How do Ductless Mini-Split Systems Work?
Pensacola and the surrounding areas see some distinct advantages of installing ductless mini-split AC systems in their homes and businesses. If you are trying to heat or cool one particular area in your home or business such as an office or sunroom, or you want a separate system for your master bedroom or home addition, ductless mini-split systems are a great choice. But, how do they work?
How Do They Work?
Ductless mini-split systems work like normal central air conditioning systems but without the ductwork. How is that possible?
Mini-splits get their air supply from the air in the room they occupy. To cool your home, a mini-split system recycles small amounts of room-temperature air from your home and pulls the air in the unit, over the cold evaporator coils. The heat absorbed exits through the outdoor unit and the cold air distributes back inside your home to cool a room.
How Is This Different Than A Heat Pump?
In a regular heat pump (split) system, your indoor unit (air handler) is in your attic, your basement, or a closet. Ductwork carries your home’s air supply into this central location where it is cooled and then returned to your home via more ducts. Simply said, both regular HVAC systems and ductless mini-split systems remove warm air from your home and replace it with cool air.
With a ductless mini-split system, the smaller indoor unit is actually located in the room it’s cooling thus eliminating the need for ductwork. Ductless systems operate in the same manner as a heat pump meaning they can also heat the area where they are being used, in a more energy-efficient manner.
Can A Ductless System Cool (or Warm) An Entire Home?
A ductless mini-split system can heat or cool an entire home. You would need more than one indoor unit to cool or heat additional rooms. These highly-efficient systems are great for older homes which may not have existing ductwork. Plus, there are a variety of styles of mini-split systems which can be mounted flush with your ceilings or walls.
Why Would I Want A Ductless Mini-Split System?
If you live in, or happen to be remodeling a home with no existing ductwork, ductless mini-split systems are often easier and more economical to install, rather than running new ductwork through the whole home. As mentioned above, they’re versatility allows them to cool and heat a room or an entire home. Individual zoning within your home is another advantage of mini-split systems. Since each room or area in your home can have it’s own unit, you can individually control the temperature in each part of your home, allowing you to be more comfortable and even save money in rooms that aren’t often occupied.
What Makes Mini-Split Systems So Energy Efficient?
ENERGY STAR estimates that in a typical home, 20-30% of the air that moves through a duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected and maintained ducts. Ductless mini-splits have no ductwork, so right off the bat, you can expect to have 20-30% better efficiency and increased air flow vs a traditional ducted system.
Want to Know More?
Climatech of Professional Air specializes in ductless mini-split systems. If you have a room (or rooms) in your home that just won’t get cool or warm enough, a sunroom that you would like to make more comfortable, or a renovated garage that needs it’s on HVAC system, a ductless mini split may be the way to go.
Contact Us
For more information, contact Climatech of Professional Air. We specialize in mini-split maintenance, repair, and installation.
We are your local independently owned American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Customer Care Dealer in Pensacola, FL. For more information, call us (850) 857-4700 or send us an email at [email protected] For more helpful articles like this, check out our blog.
