Guidebook to Mini-Split Air Conditioners: What They Are and How They Operate

The majority of homeowners are most familiar with central air conditioners. 

Mini-split systems are a type of ductless heating and cooling. In place of providing conditioned air to the entire house with a network of air ducts, they heat and cool one room at a time. This delivers more advanced temperature control, improving comfort and energy efficiency. 

How Do Mini-Split Air Conditioners Work? 

Mini-splits are most similar to heat pumps in the way they cool. Both kinds of equipment offer electric cooling, similar to an air conditioner. This requires using refrigerant to remove heat from inside a building and issuing that heat outside. Then, a reversing valve permits the system to work backward, warming your house in the winter by removing heat from outdoor air and depositing it inside. 

The largest contrast between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t have to have ductwork. Alternatively, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which is installed on the wall or ceiling in the space you want to heat and cool. Copper tubes, wiring and a condensate drain line connect to an outdoor condensing unit through a small conduit in the wall. This exterior component looks like an air conditioner or heat pump condenser. 

Several indoor units can connect to an individual outdoor condenser, enabling you to heat and cool your entire residence with this system if wanted. This set-up also makes zoning feasible, a highly attractive feature that lets you choose when, where and how much you heat and cool distinct spaces. 

Is a Ductless Mini-Split the Best Choice for My House? 

Mini-splits are an excellent solution for the majority of households. Think about these reasons why installing a ductless mini-split may be a good choice for your home: 

• You can heat and cool an entire residence that has no existing ductwork. 
• It’s possible to turn off the heat and air conditioning in empty rooms to save on your heating and cooling costs. 

• Mini-splits deliver supplementary heating and cooling for spaces that are hard to keep comfy. 
• Use a ductless system to heat and cool a home addition or enclosed patio without the hassle of adding ductwork or the hassle of relying on window AC units. 
• Mini-splits are the perfect choice for spaces where ductwork is impractical. A few examples might be period houses, tiny homes, temperature controlled sheds or workshops, or garage conversions. 

What are the Advantages of a Mini-Split System? 

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

• Avoid the hidden issues of ductwork: By giving heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t go through leaky air ducts on its way to every room. This can save you upward of 30 percent on your heating and cooling expenses. Plus, if your home doesn’t already use ducts, you avoid the hassle and expense that comes with adding them. 
• Select the right temperature for each room: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office chilly while maintaining a cozy nursery—all while maximizing energy efficiency. 
• Use less money and energy by not heating and cooling vacant spaces: Securing supply registers in a central HVAC system can throw it off kilter, putting stress on the equipment and negating any potential savings. But with individual air handlers in every room, you can heat and cool certain rooms only when you need them. 

Depend on McKinley Heating Service Experts to Add Your Mini-Split Air Conditioner 

As with standard HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits require meticulous sizing and Expert installation to deliver the greatest performance. Our experienced mini split installers in Edmonton can help you figure out if a mini-split system will meet your needs. We can then assist with finding the correct equipment size and model to make your house as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible. 

For extra info, or to request an appointment, contact McKinley Heating Service Experts at 780-800-7092. You can also schedule an appointment online.