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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 house via a network of air ducts, they heat and cool a lone room at a time. This delivers more direct temperature control, improving comfort and energy efficiency. 

How Do Mini-Split Air Conditioners Work? 

Mini-splits are most similar to heat pumps in the way they cool. Both models of equipment offer electric cooling, similar to an air conditioner. This uses refrigerant to extract heat from inside a building and exhausting that warmth outside. Then, a reversing valve enables the system to work backward, warming your residence in the winter by extracting heat from outdoor air and adding it inside. 

The main distinction between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t require ductwork. Instead, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which is installed on the wall or ceiling in the space you want 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 much like an air conditioner or heat pump condenser. 

More than one indoor unit can connect to one outdoor condenser, permitting you to heat and cool your full home with this system if if you want. This arrangement also makes zoning practical, an extremely attractive feature that lets you determine when, where and how much you heat and cool individual areas. 

Mini Split chart

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

Mini-splits are a good solution for the majority of households. Consider these reasons why installing a ductless mini-split might be right for your home: 

  • You can heat and cool an entire residence that has no existing ductwork. 
  • You can switch off the heat and air conditioning in unoccupied areas to save on your utility bills. 
  • Mini-splits provide extra heating and cooling for rooms that are tricky to keep comfortable. 
  • Use a ductless system to heat and cool a home addition or sunroom without the cost of adding ductwork or the annoyance of using window AC units. 
  • Mini-splits are the ideal choice for spaces where overhead ductwork is impractical. A few examples are period houses, tiny homes, temperature controlled sheds or workshops, or garage conversions. 

What are the Advantages of a Mini-Split System? 

Ductless mini-splits are very effective systems, but you may still be thinking why you would want to select it over a common furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why more Columbus homeowners are using ductless mini-splits: 

  • Avoid the pitfalls of ductwork: By providing heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t pass through leaky air ducts on its way to all rooms. This can save you as much as 30 percent on your heating and cooling costs. Along with that, if your home doesn’t already include ducts, you avoid the inconvenience and price connected to installing them. 
  • Select the best temp for each room: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office refreshing while maintaining a cozy nursery—all while maximizing energy efficiency. 
  • Use less money and energy by not heating and cooling empty spaces: Closing supply registers in a central HVAC system can disturb it, straining the equipment and negating any potential savings. But with independent air handlers in every room, you can heat and cool particular rooms only when you need them. 

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

The same as common HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits call for accurate sizing and Expert installation to ensure the most efficient performance. Our experienced mini split installers in Columbus can help you figure out if a mini-split system will meet your needs. We can then assist with figuring out the exact equipment size and model to make your home as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible. 

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

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