With the cooling season fast approaching, it’s a great time to reevaluate your air conditioning setup. If your current system isn’t up to par or you’re looking for an upgrade, you’ll want to consider Mini Split AC as an option.
Ductless mini-splits provide a number of benefits over traditional central AC. They’re more efficient than window units, can be used to cool rooms without ductwork and are incredibly customizable. In addition, they’re less expensive than installing or repairing ducts. But what exactly are they and how do they work?
Like central systems, ductless mini-splits are comprised of two main parts: an outdoor compressor/condenser unit and one or more indoor air handling units. A conduit that houses power cable, refrigerant tubing and suction tubes connects the two. The indoor units can be mounted on the wall, recessed in the ceiling or placed on the floor. They can also be combined to heat and cool multiple zones in the home.
The indoor units have an evaporator coil and blower to cool the air. Unlike window and portable air conditioners, the evaporator and condenser are separated by an insulated wall so no waste heat can escape between them. This improves efficiency and makes the units easier to install. A typical ductless system can include up to eight indoor air handling units connected to a single outdoor unit.
A ductless mini-split’s energy efficiency is determined by its SEER and HSPF ratings. The higher these numbers are, the more efficiently it will operate. These ratings are objective measurements of how well the unit performs over a cooling season. You can also look for models that are EnergyStar certified, which is another way to indicate a high level of energy efficiency.
Because they don’t rely on ductwork, ductless mini-splits can be installed in homes where ductwork isn’t currently in place or additions to existing buildings where constructing a new duct system would be impractical. They are a good choice for homes with difficult-to-cool rooms as well.
Zoning capability is a unique feature of ductless mini-splits that many homeowners find appealing. Using a remote control, you can set different indoor units to cool or heat according to your preference. This is ideal for problem rooms or households with people who have differing temperature preferences.
You can also set the thermostat to a lower setting and have the system run at full speed until the desired temperature is reached, then slow down and maintain that setting for maximum comfort and energy savings. This will allow you to save even more on your utility bill.