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

Most homeowners are informed about central air conditioners.

Mini-split systems are a kind of ductless heating and cooling. Rather than giving conditioned air to the entire residence via a network of air ducts, they heat and cool a single room at a time. This allows more direct 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 cool. Both styles of equipment deliver electric cooling, the same as an air conditioner. This uses refrigerant to draw out heat from inside a building and discharging that warmth outside. Then, a reversing valve enables the system to run backward, heating your house in the winter by extracting heat from outdoor air and bringing it inside.

The largest distinction between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t have to have ductwork. Instead, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which is installed on the wall or ceiling in the room you are looking to heat and cool. Copper tubes, wiring and a condensate drain line join to an outdoor condensing unit through a narrow conduit in the wall. This exterior component looks like an air conditioner or heat pump condenser.

More than one indoor unit can link to a single outdoor condenser, allowing you to heat and cool your full home with this system if wanted. This arrangement also makes zoning feasible, an extremely desirable feature that permits you to customize when, where and how much you heat and cool distinct rooms.

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

Mini-splits are a fantastic choice for the majority of households. Think over these reasons why using a ductless mini-split may be a smart choice for your home:

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

• • You can shut off the heat and air conditioning in empty rooms to save on your heating and cooling expenses.

• • Mini-splits provide supplementary heating and cooling for areas that are tricky to keep comfy.

• • Use a ductless system to heat and cool a house addition or enclosed patio without the cost of adding ductwork or the inconvenience of relying on window AC units.

• • Mini-splits are the natural choice for spaces where overhead ductwork is impractical. A few examples might be 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 might still be thinking why you would want to install it over a common furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why a growing number of the U.S. homeowners are installing ductless mini-splits:

• • Avoid the pitfalls of ductwork: By providing heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t pass through cracked air ducts on its way to each room. This can save you as much as 30 percent on your heating and cooling bills. Also, if your home doesn’t already use ducts, you avoid the annoyance and cost that comes with installing them.

• • Select the best setting for every room: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office chilly while maintaining a comfortable nursery—all while maximizing energy efficiency.

• • Conserve money and energy by not heating and cooling unused areas: Securing supply registers in a central HVAC system can disturb it, putting strain on the equipment and negating any possible savings. But with independent air handlers in each room, you can heat and cool specific rooms only when you need them.

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

Much like common HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits require careful sizing and Expert installation to ensure the greatest performance. Our knowledgeable mini split installers in the U.S. can help you determine if a mini-split system will fit your needs. We can then assist with figuring out the correct equipment size and model to make your home as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible.

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