Can I Run My Mini Split Line Set In Conduit?

The above image shows two types of mini split refrigeration line insulation. The black is relatively fragile and the white much stiffer. Pulling either through a conduit of any type would be difficult.

Using conduit of any type to provide a pathway for a refrigeration line is a little out of the ordinary. I can see why it may be a thought or a plan, but you best be cautious.

If your plan is to run a straight line of conduit from one end to the other and the conduit is large enough in diameter, then yes it could work. But, if you plan on any 90 degree angles or even 45’s then don’t plan on being able to pull it off. Even if you used a winch to pull it through you’ll never know if there are any kinks in the line.

Conduit can come in many forms but the first thing that comes to my mind when you say conduit is electrical conduit. Funny thing, electrical conduit comes in some long sweeping elbows, but so does PVC.

A 4″ PVC elbow is available on Amazon for quite a bit less money than it’s gray PVC electrical version. The electrical version has a longer sweep. And longer sweeps are easier to pull through.

Below is the gray electrical PVC and you cannot click on. It’s available at Home Depots but I couldn’t get the link to work. Both of these images are of the 4″ diameter elbows. You can see the longer radius in the gray.

Copper tubing is very unforgiving when forced into a bend. Bending a mini split line set is not like bending copper wire. I used to work for a utility and we would pull wire through conduit and many times would have to lubricate the wire. You can bend wire without the fear of kinking.

The problem with kinking copper tubing is possible leaks and reduced efficiency. The reduced efficiency is due to the restriction caused by the kink. It’s like a pressure point in the flow of refrigerant.

The insulated line looks okay from this perspective in the above image. But look at the cutaway in the image below.

Unbeknownst to anybody this line is kinked. If installed it would go undetected. If the kink is a serious kink, to the point of a restriction, then you are going to have problems.

Problems such as compressor failures, which you never want, and diminished efficiency. You would think you got a lemon because the new compressor would also fail.

Or you would think you had a lousy technician that didn’t know you know what from shineola. But all along it was an installation problem.

Pulling a copper line set through a conduit would include trying to get two copper lines (both of them insulated) and a control wire could make it through a straight pull easy enough. To make it through a elbow you would need some type of pull box to form the angle in and continue the run.

If you could do all that, why would you need a conduit? Just run it in the joists.

What about the condensation? Is that drain line included or did you find another place to take care of the humidity collected by the coil pan?

Would Ductless Mini Split Line Set Covers Be An Alternative To Conduit?

Their are so many situations out there in the construction arena. Answering all the questions in one article is impossible. I can only offer suggestions.

I’ve seen lots of mini split installations. I was going to say many mini……. Oh well. It boils down to aesthetics. The line sets on the outside of a home are distracting to say the least.

There are a few choices in the type and appearance. You may have your favorite places to shop but if you just want to get a quick glance at what line set cover look like and what they cost you can check out both Amazon and Home Depot.

The thing that amazes me as I see these different installations is that virtually none of them are painted. A white cover over a dark colored house and the line set cover stands out like a sore thumb.

Funny, I just got back from the urgent care to get a sliver out of my thumb that I’d been digging at for a couple of days………………

Anyway, a painted line set cover would look far better.

Chad Peterson

Chad Peterson is a veteran of the HVAC industry since 1977. "I like to explain heating and air conditioning problems in a way the average home owner can understand. "

Recent Posts