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

Many homeowners are informed about central air conditioners

Mini-split systems are a form of ductless heating and cooling. Instead of providing conditioned air to the total home via a network of air ducts, they heat and cool one room at a time. This provides more advanced 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 run. Both styles of equipment offer electric cooling, the same as an air conditioner. This involves using refrigerant to extract heat from in a building and exhausting that warm air outside. Then, a reversing valve enables the system to operate backward, heating your house in the winter by extracting heat from outdoor air and bringing it inside. 

The main difference between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t require ductwork. Alternatively, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which mounts directly to 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 like an air conditioner or heat pump condenser. 

More than one indoor unit can link to an individual outdoor condenser, permitting you to heat and cool your full residence with this system if wanted. This configuration also makes zoning possible, an extremely attractive feature that allows you to choose when, where and how much you heat and cool specific areas. 

Mini Split chart

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

Mini-splits are a good solution for the majority of households. Think over these reasons why installing a ductless mini-split may be a wise choice for your needs: 

  • You can heat and cool a total home 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 energy costs. 
  • Mini-splits provide additional heating and cooling for areas that are hard to keep comfortable. 
  • Use a ductless system to heat and cool a residence addition or sunroom without the cost of installing ductwork or the annoyance of having window AC units. 
  • Mini-splits are the natural choice for spaces where traditional ducts is impractical. A few examples are period homes, tiny homes, temperature controlled sheds or workshops, or garage conversions. 

What are the Pluses of a Mini-Split System? 

Ductless mini-splits are very capable systems, but you could still be wondering why you would want to select it over a regular furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why a large number of Columbus homeowners are using ductless mini-splits: 

  • Avoid the pitfalls of ductwork: By providing heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t go through holey air ducts on its way to every room. This can save you as much as 30 percent on your heating and cooling bills. Plus, if your home doesn’t already include ducts, you avoid the inconvenience and cost associated with installing them. 
  • Select the right temp for all rooms: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office chilly while maintaining a cozy nursery—all while making the most of energy efficiency. 
  • Conserve money and energy by not heating and cooling unused spaces: Closing supply registers in a central HVAC system can throw it off balance, putting stress on the equipment and invalidating any likely savings. But with independent air handlers in every room, you can heat and cool certain areas only when you need them. 

Rely on Stevenson Service Experts to Put in Your Mini-Split Air Conditioner 

The same as regular HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits need meticulous sizing and Expert installation to provide the best performance. Our experienced mini split installers in Columbus can help you determine if a mini-split system will match your needs. We can then help you with finding the correct equipment size and model to make your home as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible. 

For more info, or to schedule an appointment, call Stevenson Service Experts at 614-334-3192. You can also schedule an appointment online

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