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

August 18, 2017

Most homeowners are most familiar with central air conditioners.

Mini-split systems are a type of ductless heating and cooling. In place of delivering conditioned air to the total residence through a network of air ducts, they heat and cool one room at a time. This provides more advanced 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 operate. Both models of equipment offer electric cooling, similar to an air conditioner. This requires using refrigerant to remove heat from inside a building and exhausting that heat outside. Then, a reversing valve permits the system to work backward, warming your house in the winter by removing heat from outdoor air and bringing it inside.

The main difference between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t have to have ductwork. Instead, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which is installed on the wall or ceiling in the room you are looking 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 similar to an air conditioner or heat pump condenser.

More than one indoor unit can work off of an individual outdoor condenser, permitting you to heat and cool your total residence with this system if if you want. This configuration also makes zoning practical, a highly popular feature that permits you to determine when, where and how much you heat and cool individual rooms.

Mini-split basics infographic Charlotte 

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

Mini-splits are an excellent option for the majority of households. Think over these reasons why using a ductless mini-split might be a good choice for your home:

  • You can heat and cool a complete house that doesn’t have existing ductwork.
  • It’s possible to shut off the heat and air conditioning in unoccupied areas to save on your heating and cooling bills.
  • Mini-splits provide extra heating and cooling for spaces that are tricky to keep cozy.
  • Use a ductless system to heat and cool a home addition or enclosed patio without the hassle of installing ductwork or the inconvenience of using 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 Benefits of a Mini-Split System?

    Ductless mini-splits are extremely efficient systems, but you may still be considering why you would want to choose it over a regular furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why a large number of Charlotte homeowners are getting ductless mini-splits:

    • Avoid the pitfalls of ductwork: By delivering heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t pass through leaky air ducts on its way to each room. This can save you upward of 30 percent on your heating and cooling expenses. Along with that, if your house doesn’t already have ducts, you avoid the annoyance and cost connected to installing them.
    • Choose the ideal setting for each room: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office cool while maintaining a comfortable nursery—all while maximizing energy efficiency.
    • Conserve money and energy by not heating and cooling empty spaces: Closing supply registers in a central HVAC system can disturb it, putting stress on the equipment and negating any possible savings. But with individual air handlers in all rooms, you can heat and cool certain spaces only when you need them.

    Trust Komfort Air Service Experts to Install Your Mini-Split Air Conditioner

    The same as regular HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits call for careful sizing and Expert installation to ensure the greatest performance. Our experienced mini split installers in Charlotte can help you determine if a mini-split system will match your needs. We can then help you with finding the correct equipment size and model to make your home as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible.

    For extra information, or to get an appointment, call Komfort Air Service Experts at 704-705-8135. You can also schedule an appointment online.