Concealment of heat pump pipes and cables

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elpenguino

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#225669 29-Nov-2017 17:20

Hi zoners,

we have a possibility of fitting a high wall heat pump in the near future. I'm not a fan of the big plastic tube running down the outside of the house and wonder if its kosher to conceal the pipes and tubes inside the wall.

House is 60s weatherboards, framing and gib so nothing high tech there.

I am wondering if the size of holes required in the dwangs and studs would weaken the timbers.

What have you done to conceal your bits n bobs?

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

gregmcc

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#1910662 29-Nov-2017 17:45

Yes it is possible, quite frequently done in new builds.

As far as an existing build it would be very difficult to pull new pipes thru a wall that had holes pre-cut in the wood as the HVAC pipes are not flexible like a electric cable.

Ideally if you are pre drilling holes, get your HVAC person pre-fit pipes. Remember that the size of pipes also vary according to the size of A/C unit so it's not a one size pipe fits all A/C's (same for the power cables which are somewhat easier to retro-fit than A/C pipes)

richms

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#1910677 29-Nov-2017 18:10

Sure is. Rip the gib off, let them do their thing and then re-line the wall and redecorate it. Im not sure why so many people put up with that eyesore ducting on their aircon installs.

Richard rich.ms

Starscream122

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#1910681 29-Nov-2017 18:13

richms:

Sure is. Rip the gib off, let them do their thing and then re-line the wall and redecorate it. Im not sure why so many people put up with that eyesore ducting on their aircon installs.

Cost

elpenguino

3421 posts

Uber Geek

#1910694 29-Nov-2017 18:47

gregmcc:

Yes it is possible, quite frequently done in new builds.

As far as an existing build it would be very difficult to pull new pipes thru a wall that had holes pre-cut in the wood as the HVAC pipes are not flexible like a electric cable.

Ideally if you are pre drilling holes, get your HVAC person pre-fit pipes. Remember that the size of pipes also vary according to the size of A/C unit so it's not a one size pipe fits all A/C's (same for the power cables which are somewhat easier to retro-fit than A/C pipes)

aha....

So I would be better off to remove my dwangs, make new ones, pre drill and fit them.

Wonder if i can fit a couple of 75mm ducts to allow for future installation?

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

elpenguino

3421 posts

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#1910696 29-Nov-2017 18:48

Starscream122:

richms:

Sure is. Rip the gib off, let them do their thing and then re-line the wall and redecorate it. Im not sure why so many people put up with that eyesore ducting on their aircon installs.

Cost

That old chestnut.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

elpenguino

3421 posts

Uber Geek

#1910697 29-Nov-2017 18:49

richms:

Sure is. Rip the gib off, let them do their thing and then re-line the wall and redecorate it. Im not sure why so many people put up with that eyesore ducting on their aircon installs.

In my case, it's even worse cos the house has cathedral ceilings so not just a wall has to come off.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

gregmcc

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#1910698 29-Nov-2017 18:50

The problem is that when the HVAC guy comes along it will be near impossible to get the pipes thru the ducts with out damaging the pipes, if you have the wall open put the pipes in then

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Coil

6614 posts

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#1910700 29-Nov-2017 18:51

elpenguino:

richms:

Sure is. Rip the gib off, let them do their thing and then re-line the wall and redecorate it. Im not sure why so many people put up with that eyesore ducting on their aircon installs.

In my case, it's even worse cos the house has cathedral ceilings so not just a wall has to come off.

Don't tell us its a lockwood.

elpenguino

3421 posts

Uber Geek

#1910701 29-Nov-2017 18:52

Ok, I wont tell you.

Pssst it's not a lockwood.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

richms

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#1910705 29-Nov-2017 18:57

Also dont get the pipes put in and then leave it for a long time before the work happens. Friend did that, pipes were left open and they refused to use them as they could have been contaminated or have crap living in them etc.

Richard rich.ms

Aredwood

3885 posts

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#1910711 29-Nov-2017 19:06

If done properly, the pipes will be leak tested, tempoarlly linked together, and pressurised with nitrogen gas.

Then the pipes can sit for as long as necessary, and the installer then just checks that the nitrogen hasn't leaked out. And he then knows that the pipes are still completely clean, dry, and no leaks.