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

August 18, 2017

Many homeowners are informed about central air conditioners.

Mini-split systems are a form of ductless heating and cooling. In place of giving conditioned air to the full residence via a network of air ducts, they heat and cool a single room at a time. This allows more targeted 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 deliver electric cooling, similar to an air conditioner. This uses refrigerant to extract heat from in a building and discharging that warmth outside. Then, a reversing valve enables the system to run backward, warming your home in the winter by pulling heat from outdoor air and depositing it inside.

The main contrast 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 fits directly 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 small conduit in the wall. This exterior component looks similar to an air conditioner or heat pump condenser.

Multiple indoor units can link to an individual outdoor condenser, enabling you to heat and cool your total home with this system if if you want. This arrangement also makes zoning practical, a very attractive feature that lets you customize when, where and how much you heat and cool individual spaces.

Is a Ductless Mini-Split Right for My Residence?

Mini-splits are an excellent option for most households. Think about these reasons why getting a ductless mini-split might be a good choice for your home:

You can heat and cool a complete residence that doesn’t have existing ductwork.

You’ll be able to shut off the heat and air conditioning in empty rooms to save on your heating and cooling expenses.

Mini-splits provide additional heating and cooling for rooms that are difficult to keep cozy.

Use a ductless system to heat and cool a residence addition or sunroom without the hassle of installing ductwork or the hassle of using window AC units.

Mini split systems are the perfect choice for spaces where ductwork is impractical. A few examples might be historic houses, 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 may still be considering why you would want to choose it over a common furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why a large number of Windsor homeowners are using ductless mini-splits:

Avoid the pitfalls of ductwork: By delivering heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t go through holey air ducts on its way to every room. This can save you upward of 30 percent on your heating and cooling costs. Plus, if your home doesn’t already include ducts, you avoid the inconvenience and price associated with adding them.
Choose the ideal temp 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 maximizing energy efficiency.
Save money and energy by not heating and cooling unused spaces: Shutting supply registers in a central HVAC system can throw it off kilter, putting strain on the equipment and negating any possible savings. But with individual air handlers in all rooms, you can heat and cool particular areas only when you need them.

Depend on Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts to Install Your Mini-Split Air Conditioner

The same as common HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits require careful sizing and Expert installation to provide the greatest performance. Our knowledgeable mini split installers in Windsor can help you determine if a mini-split system will match your needs. We can then help you with determining the exact equipment size and model to make your home as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible.

For extra information, or to schedule an appointment, call Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts at 226-773-3357. You can also schedule an appointment online.

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