Guidebook to Mini-Split Air Conditioners: What They Are and How They Cool

The majority of homeowners are acquainted with central air conditioners.

Mini-split systems are a type of ductless heating and cooling. Rather than giving conditioned air to the total residence through a network of air ducts, they heat and cool a single room at a time. This provides more advanced temperature control, increasing comfort and energy efficiency.

How Do Mini-Split Air Conditioners Work?

Mini-splits most closely resemble heat pumps in the way they operate. Both types of equipment deliver electric cooling, similar to an air conditioner. This involves using refrigerant to remove heat from within a building and issuing that heat outside. Then, a reversing valve enables the system to run backward, adding warmth to your house in the winter by extracting heat from outdoor air and bringing it inside.

The largest difference between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t require ductwork. Alternatively, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which is installed on the wall or ceiling in the area you wish to heat and cool. Copper tubes, wiring and a condensate drain line connect to an outdoor condensing unit through a little conduit in the wall. This exterior component looks like an air conditioner or heat pump condenser.

Multiple indoor units can work off of an individual outdoor condenser, allowing you to heat and cool your complete house with this system if desired. This configuration also makes zoning possible, a very popular feature that lets you determine when, where and how much you heat and cool individual rooms.

Is a Ductless Mini-Split Right for My House?

Mini-splits are an excellent solution for many households. Consider these reasons why installing a ductless mini-split may be right for you:

• • You can heat and cool a complete home that doesn’t have existing ductwork.

• • You can turn off the heat and air conditioning in empty spaces to save on your energy bills.

• • Mini-splits provide additional heating and cooling for rooms that are tricky to keep cozy.

• • Use a ductless system to heat and cool a residence addition or enclosed patio without the hassle of putting in ductwork or the inconvenience of relying on window AC units.

• • Mini splits are the ideal choice for spaces where traditional ducts is impractical. A few examples are historic homes, tiny homes, temperature controlled sheds or workshops, or garage conversions.

What are the Perks of a Mini-Split System?

Ductless mini-splits are extremely effective systems, but you could still be considering why you would want to select it over a common furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why a growing number of the U.S. homeowners are using ductless mini-splits:

• • Avoid the pitfalls of ductwork: By delivering heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t go through leaky air ducts on its way to all rooms. This can save you nearly 30 percent on your heating and cooling bills. Also, if your house doesn’t already have ducts, you avoid the hassle and price associated with installing them.

• • Choose the best temp for every room: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office cool while maintaining a cozy nursery—all while optimizing energy efficiency.

• • Use less money and energy by not heating and cooling vacant rooms: Shutting supply registers in a central HVAC system can throw it off balance, putting strain on the equipment and negating any potential savings. But with detached air handlers in all rooms, you can heat and cool certain rooms only when you need them.

Rely on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to Add Your Mini-Split Air Conditioner

As with traditional HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits need accurate sizing and Expert installation to provide the best performance. Our skilled mini split installers in the U.S. can help you figure out if a mini-split system will meet your needs. We can then support you with determining the correct equipment size and model to make your home as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible.

For extra details, or to request an appointment, get in touch with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing at . You can also schedule an appointment online.