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

August 18, 2017

The majority of homeowners are acquainted with central air conditioners.

Mini-split systems are a kind of ductless heating and cooling. Instead of delivering conditioned air to the entire home through a network of air ducts, they heat and cool a single room at a time. This provides more advanced temperature control, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency.

How Do Mini-Split Air Conditioners Work?

Mini-splits are most like heat pumps in the way they cool. Both styles of equipment provide electric cooling, just like an air conditioner. This requires using refrigerant to extract heat from in a building and exhausting that heat outside. Then, a reversing valve enables the system to work backward, heating your home in the winter by pulling heat from outdoor air and adding it inside.

The biggest distinction between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t have to have ductwork. As an alternative, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which fits directly on the wall or ceiling in the area you wish to heat and cool. Copper tubes, wiring and a condensate drain line connect 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, allowing you to heat and cool your full house with this system if desired. This arrangement also makes zoning feasible, a highly desirable feature that permits you to customize when, where and how much you heat and cool specific rooms.

Mini-split basics infographic Denver 

Is a Ductless Mini-Split Right for My Home?

Mini-splits are an excellent solution for many households. Think about these reasons why installing a ductless mini-split could be a good choice for your needs:

  • You can heat and cool a complete home that lacks existing ductwork.
  • You can switch off the heat and air conditioning in empty spaces to save on your utility costs.
  • Mini-splits give extra heating and cooling for spaces that are tricky to keep cozy.
  • Use a ductless system to heat and cool a house addition or enclosed patio without the cost of installing ductwork or the inconvenience of relying on window AC units.
  • Mini splits are the natural choice for spaces where ductwork is impractical. A few examples might be historic homes, tiny homes, temperature controlled sheds or workshops, or garage conversions.
  • What are the Perks of a Mini-Split System?

    Ductless mini-splits are highly effective systems, but you could still be thinking why you would want to select it over a traditional furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why a large number of Denver homeowners are using ductless mini-splits:

    • Avoid the hidden issues of ductwork: By giving heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t pass through leaky air ducts on its way to each room. This can save you as much as 30 percent on your heating and cooling expenses. Plus, if your residence doesn’t already use ducts, you avoid the inconvenience and cost connected to adding them.
    • Choose the best 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.
    • Save money and energy by not heating and cooling vacant areas: Shutting supply registers in a central HVAC system can disturb it, straining the equipment and negating any possible savings. But with detached air handlers in each room, you can heat and cool particular spaces only when you need them.

    Depend on Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to Install Your Mini-Split Air Conditioner

    As with regular HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits require accurate sizing and Expert installation to ensure the best performance. Our knowledgeable mini split installers in Denver 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 schedule an appointment, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 303-647-5853. You can also schedule an appointment online.


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