Everything You Need to Know About Home Heating & Cooling Mini Split Systems

With their small size and flexibility, mini splits are ideal for zoning and cooling individual rooms. They’re perfect for many spaces that are unsuitable for conventional HVAC, such as retrofitting non-ducted heating systems or offering precise temperature areas for large families. What are mini splits? Are they right for your home or office? Find out what you need to know.

What Are Mini Splits?

Ductless HVAC systems, also called mini splits, are similar to traditional HVAC systems in that they have indoor and outdoor components. The difference lies in where the cool air comes from. The two components include an outdoor condenser/compressor and an indoor air handling unit, which connects to the thermostat to control the temperature. Copper lines and coolant coils connect these components to circulate refrigerant.   Traditional systems rely on ducts to pump cool air through the home. If you have an older home, it can get expensive to install all this supporting ductwork for your HVAC system, which is where ductless systems offer a distinct advantage. They circulate air through the indoor unit without the need for ducts. Mini splits are simple in their design. They pull warm air from the room using the air handling unit, which is then transported to the condenser using copper lines and coolant coils. When the warm air hits the coils, it transfers thermal energy to them. The liquid inside turns to a gas, which is then send into the compressor and turned back into a liquid. That liquid is transferred to the air handler, entering the room and cooling it.

Benefits of the Mini Split System

Mini splits have several advantages over more traditional systems, such as:

Energy Efficiency

Ductless mini splits are more efficient than traditional HVAC because they allow rooms to be temperature controlled individually, rather than pumping cool air through the whole house. If you have rooms that don’t need cool air or aren’t used, you can avoid wasting energy to cool it.  

More Affordable

Mini splits can be less expensive than traditional HVAC, especially as utility prices continue to rise. Heating and cooling is a big energy expense, but ductless systems optimize cooling and energy use to get more bang for your buck.

More Versatility

Ductless systems are ideal for retrofitted homes that don’t have existing ductwork or adding cooling to expansions. Your traditional HVAC may not be enough to heat or cool the additional square footage with an addition, not to mention the need for more ductwork, but a ductless system can address those spaces without a full upgrade.

Convenient Features

Mini splits come with numerous features to optimize your heating and cooling even further, such as programmable timers, remote control operations, sleep timers, and washable filters. With the right features, you can save even more on heating and cooling.

Different Operating Modes

Mini splits offer more than just heating and cooling. If you live in a humid climate, dehumidifiers can pull the excess moisture from the air, making it more comfortable without added cooling. You could also rely on a fan-only option to circulate air without using excess energy.

Better Indoor Air Quality

With traditional HVAC, dirt and debris build up in the ducts and mix with moisture, creating mold and other toxic substances. As the system pushes cool air through the ducts, it ends up back in your home. Mini splits help improve your indoor air quality by minimizing dust and dirt that circulates back into your home.

Is Ductless the Right Choice for You?

Ductless systems offer a lot of advantages, but they may not be ideal for all spaces. Here are some things to consider:

Does Your Home Need Retrofitting?

Older homes and buildings often have no existing ducts to work with when you’re installing your new HVAC system. This means that you have to pay to install all of it, which adds to the cost of your new system. Mini splits don’t require ducts and are often better for these spaces.

Are You Downsizing?

If you are downsizing your home, such as when your kids move out, that’s a lot of unused space that you may be paying to cool. Cutting off the access for your HVAC system is added money and work, not to mention the potential for mold growth. Ductless systems only focus the cooling on the space you choose, so you’re not wasting money on cooling empty spaces.

Do You Have Rooms That Are Difficult to Cool?

Some rooms are more challenging to keep cool, whether they’re on the end of the duct line, they’re southern facing, or they have insulation issues. If that’s the case, a ductless system can make the space more comfortable without paying more to cool your entire home.

Do You Need Individual Temperature Control?

If you share a household with other people, you could end up arguing over the thermostat setting. Everyone has different preferences for their temperature comfort, and some people need warmer or cooler spaces for their health. Mini splits offer this zoned heating and cooling to keep everyone happy. Does a mini split sound like the right choice? Moore Home Services can help! Contact us today to get started.