Ductless Mini Splits: Are They Right For You?
Air conditioning units are a tricky thing to buy–you want them to be effective, but you also want to be cost-effective, sustainable, and affordable. There aren’t many things out there that check off all the boxes. It’s especially difficult to install air conditioning if you live in a multi-family home or a retrofit add-on where ductwork doesn’t connect you to central air. Luckily, there is a solution out there that checks all those boxes: ductless mini splits.
An Introduction to Ductless Mini Splits
What Are They?
Ductless, mini split-system air-conditioners, also known as ductless mini splits, are AC units that don’t require ductwork to operate. Like central systems, they do still have an outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air-handling unit, but there are no connecting ducts–each room has its own unit. Essentially, it’s AC that isn’t central.
How Do They Work?
In a mini split system, each room or zone has its own individual indoor unit. While traditional central air units push and pull air into their central unit, mini splits operate by room; so each zone will handle its own individual cooling needs through an individual fan and evaporator unit.
Ductless Mini Split Components & Benefits
Components
A great way to understand how ductless mini splits work is by breaking them down into their three components: the outdoor compressor/condenser unit, the indoor evaporator unit, and the drain lines, refrigerant tubing, and electric cables.
The outdoor compressor/condenser lives outside the home, and its purpose is to release heat from the refrigerant. The compressor pumps the refrigerant liquid into each unit in the house while the condenser coils, outdoor fan, and expansion valve work together to ensure the refrigerant stays cold.
Ductless mini splits have one outdoor compressor unit for up to eight indoor evaporators in different rooms. This network will cool the entire house. The indoor evaporators are responsible for making sure the cold air the compressor/condenser is pumping actually gets to your room—they consist of evaporator coils, a blower, and an air filter.
While a line set specifically refers to the refrigerant tubing, many also use it to refer to the entire electric cable system: the refrigerant, drain, and electrical lines. Essentially, the function of the wiring is to transfer the hot gas from the inside of your house to the outside compressor.
Benefits
There are many advantages to a mini-split system, but these are the big four:
- Energy efficiency: Compared to more traditional AC models, ductless mini splits have proven to lower cooling costs by as much as 30%. That’s not only an energy-saver but also a bargain.
- Zone cooling: Similarly, you can further save resources with zone cooling. Each room can be adjusted to their own temperature, so you can make rooms cooler while they’re occupied and warmer while they’re not.
- Smart thermostat options: Like all other industries, most units now have smart features like adjusting temperatures from an app on your phone. Not only do you no longer have to walk to the room to change the temperature, but you can also pre-set your thermostat, which is really helpful while you sleep.
- Easy installation: Because there’s no ductwork, installers will be in and out of your home quickly and with minimal alterations. This lowers labor costs too.
Ideal Locations Ductless mini splits are designed for spaces where ductwork just isn’t feasible, such as room additions, converted spaces, or simply homes that don’t have ductwork. When it comes to placement within a room, you want to consider which location will allow for optimal air distribution throughout the room, and things like aesthetics, ease of maintenance, and noise (though mini splits are quieter than traditional units). Luckily, mini splits are extremely customizable and can be wall mounted, floor mounted, or even put in the ceiling. There is also the option of partial ducts. The professional who is handling your installation will be able to advise the best spots for your units, but you don’t need to have the same type of unit or same location of unit for every room. Myths, Misconceptions, and Maintenance Five common misconceptions about ductless mini splits are as follows:
- They’re only for additions or renovations
- They’re expensive and difficult to install
- They can’t cool an entire home
- They’re unattractive
- They collect and distribute bacteria