All About 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 kind of ductless heating and cooling. Rather than giving conditioned air to the total residence via a network of air ducts, they heat and cool one room at a time. This allows more advanced temperature control, enhancing 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 offer electric cooling, the same as an air conditioner. This involves using refrigerant to draw out heat from in a building and exhausting that warm air outside. Then, a reversing valve allows the system to work backward, adding warmth to your home in the winter by extracting heat from outdoor air and bringing it inside.

The biggest 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 mounts directly to the wall or ceiling in the room you are looking 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.

Multiple indoor units can work off of an individual outdoor condenser, permitting you to heat and cool your entire home with this system if desired. This arrangement also makes zoning practical, a highly popular feature that permits you to customize when, where and how much you heat and cool individual areas.

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

Mini-splits are an excellent choice for many households. Think about these reasons why using a ductless mini-split might be a smart choice for you:

• • You can heat and cool an entire residence that has no existing ductwork.

• • You’ll be able to switch off the heat and air conditioning in empty rooms to save on your energy bills.

• • Mini-splits give added heating and cooling for spaces that are tricky to keep cozy.

• • Use a ductless system to heat and cool a residence addition or sunroom without the cost of adding 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 are historic houses, 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 may still be considering why you would want to select it over a traditional furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why a large number of the U.S. homeowners are getting ductless mini-splits:

• • Avoid the hidden issues of ductwork: By delivering heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t pass through cracked air ducts on its way to all rooms. This can save you upward of 30 percent on your heating and cooling costs. Also, if your house doesn’t already include ducts, you avoid the hassle and expense connected to installing them.

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

• • Save money and energy by not heating and cooling empty spaces: Shutting supply registers in a central HVAC system can disturb it, straining the equipment and invalidating any potential savings. But with individual air handlers in each room, you can heat and cool certain spaces only when you need them.

Depend on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to Install Your Mini-Split Air Conditioner

Much like common HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits need careful sizing and Expert installation to deliver the most efficient 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 home 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.