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

The majority of homeowners are acquainted with central air conditioners

Mini-split systems are a type of ductless heating and cooling. In place of giving conditioned air to the complete home with a network of air ducts, they heat and cool a lone room at a time. This delivers more targeted temperature control, improving comfort and energy efficiency. 

How Do Mini-Split Air Conditioners Work? 

Mini-splits are most similar to heat pumps in the way they run. Both types of equipment provide electric cooling, just like an air conditioner. This requires using refrigerant to remove heat from inside a building and exhausting that heat outside. Then, a reversing valve allows the system to operate backward, warming your house in the winter by pulling heat from outdoor air and depositing it inside. 

The biggest difference between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t have to have ductwork. Alternatively, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which is installed on the wall or ceiling in the area you want 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 similar to an air conditioner or heat pump condenser. 

Multiple indoor units can connect to a single outdoor condenser, permitting you to heat and cool your entire house with this system if desired. This set-up also makes zoning possible, a highly attractive feature that permits you to customize when, where and how much you heat and cool individual rooms. 

Mini Split chart

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

Mini-splits are a great choice for many households. Consider these reasons why installing a ductless mini-split might be a good choice for your needs: 

  • You can heat and cool a complete home that lacks existing ductwork. 
  • You can switch off the heat and air conditioning in empty spaces to save on your heating and cooling costs. 
  • Mini-splits give supplementary 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 expense of putting in ductwork or the annoyance of relying on window AC units. 
  • Mini-splits are the natural choice for spaces where ductwork is impractical. A few examples are historic homes, tiny homes, temperature controlled sheds or workshops, or garage conversions. 

What are the Pluses of a Mini-Split System? 

Ductless mini-splits are extremely capable systems, but you might still be thinking why you would want to choose it over a regular furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why more the U.S. homeowners are getting ductless mini-splits: 

  • Avoid the pitfalls of ductwork: By giving heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t pass through leaky air ducts on its way to every room. This can save you upward of 30 percent on your heating and cooling costs. Also, if your home doesn’t already include ducts, you avoid the hassle and expense associated with adding them. 
  • Select the ideal setting for every room: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office refreshing while maintaining a warm nursery—all while making the most of energy efficiency. 
  • Save money and energy by not heating and cooling empty areas: Securing supply registers in a central HVAC system can throw it off kilter, putting stress on the equipment and canceling any likely savings. But with individual air handlers in every room, you can heat and cool certain spaces only when you need them. 

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

The same as regular HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits need careful sizing and Expert installation to ensure the most efficient performance. Our skilled mini split installers in the U.S. can help you determine if a mini-split system will meet your needs. We can then support you with figuring out the correct equipment size and model to make your home as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible. 

For more info, or to request an appointment, get in touch with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing at 866-397-3787. You can also schedule an appointment online

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