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Can a ductless mini-split heat pump be installed for a walk-in cooler?

kmmcalpine | Posted in Mechanicals on

I have a contractor that installed a Fujitsu AOU12RLS3/ASU12RLS3 in a walk-in cooler for a restaurant. They claimed that it was more efficient than a traditional cooling system. Is this an acceptable installation for this system?

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    Kristin,
    My first question would be, "What is the minimum temperature it supplies?"

  2. kmmcalpine | | #2

    I am not sure, all I was told was that it is a standard walk-in cooler for a restaurant.

  3. user-2310254 | | #3

    Kristin. I did a quick search and found this site (https://www.storeitcold.com/ac-selection/). It suggests to me that mini splits are frequently used for walk-in refrigerators.

  4. kmmcalpine | | #4

    Thank you.

  5. sgbotsford | | #5

    This has come up in several other forums. There are issues with it:

    A: You are running the compressor right at it's ragged edge of performance.

    B: As you try to get colder it becomes less effective at cooling. It is absolutely critical that you have no air leaks and you have good insulation. Air lock entrance, and infrequent use are best.

    C: They can be adequate for keeping things cold, but they aren't pumping a lot of heat so they are slow at getting things cold.

    D: The closer you want the temperature to freezing the worst they are.

    E: Since they aren't designed or this, the fins can block completely with ice making the unit useless at cooling, then taking a long time to thaw.

    For certain uses: Making a room to hang game to age, say, or a very small walk in cooler they may work.

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