Multihead split System installed 6 years ago - Did not attach Drainage!

schwinn on 06/01/2023 - 01:41

Hi All,

I bought a townhouse 6 years ago as an investment property, and when I moved in, I found out through a series of AC investigations that the multihead split system was stuffed.

I got an ac installation company to install a brand new fujitsu system, and it worked well - but the first summer back then, i received reports of the AC leaking, particularly on hot days from tenants. I called them a couple of times, and they didn't pickup or return my calls/emails. However, it didn't happen all the time, so we just carried on and just dealt with the leaks when they happened once or twice a year.

However, this week I decided to go and have a proper look, and after removing the facade, we found that the AC's did not have any pipe connected to the drainage tray for condensation. The 2 head units share the same wall back to back, neither had any drainage pipes, which leads me to think that they completely didn't install any drainage for condensation. Considering it was a massive job (we had to repipe everything, cut holes through the gyprock etc), they probably knew it was an issue back then and just decided to ignore my calls back then. Had i known this was the issue 6 years ago I would have pushed harder.

What are my chances or options to get this fixed, whether by the original mob or by another AC group? I suppose the immediate solution is to pipe the AC condensation internally into the room, but this is not desirable as it involves unsightly tubes coming from the AC, and a bucket that will need to be emptied.

Advice?

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • ozdesi on 06/01/2023 - 01:52
    +6

    Get your chosen company who installed Fujitsu to service the aircon. Inform them upfront about tenants reporting AC leaking and for a thorough check during service. When you get formal outcome of the service, ask for a quote for fixing them and once you get the quotation highlight potential installation issues related to drainage and go from there. At this stage, you will be better informed to take next steps ruling out assumptions as best as possible. You will end up paying service fees which should be done regularly anyways to catch any issues.

    • schwinn on 06/01/2023 - 12:11

      They are a sales/installation company, not a service/repair company.

      • ozdesi on 06/01/2023 - 13:51
        +1

        Then just approach your installation company directly with the reported leakage issue from your tenant and let them know you believe its installation related and see what they have to say. They may ask for a call out fees to check out, let them know you shouldn't have to foot the bill if the issue is determined to be installation related.

        Alternatively, find a service company with thorough checks done for this issue only initially at your cost with likely root cause related to installation formally written out, take the report to installation company for them to fix the issue and claim your service company bill while you are at it.

        If you try to fix the issue yourself by directly engaging a local tradie, you will likely void any claims from installation company in the future.

        PS: This is not legal advice, it's a suggestion from bargain hunters.

        • schwinn on 06/01/2023 - 22:30

          Thanks, good reminder regarding warranty etc.

  • dcep on 06/01/2023 - 03:31

    I suppose the immediate solution is to pipe the AC condensation internally into the room, but this is not desirable as it involves unsightly tubes coming from the AC, and a bucket that will need to be emptied.

    pipe the AC condensation internally into the room and straight out through the wall externally?

    • schwinn on 06/01/2023 - 11:50

      Unfortunately, the wall that the units are mounted on, is an internal wall, ie the wall that is in between 2 rooms. Thus can't get it out of the building.

      • eek on 06/01/2023 - 14:29

        I see some units in south east asia literally have a condensate tray that would need to be emptied periodically. Alternatively in Australia the installer would usually have advised you that you'd need a condensate water pump, which is rather expensive and is just another item to break down. Sounds like a difficult and painful solution either way given the location of the units :/

      • racer1234 on 06/01/2023 - 20:06

        Normally the drain line is run in the same ducting that carries the refigerant pipes to the outside units. Is there a reason this cannot be done here?

        • schwinn on 06/01/2023 - 22:30

          Not sure, I'm not an expert. My outside unit is on the roof, so perhaps gravity is an issue?

          • racer1234 on 06/01/2023 - 22:33

            @schwinn: Definetely not an expert either but I can imagine they would run one duct with all pipes including drain to external of nearest wall then go up with refrig pipes and plumb drain into gutter downpipe. At least that is what appears to be the case from what I have seen.

  • jizmo on 07/01/2023 - 19:32

    How far from the Bathroom laundry or kitchen if you can run the pipe into one of those drain points.
    I've been in hotels before where they ran the pipe through to the bathroom and let it drain and run to the floor waste.

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