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 providing conditioned air to the full residence through a network of air ducts, they heat and cool one room at a time. This delivers more advanced temperature control, increasing comfort and energy efficiency.

How Do Mini-Split Air Conditioners Work?

Mini-splits most closely resemble heat pumps in the way they operate. Both styles of equipment provide electric cooling, similar to an air conditioner. This requires using refrigerant to extract heat from inside a building and exhausting that warm air outside. Then, a reversing valve allows the system to work backward, adding warmth to your home in the winter by extracting heat from outdoor air and depositing it inside.

The main distinction 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 space 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.

Multiple indoor units can connect to a single outdoor condenser, enabling you to heat and cool your total home with this system if if you want. This configuration also makes zoning practical, a highly attractive feature that lets you determine when, where and how much you heat and cool individual rooms.

Is a Ductless Mini-Split Right for My Residence?

Mini-splits are a great solution for most households. Think about these reasons why installing a ductless mini-split may be a good choice for you:

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

• • You’ll be able to shut off the heat and air conditioning in unoccupied areas to save on your heating and cooling bills.

• • Mini-splits deliver additional heating and cooling for spaces that are difficult to keep comfortable.

• • Use a ductless system to heat and cool a home addition or sunroom without the cost of installing ductwork or the hassle of having window AC units.

• • Mini splits are the natural choice for spaces where traditional ducts is impractical. A few examples are period houses, tiny homes, temperature controlled sheds or workshops, or garage conversions.

What are the Pluses of a Mini-Split System?

Ductless mini-splits are extremely effective systems, but you might still be thinking why you would want to install it over a traditional furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why a large number of the U.S. homeowners are using ductless mini-splits:

• • Avoid the hidden issues of ductwork: By delivering heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t go through cracked 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 house doesn’t already include ducts, you avoid the hassle and expense that comes with putting them in.

• • Choose the best temp for all rooms: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office chilly while maintaining a comfortable nursery—all while making the most of energy efficiency.

• • Save money and energy by not heating and cooling vacant spaces: Closing supply registers in a central HVAC system can disturb it, putting stress on the equipment and invalidating any likely savings. But with detached air handlers in every room, you can heat and cool specific rooms only when you need them.

Trust Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to Put in Your Mini-Split Air Conditioner

Much like common HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits call for careful sizing and Expert installation to ensure the most efficient performance. Our knowledgeable 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 exact equipment size and model to make your house as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible.

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