MINI-SPLIT

MAINTENANCE
BEST PRACTICES
www.speedclean.com
Table of Contents
Overview of Mini-Splits......................................................................... 1
Configurations...................................................................................... 1
Advantages.......................................................................................... 2
Importance of Maintenance............................................................. 2
Key Maintenance Results.................................................................... 3
Steps for Proper Ductless Maintenance......................................... 3-4
Cleaning Tools & Materials for Ductless.......................................... 5-6
Step by Step Process...................................................................... 7-10
Dos and Don’ts Chart........................................................................ 11
Types of Mini-Split Air Handlers..................................................... 11-12
Sources................................................................................................ 12
Notes................................................................................................... 13

Intro
Overview of Mini-Splits
While mini-split or “ductless” systems have been around since the ’70s
in Asia, many contractors and consumers in North America are just now
learning about their advantages, installation and proper maintenance.

Many of us use the terms ductless and mini-split synonymously because

the first mini-split units were exclusively small capacity high wall ductless
systems. Today, mini-split manufacturers make many options including
high wall, ceiling cassette, ducted, ceiling mounted and floor mounted.

Configurations
While ductless started as one condensing unit to one air handler it
certainly isn’t limited to 1 to1 nowadays. There are now single phase
multi-zone systems for residential and light commercial and larger
commercial systems known as VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) where a
large number of air handlers often called “heads” can be connected
to a single condensing unit.

SpeedClean is a registered trademark of Crossford International

© Crossford International (2019) All Rights Reserved.

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Advantages
Ductless systems have several key advantages
over traditional ducted unitary systems, one of the
most distinct is the reduction of materials and labor
associated with the installation of ducting.
Typically ductless systems are smaller, lighter and
easier to install and they often make use of inverter
technology and DC motors to make them quiet and
efficient. All of these factors led to the emergence
of ductless as a dominant force in the world and the
fastest growing equipment segment in the USA.
Ductless and VRF systems can be straight cool or heat
pump and most VRF manufacturers offer systems that
can provide heat and cooling simultaneously to the
conditioned space. Because the compressors are often
Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) or “inverter” driven they
can vary the refrigerant pumping capacity according
to load and often provide strong heating delivery even
at low outdoor ambient conditions.

Importance of Maintenance
All systems including ductless and VRF require regular,
periodic cleaning and maintenance to stay in top
working condition.
One key difference between mini-splits and ducted
unitary equipment is that a mini-split generally requires
more air handlers to do the same job as a ducted
system and those air handlers are often mounted in
visible or prominent locations in
the building.
This means that cleaning ductless air handlers often
requires extra diligence and care to prevent property
damage while still accomplishing the
task thoroughly.
Another factor is the size and disassembly of ductless
systems makes cleaning and servicing using typical
processes more challenging and more critical at the
same time due to the smaller coils and blower wheel designs
common in ductless.
Failure to maintain mini-split equipment or improper practices
can result in underperformance, poor air quality and
premature failure.

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Key Maintenance Results Steps for Proper Ductless Maintenance
The old saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” doesn’t apply to ductless
systems. Any professional who works with ductless regularly has seen 1. Pre-Confirm Operation (Make sure the system
issues with ductless systems that could have been easily prevented is functional before starting.)
by proper maintenance procedures. • Set the system to max cooling or heating
The key to proper maintenance results is to follow procedures that • Check that the air handler runs with no abnormal noises
both improve the equipment condition, test for impending issues • Check discharge air temperature from the air handler
while doing no harm to the system or space surrounding the system. • Ensure the condensing unit is running with no unusual noises
• “Feel” test the suction line in cooling mode
Proper Maintenance Procedure Improves:
Energy Efficiency - Clean and well-maintained systems produce
more BTUs per input watt. This leads to savings for the customer on
their utility bill.
System Performance (Comfort) - On ductless systems, dirt on
the coils and blower wheel can quickly lead to poor output,
temperature and humidity control.
Breakdown Prevention - Preventing failures of all types through
cleaning and observation is the top priority of every successful
maintenance. It is also imperative that the technician makes sure
that that they don’t CAUSE any issues in the process.
System Longevity - Proper maintenance can extend system life by
catching impending catastrophic issues and dealing with problems
that can cause abnormal wear.
2. Protect the Customer’s Space
Indoor Air Quality - Cleaner air handlers leads to cleaner air by
removing dirt and microbial growth before it becomes an IAQ issue. • Wear shoe covers
• Lay down drop cloths in the work area
The goal should be to maintain or improve these outcomes while • Move sensitive objects from the work area with the
clearly communicating with the customer about any pre-existing customer’s permission
conditions BEFORE you begin the in-depth maintenance when
possible.
This process of pre-confirmation, detailed cleaning and
maintenance, and post maintenance confirmation ensures that the
job is done correctly, the customer understands the process better
and there is no harm to the system.

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Continued – Steps for Proper Ductless Maintenance 5. Run Test and Observe
3. Visually Inspect the Full System • Carefully reassemble the equipment
• Leave the bib in place and run the blower to dry
• Ensure you are familiar with the manufacturer’s cleaning and • Check for rubbing or unusual noises
disassembly instructions • Test both modes for operation on heat pump systems
• Remove access panels inside and outside as needed for testing • Run the system at full cool if possible
and cleaning
• Inspect for wire or tubing rubouts
• Check electrical connectors
• Look for signs of oil on tubing and at refrigerant connections
• Inspect for signs of abnormal wear on all moving parts

4. Cleaning 6. Take Key Measurements

• Wear PPE as needed
• Measure Compressor, Blower and CFM Amps
• Remove and clean the air filters
• Check applied voltage
• Clean and sanitize the blower wheel
• Measure outlet air temperature & delta T
• Clean and sanitize the evaporator coil
• Check suction pressure and superheat at full cooling
• Wash the condenser coil
• Remove debris from around the condenser base and wash
the coil
• Clean the drain line and condensate pump (if applicable)

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Cleaning Tools & Materials for Ductless

Proper PPE
When working with HVAC equipment, wearing
proper PPE is always required. When cleaning it’s
smart to wear safety goggles and gloves to keep
cleaner out of your eyes and off your skin ESPECIALLY
when using more caustic cleaners (which aren’t
recommended).

Drop Cloth(s) & Towel

Make sure to protect the work area around the
ductless air handler by laying down a clean drop
cloth below the system.
A large towel handy by the air handler while cleaning
can be useful for accidental spills.

Rags
Have several microfiber or terry cloth rags nearby
for wiping down the cabinet and drain pan and
catching stray droplets of water.

Soft Bristle Brushes

An assortment of soft bristle brushes can be useful
for removing heavier soil from the coils and small
brushes can help to clean tight spots.

Mini-Split Bib® Kit

Ductless air handlers can be challenging to
disassemble which can lead to time-consuming
cleaning and costly damage.
The Mini-Split Bib® Kit allows a technician to clean
a ductless blower wheel and evaporator coil
while it remains in place on the wall with minimal
disassembly. The Mini-Split Bib® Kit protects the area
around the unit and drains the cleaner, dirt, and
water away into a bucket where it can be disposed
of without damage to the surrounding surfaces.
The kit comes with everything you need – bib with
tightening system, wall bracket, wall deflector, MSB-KIT
adhesive tape and 5 gallon bucket.
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Continued – Cleaning Tools & Materials for Ductless

CoilJet® Coil Cleaner

Because ductless systems are often in tight
areas near surfaces that cannot be damaged
it’s important to have a cleaning system that
can provide water and cleaner at appropriate
pressure and flow rates for ductless systems. The
CoilJet® is a self-contained system that allows you
to add the water and liquid cleaner before you
enter the work area. It contains enough of each to
fully clean the system without a need to refill.

Wet/Dry Vacuum
A good, clean wet/dry vacuum can be used to
clean out the drain as well as clean up dirt and CJ-125
debris from inside and around the condenser
base. It is also a good backup plan should you
ever accidentally spill water inside the space.

Safe Cleaners
Using a safe, non-caustic, alkaline foaming
cleaner/degreaser like SpeedyFoam® Coil
Cleaner is the best bet for cleaning both the
evaporator and condenser coils on most
ductless systems.
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Contact Cleaner
When insect nests or corrosion are present on
circuit boards or other controls, it is good to have
some contact cleaner handy to clean them. Take
care not to spray contact cleaner on plastic parts
as it can result in damage.

Dry Steam Coil & Surface Cleaner

Some applications and customers require water only for
cleaning due to chemical sensitivities. The Dry Steam
Coil & Surface Cleaner from SpeedClean® does an
incredible job of cleaning and sanitizing with high-
temperature dry steam which uses minimal water stored
in the onboard tank.

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Step by Step Process
Discuss how the system has been functioning • Electrical routing, strapping and installation
with the customer and review the
• Safe installation and mounting of the
maintenance process with them.
condenser and air handler
Review the work area and lay down drop
• Proper breaker sizes and disconnects
cloths as needed. Remove fragile or sensitive
items from the work area with the customer’s • Visible oil on or around the condensing
permission and as allowed by the policies of unit or ports which can indicate possible
your company. refrigerant leak points

Set up a ladder or step stool in the • Damage to covers or louvers

work area as needed in a safe • Damage to the blower wheel or condensing
manner. fan blade
Run the equipment in maximum cooling if • Missing screws or port caps
ambient conditions allow and observe the • Damaged tubing insulation
air handler outlet air dry bulb temperature.
Most of ductless systems will have an outlet • Microbial growth and smell for signs of its
air temperature between 40° to 50°F after a presence
few minutes of operation at maximum cooling
If you do notice anything out of the ordinary,
during normal indoor temperatures. This helps
bring it to the customer’s attention so they
you ensure that the system doesn’t have
have the option to have you address it before
major operational issues before starting the
you begin the maintenance.
maintenance.
Safely disconnect power and test from leg to
WARNING: BE CAREFUL NOT TO INSERT A
leg and hot to ground on each high voltage
TEMPERATURE PROBE INTO THE SPINNING
leg to ensure that there is no electrical
BLOWER WHEEL, OR YOU WILL END UP WITH A
potential present.
SHREDDED PROBE AND WHEEL.
WARNING: INVERTER DRIVEN DUCTLESS
Use a temperature clamp or a simple “feel”
SYSTEMS CONTAIN LARGE CAPACITORS THAT
test of the suction line near the condenser
CAN HOLD A CHARGE FOR QUITE SOME
to ensure that the suction line temperature
TIME AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN DISCONNECTED
is dropping below 55°F, as another quick
FROM POWER. USE CAUTION AND FOLLOW
operation confirmation before disassembly.
MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATIONS AND
Listen for abnormal sounds while reviewing the SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
condensing unit and air handler(s) and setting
Always review manufacturer recommended
up your tools and work areas.
disassembly and maintenance guidelines
before working on a new type of system for
Visually Inspect the system prior to the first time. Most manufacturers have online
disassembly for - portals where you can find service guides and
even videos to help you with disassembly and
• Signs of condensate leakage or staining at or service.
below the air handler
• Proper pitch of the drain when visible
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Continued – Step by Step Process

ALWAYS WEAR PROPER SAFETY PPE WHEN A 4

CLEANING AND SERVICING ANY HVAC
EQUIPMENT
Cleaning the condenser coil is a critical part of every
HVAC/R maintenance but especially on ductless
systems because they often have tightly spaced fins
that can be easily blocked.
It’s important to use mild cleaners and controlled
water pressure to keep from damaging the coils and
the electrical components.
The majority of ductless systems discharge air to the
side and can be cleaned against the airflow by
removing the front grille or top.
It’s a good idea to cover motors and controls with
plastic bags or the adhesive wrap included (see
image A) with the Mini-Split Bib® Kit if they are
exposed in the cleaning area. If any electrical
components do accidentally get wet you can
carefully use nitrogen or compressed air to dry them
off completely before proceeding. 2

NOTE: Many technicians opt to clean ductless condensers

from the outside/in and this may be the best option
especially when access is difficult and the soil is light.

When cleaning with the flow of air be

careful not to force soil deeper into the
coil. When cleaning the condenser this is
the method we have found most effective -
1. Pre-rinse the coil with water working from top to
bottom and against the flow of air, inside out.
2. Foam the entire coil with properly mixed, mild
foaming cleaner like SpeedyFoam® on both
sides, building the foam from bottom to top.
3. Allow the cleaner to work for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Rinse well from top to bottom from inside out
if possible. A product like the SpeedClean®
CoilJet® offers extension wands to easily clean
from the inside out.
Clean any debris or dirt from around the base of the
condenser and from inside the base pan if there is
any using water and a wet/dry vacuum as required.
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Continued – Step by Step Process
process so the cleaners are pulling through the
drain and working to remove buildup. 1
Remove and clean the air filters
Always clean out all sludge from the drain pan
outside with water and allow them and from under the coil using rags or brushes.
to dry.
If the system has a condensate pump, the
When cleaning the evaporator and blower pump reservoir should be removed and
wheel do not use compressed air or nitrogen. cleaned. Make sure to clean the float and
This can embed soil deeper into the coil and screen if the pump uses them. Then use
spread microbes and grime through the nitrogen or CO2 to blow out the condensate
system. Instead, use the Mini-Split Bib® Kit to discharge line. Make sure to keep harsh
clean the evaporator coil, blower wheel, and cleaners out of the pump and refill and test
the internal shroud. the pump completely before finishing.
1. Remove the outer filter cover(s), louvers and Inspect all of the wiring and tubing inside the 2
shroud as required to gain access to the coil air handler and condensing units for signs of
and blower. chafing or rubouts.
2. Attach the bib system with the adjustable
Inspect and check electrical connectors, lugs,
brackets.
and terminals for tightness.
3. Protect the wall with the included deflector
plates. Reassemble the units as much as possible
while leaving the Mini-Split Bib® Kit in place to
4. Protect electronics with included
catch any residual water.
adhesive wrap.
5. Clean the coils, fans and more with the When reassembling the units ensure that no
CoilJet® and the flexible wand adapter for wires or sensors have moved out of place
great results even in tight spaces. or become pinched and that no electrical
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components have gotten wet.
6. Rinse with water.
7. Use a quality, safe anti-microbial treatment Perform a quick run test of the inside unit by
on the evaporator surface such as BBJ turning the power back on and setting the
Mold Control. control to fan (blower) only operation. This will
allow you to listen to the operation and make
8. Leave the bib in place for the unit to dry.
sure there are no abnormal sounds and it will
In some cases, when the blower wheel is very allow any excess water to blow off of the coil.
dirty, it may be easier to remove the wheel Once the unit stops dripping water you can
and clean it outside. Even in these cases it still shut off power once again and remove the
makes sense to use the Mini-Split Bib® Kit to Mini-Split Bib® Kit.
get the evaporator coil completely clean.
If you are not familiar with the manufacturer’s 7
If the customer has chemical sensitivities, using testing guidelines, now would be a good
the Dry Steam Coil & Surface Cleaner will be time to review the service manual so you are
a superior solution for cleaning the coil. aware of the specific test procedures the
If the system has a gravity drain it is a good manufacturer recommends. While there are
practice to run several gallons of water some good general test procedures to follow,
through the drain with the wet/dry vacuum nothing beats the manufacturer’s guidelines,
attached to the outlet. Some technicians run especially for complex ductless systems.
the vacuum during the entire coil cleaning

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Continued – Step by Step Process Delta h x cfm x 4.5 = Operating Btuh transfer

Now is the time to perform minimally By utilizing manufacturer data compared to

actual delivered capacity, you can confirm
invasive run testing. whether or not the system is delivering the
Allow the system to run 10+ minutes to stabilize desired capacity.
and for coils to dry before performing any
For advanced testing, it is always best to rely
tests. Ductless systems have critical charges
on manufacturer’s recommendations. In some
that are weighed in based on line length
cases, it will be best to weigh out and re-weigh
at startup. Because of this, it generally isn’t
in the charge to manufacturers specs if the
recommended to connect refrigerant gauges
charge appears to be off.
to the system during testing. If you must
connect to the refrigerant circuit a hoseless If the ambient conditions allow for it, run the
test probe or gauge is often the best choice. system long enough to confirm condensate
Here are some tests to perform: production and proper drainage. Ensure there
are no drips or leaks of condensate at the air
• Measure compressor and condenser fan
handler.
amperage at high cool
• Measure the applied voltage Test both modes of operation if the
system is a heat pump.
• Test the suction line temperature at the
condenser Make sure to clean up everything both inside
and outside and do a final walk through to
• Take the indoor air outlet and inlet
ensure that the system is running properly with
temperature
no abnormal sounds. Ensure that all screws
For more advanced testing in cases where and caps are back in place, disconnects
system performance is in question, you are in place and closed and all tools and
can measure suction pressure which will materials are put away.
often equate to a 35° to 45° saturation, and
Make the customer aware that you are
superheat which should generally be quite low
complete and discuss what tasks you
(around 5°F).
performed. Ask the customer what setting
You can also confirm delivered capacity, they would like you to leave the system at and
which is the amount of BTUs of heat being reset the control.
actively removed from the air.
Use two thermo-hygrometer (a.k.a humidity)
probes — one in the intake and one in the
discharge air — to calculate input and output
wet bulb and dry bulb temps. Many wireless
probes will automatically calculate the
delivered capacity that can then be checked
against manufacturer data.
If you don’t have an app-based humidity
probe, you simply convert wet bulb
temperature to enthalpy (h), subtract the
lower enthalpy from the higher enthalpy, and
then use this calculation:

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Dos and Don’ts

Do Don’t

Prepare the cleaning area carefully Damage surfaces around the system

Perform a detailed cleaning Believe “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”

Protect electronics Compromise electronics with water

Use safe and gentle cleaners Damage the coils with harsh chemicals

Make use of safe water pressure for cleaning Use pressurized air or nitrogen on coils

Use non-invasive test methods Treat ductless like a typical system

Communicate with the customer Leave the customer wondering what you did

Types of Mini-Split Air Handlers

High Wall Cassette

Highwall units are the type we’ve covered in this process and are the Ceiling cassette units are recessed up into the ceiling rather than being
most common type of ductless systems by far. mounted on the wall. Consider using the special Mini-Split Cassette
Bib® Kit which works similar to versions for high wall units.

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Continued – Types of Mini-Split Air Handlers

Vertical Ducted Horizontal Ducted Floor Mounted

Many traditionally ductless manufacturers Many horizontal ducted air handlers are Floor mounted ductless systems are very similar
have begun manufacturing vertical ducted concealed above ceilings and are designed to highwall but, are mounted on the floor.
systems that are configured very similarly to be on very short, low static duct systems. In Usually, a combination of plastic sheeting
to traditional split systems but, with ductless some cases, the Mini-Split Cassette Bib® Kit over the drop cloth can be used to protect
style controls and components. They can be can be used under these systems to assist with the flooring in conjunction with a wet/dry
cleaned like a typical split but, take care to cleaning. vacuum and the CoilJet® Coil Cleaner System
protect the electronics contained in them. will be an effective strategy. This is a great
application for the Dry Steam Coil & Surface
Cleaner due to the lower water output
combined with powerful cleaning.

Sources
https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/07/f33/The%20Future%20of%20AC%20Report%20-%20Full%20Report_0.pdf

https://www.achrnews.com/articles/137150-mini-split-heat-pumps-are-one-of-the-fastest-growing-hvac-sectors

https://www.achrnews.com/articles/102091-history-lesson-ductless-has-come-a-long-way

https://www.achrnews.com/blogs/16-guest-blog/post/136360-ductless-systems-can-be-tricky

https://www.speedclean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/MiniSplitBibKit_Tips.pdf

https://www.speedclean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/MiniSplitBibKit_SellSheet.pdf

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Notes

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