Most homeowners are most familiar with central air conditioners.
Mini-split systems are a type of ductless heating and cooling. Rather than giving conditioned air to the total house with a network of air ducts, they heat and cool a single room at a time. This allows more direct temperature control, improving 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 provide electric cooling, similar to an air conditioner. This requires using refrigerant to extract heat from in a building and issuing that warm air outside. Then, a reversing valve permits the system to run backward, heating your house in the winter by pulling heat from outdoor air and adding it inside.
The main contrast between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t require ductwork. Instead, 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 small conduit in the wall. This exterior component looks similar to an air conditioner or heat pump condenser.
Several indoor units can connect to an individual outdoor condenser, enabling you to heat and cool your full home with this system if if you want. This configuration also makes zoning feasible, a highly attractive feature that lets you choose when, where and how much you heat and cool individual rooms.
Is a Ductless Mini-Split the Best Choice for My House?
Mini-splits are a fantastic solution for many households. Consider these reasons why using a ductless mini-split might be a wise choise for your needs:
You can heat and cool a complete residence that doesn’t have existing ductwork. You can turn off the heat and air conditioning in unoccupied rooms to save on your heating and cooling bills. Mini-splits deliver additional heating and cooling for areas that are difficult to keep cozy. Use a ductless system to heat and cool a residence addition or enclosed patio without the cost of putting in ductwork or the inconvenience of using window AC units. Mini split systems are the perfect choice for spaces where traditional ducts 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 very capable 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 Oklahoma City homeowners are getting ductless mini-splits:
- Avoid the hidden issues of ductwork: By providing heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t pass through leaky air ducts on its way to all rooms. This can save you nearly 30 percent on your heating and cooling costs. Plus, if your house doesn’t already use ducts, you avoid the annoyance and cost that comes with putting them in.
- Select the ideal temperature for all rooms: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office refreshing while maintaining a comfortable nursery—all while optimizing energy efficiency.
- Use less money and energy by not heating and cooling unused spaces: Securing supply registers in a central HVAC system can disturb it, putting stress on the equipment and negating any possible savings. But with independent air handlers in each room, you can heat and cool specific spaces only when you need them.
Trust Gordon's Service Experts to Add Your Mini-Split Air Conditioner
Much like traditional HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits call for accurate sizing and Expert installation to deliver the most efficient performance. Our experienced mini split installers in Oklahoma City can help you decide if a mini-split system will match your needs. We can then help you with finding the exact equipment size and model to make your house as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible.
For more information, or to book an appointment, get in touch with Gordon's Service Experts at 405-432-2197. You can also schedule an appointment online.