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

Most homeowners are most familiar with central air conditioners.

Mini-split systems are a form of ductless heating and cooling. In place of delivering conditioned air to the complete residence through a network of air ducts, they heat and cool a lone room at a time. This delivers more targeted temperature control, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency.

How Do Mini-Split Air Conditioners Work?

Mini-splits are most similar to heat pumps in the way they cool. Both models of equipment provide electric cooling, similar to an air conditioner. This uses refrigerant to remove heat from in a building and exhausting that warmth outside. Then, a reversing valve enables the system to work backward, adding warmth to your home in the winter by extracting heat from outdoor air and adding it inside.

The main contrast between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t have to have ductwork. As an alternative, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which fits directly on the wall or ceiling in the room you wish to heat and cool. Copper tubes, wiring and a condensate drain line link to an outdoor condensing unit through a small conduit in the wall. This exterior component looks similar to an air conditioner or heat pump condenser.

Multiple indoor units can work off of one outdoor condenser, allowing you to heat and cool your full house with this system if if you want. This set-up also makes zoning practical, an extremely attractive feature that lets you choose when, where and how much you heat and cool individual rooms.

Is a Ductless Mini-Split the Best Choice for My House?

Mini-splits are a great choice for many households. Think over these reasons why using a ductless mini-split could be a smart choice for your needs:

• • You can heat and cool an entire home that doesn’t have existing ductwork.

• • It’s possible to shut off the heat and air conditioning in empty rooms to save on your utility expenses.

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

• • Use a ductless system to heat and cool a residence addition or sunroom without the hassle of installing ductwork or the hassle of having window AC units.

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

What are the Benefits of a Mini-Split System?

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

• • Avoid the drawbacks of ductwork: By providing heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t move through leaky air ducts on its way to each room. This can save you upward of 30 percent on your heating and cooling costs. Plus, if your house doesn’t already have ducts, you avoid the hassle and price that comes with putting them in.

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

• • Conserve money and energy by not heating and cooling empty rooms: Closing supply registers in a central HVAC system can disturb it, putting strain on the equipment and negating any likely savings. But with detached air handlers in all rooms, you can heat and cool specific spaces only when you need them.

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

As with traditional HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits call for careful sizing and Expert installation to ensure the best performance. Our experienced mini split installers in the U.S. can help you figure out if a mini-split system will meet your needs. We can then help you with determining the precise equipment size and model to make your house as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible.

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