Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioners
Air conditioning systems are available in many applications, such as a mini split-system or compact split-system. The most popular applications include multifamily housing or retrofitting auxiliary homes which contain conducting heating systems such as hydronic (warm water heated), radiant and space heating systems ( wood kerosene, propane).
These can also be the best option for rooms and apartments where the installation of distribution ductwork for the central air conditioning is no longer feasible. See our Energy Saving 101 infographic about home heat exchangers in our infographic.
A ductless mini split system, on the other hand, uses an individual fan and evaporator unit for each room. Having mini split units in each air-conditioned room allows you to better control the temperature of each room in your home. Rooms that aren’t being used regularly can be turned off to save energy.
Mini Split Air Conditioner Buying Guide
Ductless split systems are growing popular as it offers efficient cooling in one or two locations. The thermostat allows more temperature control, as all units inside work independently with variable temperature settings that allow you to cool some parts of your home without compromising the entire space. The cost of a mini split installation can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the project.
Unlike central air-conditioning, you only cool certain areas of your house that you use. For fast access to these parts from these purchase guides, please follow the links below – ductless devices consist of 4 parts.
Most new ductless mini splits use inverter compressors. Additional Modes Mini splits can include multiple modes to keep your home full of crisp, cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter. Additional modes are popular for people who don’t have central air conditioners and use their mini-split AC as their primary cooling option. Mini split sizing is the process of determining the size and capacity of a mini split system that is required to properly heat or cool a given area.
Advantages
The biggest advantage to mini-splitting is their smaller size with flexibility when zoning and cooling individual rooms. Various models include up to four air control rooms connected together to an outdoor space. This varies depending how much cooling a structure needs.
These alterations will affect whether or not a building is adequately cooled. Each zone will have its own thermostat, so you only need to condition this area when you are using thereby saving energy and cost. Ductless air conditioning systems are more easily integrated than other kinds of air conditioning systems. The most common type of air conditioning system is the split system, which includes an outdoor condenser/compressor and an indoor air handler.
Mitsubishi ductless air conditioners are a great choice for cooling and heating your home. They are energy efficient, compact, quiet, and easy to install.
Central Forced Air Systems
Additions where extending or installing distribution ductwork is not feasible, and energy efficient new homes that require only a small space conditioning system. Mini-Splits vs. Central Air Mini-split systems have little-to-no ducts, so they avoid the energy losses associated with the ductwork of central forced air systems.
Indoor Units
They are easy to install usually requiring only a three-inch hole through a wall for the conduit; which houses the power and communication cables, copper tubing, and a condensation drain line, linking the outdoor and indoor units.
The most common applications are in multifamily housing or as retrofit add-ons to houses with “non-ducted” heating systems, such as hydronic (hot water heat), radiant panels, and space heaters (wood, kerosene, propane). They can also be a good choice for room additions and small apartments, where extending or installing distribution ductwork for a central air-conditioner is not feasible.
This is about 30% more than central systems (not including ductwork) and may cost twice as much as window units of similar capacity. The installer must also correctly size each indoor unit and judge the best location for its installation. Oversized or incorrectly located air-handlers often result in short-cycling, which wastes energy and does not provide proper temperature or humidity control.
Outdoor Unit
While less obtrusive than a window room air conditioner, they seldom have the built-in look of a central system. There must also be a place to drain condensate water near the outdoor unit.
With the system split between an indoor and outdoor unit, the only noise in the room is the fan needed to move air. There is none of the loud compressor hum that is typical of a window unit. In addition, most quality mini-split systems, much like the best whole-house systems, use variable-speed motors in their compressors.
Cooling Systems
Check out our Energy Saver 101 infographic on home cooling to learn how ductless, mini split air conditioners stack up against other cooling systems. Like central systems, mini-split s have two main components: an outdoor compressor/condenser, and an indoor air-handling unit.
