where installation space can be challenging. It’s a solution for homeowners with allergy concerns, excess dust, or pet hair.

6. Surge Protectors

When voltage drops or spikes cause damage to ductless systems, it’s often the HVAC installer — not the utility company — who gets blamed. Contractors can protect themselves and their ductless systems by installing a surge protector. Simple and easy-to-install surge protectors offer added insurance to high-quality ductless installations and help extend the operating life of the system. Surge protectors help to avoid a surge of customer complaints, too.

7. Refrigerant Cap Protection

Since 2009, the IMC requires that all outdoor access ports on refrigerant circuits be fitted with locking-type tamper-resistant caps. Locking caps require special tools for installation and removal, easily protecting ductless installation from theft, vandalism, and loss of refrigerant.

8. Installation Bracket

Looking for an extra hand to install wall mount units? Innovative mounting brackets make indoor installations a one-person job. Mounting brackets save time and rescue an installer from potentially costly mistakes when installing ductless systems.

9. External Wall Brackets

When non-ground ductless condenser installations are not possible, a wall bracket saves the day — along with time and effort. Wall brackets are available in sizes for any tonnage and brand of a ductless system. Keep ductless condensers away from the dangers of lawnmowers, snowdrifts, flooding, and other environmental challenges. Hurricane-rated brackets offer additional weather-related protection.

10. Evaporator Coil Cleaners

A clean evaporator coil always provides enhanced heat transfer compared to a dirty coil. Use either aerosol or liquid cleaners to keep ductless coils clean and efficient. Select a non-corrosive, biodegradable coil cleaner to avoid corrosion to coils, surrounding metal, and other ductless equipment components.

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Kyle Gargaro is Editorial Director & Associate Publisher of The ACHR NEWS. He can be reached at 248-244-1720 or kylegargaro@achrnews.com. Gargaro has been with The ACHR NEWS since 2004, first as Legislation Editor, then Managing Editor, and now as Editorial Director & Associate Publisher. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism.