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

Most homeowners are acquainted with central air conditioners. 

Mini-split systems are a type of ductless heating and cooling. Instead of giving conditioned air to the full residence through a network of air ducts, they heat and cool a lone room at a time. This provides more advanced temperature control, increasing comfort and energy efficiency. 

How Do Mini-Split Air Conditioners Work? 

Mini-splits most closely resemble heat pumps in the way they operate. Both types of equipment deliver electric cooling, just like an air conditioner. This uses refrigerant to extract heat from inside a building and exhausting that warm air outside. Then, a reversing valve enables the system to operate backward, warming your home in the winter by extracting heat from outdoor air and bringing it inside. 

The main distinction between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t have to have ductwork. Alternatively, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which fits directly on the wall or ceiling in the room you want to heat and cool. Copper tubes, wiring and a condensate drain line join to an outdoor condensing unit through a narrow conduit in the wall. This exterior component looks similar to an air conditioner or heat pump condenser. 

Multiple indoor units can work off of a single outdoor condenser, allowing you to heat and cool your entire home with this system if if you want. This configuration also makes zoning feasible, a highly popular feature that allows you to determine when, where and how much you heat and cool individual areas. 

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

Mini-splits are an excellent option for many households. Consider these reasons why using a ductless mini-split could be a good choice for your needs: 

• You can heat and cool an entire residence that doesn’t have existing ductwork. 
• You’ll be able to turn off the heat and air conditioning in unused rooms to save on your utility expenses. 

• Mini-splits give extra heating and cooling for spaces that are tricky to keep cozy. 
• Use a ductless system to heat and cool a residence addition or enclosed patio without the expense of putting in ductwork or the hassle of having window AC units. 
• Mini split systems are the perfect choice for spaces where traditional ducts is impractical. A few examples are period homes, tiny homes, temperature controlled sheds or workshops, or garage conversions. 

What are the Benefits of a Mini-Split System? 

Ductless mini-splits are very efficient systems, but you might still be thinking why you would want to choose it over a regular furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why more Fort Lauderdale homeowners are getting ductless mini-splits: 

• Avoid the pitfalls of ductwork: By providing heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t go through holey air ducts on its way to every room. This can save you as much as 30 percent on your heating and cooling bills. Also, if your residence doesn’t already use ducts, you avoid the inconvenience and cost connected to putting them in. 
• Choose the right temperature 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 optimizing energy efficiency. 
• Use less money and energy by not heating and cooling unused areas: Closing supply registers in a central HVAC system can throw it off balance, straining the equipment and canceling any potential savings. But with independent air handlers in each room, you can heat and cool specific areas only when you need them. 

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

Much like common HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits call for careful sizing and Expert installation to ensure the best performance. Our experienced mini split installers in Fort Lauderdale can help you determine if a mini-split system will meet your needs. We can then support you 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, contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 954-736-4314. You can also schedule an appointment online.