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

Many homeowners are acquainted with central air conditioners. 

Mini-split systems are a form of ductless heating and cooling. In place of providing conditioned air to the full residence through a network of air ducts, they heat and cool one room at a time. This provides 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 run. Both kinds of equipment offer electric cooling, the same as an air conditioner. This uses refrigerant to remove heat from inside a building and discharging that warmth outside. Then, a reversing valve allows the system to operate backward, warming your home in the winter by extracting heat from outdoor air and bringing it inside. 

The biggest difference between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t need ductwork. Instead, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which is installed on the wall or ceiling in the room you wish to heat and cool. Copper tubes, wiring and a condensate drain line connect 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 connect to a single outdoor condenser, enabling you to heat and cool your total home with this system if wanted. This arrangement also makes zoning possible, an extremely desirable feature that allows you to determine when, where and how much you heat and cool individual rooms. 

Is a Ductless Mini-Split Right for My Residence? 

Mini-splits are a good solution for the majority of households. Think about these reasons why getting a ductless mini-split may be right for you: 

• You can heat and cool an entire residence that lacks existing ductwork. 
• You’ll be able to shut off the heat and air conditioning in unused rooms to save on your energy expenses. 

• Mini-splits give extra heating and cooling for rooms that are hard to keep comfy. 
• Use a ductless system to heat and cool a residence addition or enclosed porch without the hassle of putting in ductwork or the inconvenience of using window AC units. 
• Mini split systems are the natural choice for spaces where traditional ducts is impractical. A few examples might be 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 extremely capable systems, but you might still be thinking why you would want to choose it over a common furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why a growing number of Fort Lauderdale homeowners are installing ductless mini-splits: 

• Avoid the pitfalls of ductwork: By providing heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t go through cracked air ducts on its way to all rooms. This can save you upward of 30 percent on your heating and cooling expenses. Also, if your house doesn’t already use ducts, you avoid the annoyance and expense connected to installing them. 
• Select 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 warm nursery—all while maximizing energy efficiency. 
• Conserve money and energy by not heating and cooling unused spaces: Securing supply registers in a central HVAC system can throw it off balance, putting strain on the equipment and canceling any likely savings. But with independent air handlers in each room, you can heat and cool certain spaces only when you need them. 

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

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

For added info, or to get an appointment, get in touch with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 954-736-4314. You can also schedule an appointment online.