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

Many homeowners are most familiar with central air conditioners. 

Mini-split systems are a form of ductless heating and cooling. Instead of providing conditioned air to the total house through a network of air ducts, they heat and cool a lone room at a time. This delivers more advanced temperature control, increasing comfort and energy efficiency. 

How Do Mini-Split Air Conditioners Work? 

Mini-splits are most like heat pumps in the way they operate. Both types of equipment deliver electric cooling, similar to an air conditioner. This involves using refrigerant to extract heat from in a building and exhausting that warmth outside. Then, a reversing valve permits the system to work backward, warming your home in the winter by pulling heat from outdoor air and depositing it inside. 

The largest difference 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 wish to heat and cool. Copper tubes, wiring and a condensate drain line connect to an outdoor condensing unit through a little conduit in the wall. This exterior component looks much like an air conditioner or heat pump condenser. 

Several indoor units can connect to an individual outdoor condenser, enabling you to heat and cool your complete house with this system if if you want. This configuration also makes zoning possible, an extremely attractive feature that allows you to choose when, where and how much you heat and cool individual spaces. 

Is a Ductless Mini-Split Right for My Home? 

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

• You can heat and cool a complete house that has no existing ductwork. 
• It’s possible to turn off the heat and air conditioning in unused areas to save on your energy bills. 

• Mini-splits give supplementary heating and cooling for areas that are difficult to keep comfortable. 
• Use a ductless system to heat and cool a home addition or enclosed patio without the cost of installing ductwork or the inconvenience of relying on window AC units. 
• Mini split systems are the ideal choice for spaces where ductwork is impractical. A few examples are period houses, tiny homes, temperature controlled sheds or workshops, or garage conversions. 

What are the Perks of a Mini-Split System? 

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

• Avoid the hidden issues of ductwork: By delivering heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t pass through holey air ducts on its way to every room. This can save you as much as 30 percent on your heating and cooling expenses. Plus, if your home doesn’t already use ducts, you avoid the annoyance and price associated with adding them. 
• Select the best setting for all rooms: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office cool while maintaining a warm nursery—all while making the most of energy efficiency. 
• Save money and energy by not heating and cooling vacant rooms: Shutting supply registers in a central HVAC system can throw it off kilter, putting strain on the equipment and negating any potential savings. But with detached air handlers in every room, you can heat and cool specific areas only when you need them. 

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

As with standard HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits require accurate sizing and Expert installation to deliver the greatest performance. Our experienced mini split installers in Fort Lauderdale can help you figure out if a mini-split system will match your needs. We can then help you with figuring out the exact equipment size and model to make your residence as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible. 

For extra info, or to request an appointment, contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 954-736-4314. You can also schedule an appointment online.