Most homeowners are acquainted with central air conditioners.
Mini-split systems are a type of ductless heating and cooling. Rather than providing conditioned air to the full home through a network of air ducts, they heat and cool a lone room at a time. This provides more advanced temperature control, improving 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 deliver electric cooling, similar to an air conditioner. This involves using refrigerant to extract heat from in a building and exhausting that warmth outside. Then, a reversing valve allows the system to run backward, adding warmth to your home in the winter by pulling heat from outdoor air and adding it inside.
The biggest contrast between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t need ductwork. Instead, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which mounts directly to the wall or ceiling in the room you want to heat and cool. Copper tubes, wiring and a condensate drain line link to an outdoor condensing unit through a narrow conduit in the wall. This exterior component looks similar to an air conditioner or heat pump condenser.
More than one indoor unit can link to one outdoor condenser, allowing you to heat and cool your complete residence with this system if wanted. This set-up also makes zoning feasible, a very attractive feature that allows you to customize when, where and how much you heat and cool individual areas.
Is a Ductless Mini-Split Right for My House?
Mini-splits are an excellent solution for many households. Consider these reasons why getting a ductless mini-split might be a good choice for your needs:
You can heat and cool an entire residence that doesn’t have existing ductwork. It’s possible to shut off the heat and air conditioning in unused rooms to save on your utility costs. Mini-splits provide additional heating and cooling for areas that are hard to keep cozy. Use a ductless system to heat and cool a home addition or enclosed patio without the expense of installing ductwork or the annoyance of using window AC units. Mini splits are the ideal 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 Advantages of a Mini-Split System?
Ductless mini-splits are extremely effective systems, but you could still be thinking why you would want to choose it over a traditional furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why a growing number of Cleveland 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 each room. This can save you nearly 30 percent on your heating and cooling expenses. Along with that, if your residence doesn’t already include ducts, you avoid the inconvenience and price connected to installing them.
- Select the best setting for each room: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office chilly while maintaining a cozy nursery—all while optimizing energy efficiency.
- Conserve money and energy by not heating and cooling vacant rooms: Shutting supply registers in a central HVAC system can throw it off balance, putting strain on the equipment and canceling any possible savings. But with individual air handlers in each room, you can heat and cool certain rooms only when you need them.
Depend on Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to Add Your Mini-Split Air Conditioner
Much like standard HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits call for careful sizing and Expert installation to deliver the most efficient performance. Our skilled mini split installers in Cleveland can help you decide if a mini-split system will meet your needs. We can then assist with finding the correct equipment size and model to make your home as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible.
For more information, or to request an appointment, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 440-252-1375. You can also schedule an appointment online.