Guide to Mini-Split Air Conditioners: What They Are and How They Cool

The majority of homeowners are acquainted with central air conditioners. 

Mini-split systems are a type of ductless heating and cooling. In place of giving conditioned air to the entire home with a network of air ducts, they heat and cool a single room at a time. This delivers more targeted temperature control, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency. 

How Do Mini-Split Air Conditioners Work? 

Mini-splits most closely resemble heat pumps in the way they cool. Both styles of equipment provide electric cooling, just like an air conditioner. This involves using refrigerant to extract heat from within a building and discharging that heat outside. Then, a reversing valve enables the system to work backward, adding warmth to your house in the winter by pulling heat from outdoor air and bringing it inside. 

The biggest contrast 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 is installed on the wall or ceiling in the area you are looking to heat and cool. Copper tubes, wiring and a condensate drain line link to an outdoor condensing unit through a little conduit in the wall. This exterior component looks similar to an air conditioner or heat pump condenser. 

Several indoor units can work off of one outdoor condenser, enabling you to heat and cool your entire residence with this system if if you want. This arrangement also makes zoning feasible, an extremely desirable feature that allows you to customize when, where and how much you heat and cool specific rooms. 

Is a Ductless Mini-Split Right for My Home? 

Mini-splits are a fantastic choice for most households. Consider these reasons why installing a ductless mini-split may be a good choice for your needs: 

• You can heat and cool an entire residence that has no existing ductwork. 
• You’ll be able to switch off the heat and air conditioning in unused spaces to save on your energy bills. 

• Mini-splits deliver additional heating and cooling for areas that are tricky to keep comfortable. 
• Use a ductless system to heat and cool a residence addition or enclosed patio without the cost of putting in ductwork or the hassle of relying on window AC units. 
• Mini-splits are the perfect choice for spaces where traditional ducts is impractical. A few examples are historic houses, tiny homes, temperature controlled sheds or workshops, or garage conversions. 

What are the Pluses of a Mini-Split System? 

Ductless mini-splits are highly efficient 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 Fort Lauderdale homeowners are installing ductless mini-splits: 

• Avoid the pitfalls of ductwork: By providing heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t move through leaky air ducts on its way to each room. This can save you as much as 30 percent on your heating and cooling costs. Also, if your home doesn’t already use ducts, you avoid the annoyance and price that comes with installing them. 
• Select the best temperature for each room: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office cool while maintaining a cozy nursery—all while optimizing energy efficiency. 
• Conserve money and energy by not heating and cooling empty spaces: Shutting supply registers in a central HVAC system can throw it off kilter, straining the equipment and invalidating any possible savings. But with independent air handlers in all rooms, you can heat and cool particular spaces only when you need them. 

Rely on Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to Put in Your Mini-Split Air Conditioner 

As with traditional HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits need meticulous sizing and Expert installation to deliver the greatest performance. Our knowledgeable mini split installers in Fort Lauderdale can help you determine if a mini-split system will meet your needs. We can then assist with determining the precise equipment size and model to make your residence as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible. 

For more information, or to get an appointment, get in touch with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 954-736-4314. You can also schedule an appointment online.