Most homeowners are most familiar with central air conditioners.
Mini-split systems are a form of ductless heating and cooling. Rather than giving conditioned air to the complete residence via a network of air ducts, they heat and cool one room at a time. This provides more direct temperature control, improving comfort and energy efficiency.
How Do Mini-Split Air Conditioners Work?
Mini-splits are most like heat pumps in the way they cool. Both styles of equipment offer electric cooling, similar to an air conditioner. This uses refrigerant to draw out heat from within a building and exhausting that warmth outside. Then, a reversing valve allows the system to run backward, heating your residence 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. Alternatively, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which is installed on the wall or ceiling in the area you wish 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 much like an air conditioner or heat pump condenser.
More than one indoor unit can work off of an individual outdoor condenser, permitting you to heat and cool your entire home with this system if if you want. This arrangement also makes zoning practical, an extremely coveted feature that permits you to customize when, where and how much you heat and cool specific rooms.
Is a Ductless Mini-Split the Best Choice for My Home?
Mini-splits are a great option for many households. Think about these reasons why installing a ductless mini-split might be a good choice for your home:
You can heat and cool an entire house that doesn’t have existing ductwork. It’s possible to switch off the heat and air conditioning in unoccupied spaces to save on your utility bills. Mini-splits provide supplementary heating and cooling for areas that are difficult to keep comfortable. Use a ductless system to heat and cool a home addition or enclosed porch without the expense of adding ductwork or the annoyance of relying on window AC units. Mini split systems are the ideal choice for spaces where overhead ductwork is impractical. A few examples might be period homes, 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 might still be considering why you would want to install it over a traditional furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why more Mobile homeowners are installing ductless mini-splits:
- Avoid the drawbacks of ductwork: By providing heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t go through holey air ducts on its way to all rooms. 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 that comes with adding them.
- Find the best temperature for every room: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office chilly while maintaining a cozy nursery—all while maximizing energy efficiency.
- Conserve money and energy by not heating and cooling unused areas: Shutting supply registers in a central HVAC system can throw it off balance, straining the equipment and invalidating any potential savings. But with individual air handlers in every room, you can heat and cool particular areas only when you need them.
Depend on Climate Control Service Experts to Put in Your Mini-Split Air Conditioner
As with regular HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits need accurate sizing and Expert installation to deliver the most efficient performance. Our experienced mini split installers in Mobile can help you decide if a mini-split system will match your needs. We can then assist with figuring out the exact equipment size and model to make your home as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible.
For extra information, or to get an appointment, call Climate Control Service Experts at 251-202-7503. You can also schedule an appointment online.