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

The majority of homeowners are acquainted with central air conditioners. 

Mini-split systems are a kind of ductless heating and cooling. Instead of delivering conditioned air to the complete home through a network of air ducts, they heat and cool a single room at a time. This allows more targeted 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 cool. Both styles of equipment provide electric cooling, just like an air conditioner. This involves using refrigerant to extract heat from inside a building and issuing that heat outside. Then, a reversing valve enables the system to work backward, adding warmth to your house in the winter by removing 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. Alternatively, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which is installed on the wall or ceiling in the room you are looking to heat and cool. Copper tubes, wiring and a condensate drain line link to an outdoor condensing unit through a narrow conduit in the wall. This exterior component looks like an air conditioner or heat pump condenser. 

Several indoor units can work off of an individual outdoor condenser, allowing you to heat and cool your total residence with this system if desired. This configuration also makes zoning feasible, a very attractive feature that lets you determine when, where and how much you heat and cool specific areas. 

Is a Ductless Mini-Split the Best Option for My Residence? 

Mini-splits are a great option for many households. Consider these reasons why getting a ductless mini-split might be a smart choice for you: 

• You can heat and cool an entire home that has no existing ductwork. 
• It’s possible to shut off the heat and air conditioning in unused areas to save on your heating and cooling bills. 

• Mini-splits deliver added heating and cooling for areas that are hard to keep comfortable. 
• Use a ductless system to heat and cool a house addition or enclosed porch without the cost of putting in ductwork or the inconvenience of using window AC units. 
• Mini-splits are the natural choice for spaces where overhead ductwork is impractical. A few examples are historic houses, tiny homes, temperature controlled sheds or workshops, or garage conversions. 

What are the Pluses of a Mini-Split System? 

Ductless mini-splits are highly effective systems, but you could still be considering why you would want to choose it over a regular furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why a growing number of Edmonton homeowners are using ductless mini-splits: 

• Avoid the hidden issues of ductwork: By giving heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t move through holey air ducts on its way to every room. This can save you nearly 30 percent on your heating and cooling costs. Along with that, if your home doesn’t already use ducts, you avoid the hassle and expense connected to adding them. 
• Find the best temperature for each room: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office chilly while maintaining a warm nursery—all while making the most of energy efficiency. 
• Save money and energy by not heating and cooling vacant spaces: Securing supply registers in a central HVAC system can throw it off balance, putting stress on the equipment and canceling any possible savings. But with detached air handlers in each room, you can heat and cool certain spaces only when you need them. 

Trust Rob's Albertan Service Experts to Install Your Mini-Split Air Conditioner 

The same as common HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits require accurate sizing and Expert installation to provide the greatest performance. Our skilled mini split installers in Edmonton can help you figure out if a mini-split system will fit your needs. We can then assist with determining the exact equipment size and model to make your home as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible. 

For added details, or to schedule an appointment, call Rob's Albertan Service Experts at 780-800-9047. You can also schedule an appointment online.