All About Mini-Split Air Conditioners: What They Are and How They Operate

Many homeowners are most familiar with central air conditioners.

Mini-split systems are a kind of ductless heating and cooling. Instead of delivering conditioned air to the entire house with a network of air ducts, they heat and cool one room at a time. This allows more advanced temperature control, increasing 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 styles of equipment deliver electric cooling, just like an air conditioner. This involves using refrigerant to remove heat from inside a building and issuing that warmth outside. Then, a reversing valve permits the system to run backward, heating your home in the winter by pulling heat from outdoor air and depositing it inside.

The biggest distinction between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t need ductwork. Instead, 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 little conduit in the wall. This exterior component looks like an air conditioner or heat pump condenser.

More than one indoor unit can link to an individual outdoor condenser, enabling you to heat and cool your entire residence with this system if wanted. This arrangement also makes zoning possible, a very desirable feature that permits you to customize when, where and how much you heat and cool distinct spaces.

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

Mini-splits are an excellent solution for many households. Consider these reasons why using a ductless mini-split could be a wise choise for your needs:

• • You can heat and cool a complete home that has no existing ductwork.

• • You’ll be able to shut off the heat and air conditioning in unused spaces to save on your heating and cooling costs.

• • Mini-splits give supplementary heating and cooling for rooms that are hard to keep comfy.

• • Use a ductless system to heat and cool a home addition or enclosed patio without the cost of putting in ductwork or the hassle of using window AC units.

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

What are the Advantages of a Mini-Split System?

Ductless mini-splits are highly efficient systems, but you could still be wondering why you would want to install it over a regular furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why a large number of the U.S. homeowners are getting ductless mini-splits:

• • Avoid the drawbacks of ductwork: By giving heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t pass through cracked air ducts on its way to every room. This can save you as much as 30 percent on your heating and cooling costs. Also, if your residence doesn’t already use ducts, you avoid the inconvenience and expense connected to adding them.

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

• • Use less money and energy by not heating and cooling unused spaces: Shutting supply registers in a central HVAC system can throw it off balance, putting stress on the equipment and canceling 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 need careful sizing and Expert installation to provide the greatest performance. Our experienced mini split installers in the U.S. can help you determine if a mini-split system will meet your needs. We can then assist with figuring out the precise equipment size and model to make your house as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible.

For more details, or to request an appointment, contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing at . You can also schedule an appointment online.