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

The majority of homeowners are informed about central air conditioners.

Mini-split systems are a type of ductless heating and cooling. Instead of delivering conditioned air to the entire home via a network of air ducts, they heat and cool a single room at a time. This delivers more advanced temperature control, improving comfort and energy efficiency.

How Do Mini-Split Air Conditioners Work?

Mini-splits most closely resemble heat pumps in the way they operate. Both styles of equipment offer electric cooling, the same as an air conditioner. This uses refrigerant to extract heat from within a building and issuing that warmth outside. Then, a reversing valve allows the system to operate backward, adding warmth to your house in the winter by extracting heat from outdoor air and adding it inside.

The largest difference between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t need ductwork. As an alternative, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which mounts directly to the wall or ceiling in the room 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 similar to an air conditioner or heat pump condenser.

Multiple indoor units can link to one outdoor condenser, allowing you to heat and cool your full residence with this system if if you want. This configuration also makes zoning possible, a highly coveted feature that lets you determine when, where and how much you heat and cool individual areas.

Is a Ductless Mini-Split Right for My Home?

Mini-splits are a good solution for most households. Think over these reasons why installing a ductless mini-split may be a good choice for you:

• • You can heat and cool a total house that lacks existing ductwork.

• • You can switch off the heat and air conditioning in unused spaces to save on your heating and cooling expenses.

• • Mini-splits deliver additional heating and cooling for rooms that are hard to keep comfortable.

• • Use a ductless system to heat and cool a house addition or sunroom without the hassle of adding ductwork or the inconvenience of using window AC units.

• • Mini-splits are the ideal choice for spaces where ductwork 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 extremely efficient systems, but you could still be wondering why you would want to choose it over a regular furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why a large 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 move through leaky air ducts on its way to each room. This can save you as much as 30 percent on your heating and cooling expenses. Also, if your residence doesn’t already have ducts, you avoid the inconvenience and expense connected to putting them in.

• • Select the right setting for all rooms: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office cool while maintaining a cozy nursery—all while making the most of energy efficiency.

• • Use less money and energy by not heating and cooling unused rooms: Closing supply registers in a central HVAC system can throw it off balance, putting strain on the equipment and invalidating any potential savings. But with detached air handlers in each room, 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

The same as traditional HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits need meticulous sizing and Expert installation to deliver the greatest performance. Our skilled mini split installers in the U.S. can help you figure out if a mini-split system will match your needs. We can then support you with determining the correct equipment size and model to make your house as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible.

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