Ductless Mini Split AC
Unlike traditional air conditioning systems that use ductwork to circulate cooled air throughout your home, a ductless mini-split system is made up of indoor air handling units mounted on the walls and connected to an outdoor compressor unit via thin conduit. This eliminates the need for ductwork and provides ultra-precise room-by-room temperature control.
Ductless mini-splits are perfect for new construction, additions to existing homes, and spaces where ductwork is inaccessible or poorly insulated. They also offer energy efficiency gains over older systems that use rotary compressors and on/off operation. You can often find models with SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) ratings up to 50, which is impressive for an air conditioner. Look for models that are Energy Star-rated, too. This means that the system has been certified to save money and reduce your home’s environmental impact, and that it offers products and performance demanded by consumers.
A ductless mini-split’s energy Mini Split AC efficiency and performance are driven by improvements in compressor technology. Carrier mini-split systems, for example, feature inverter-controlled variable speed operation. This allows the compressor to adjust its output as needed to maintain a set comfort level, reducing energy usage and wear on fans and other components. You can further enhance the efficiency of your ductless system by cleaning the air filter regularly, and keeping the outdoor unit clean to minimize heat transfer from the compressor.
Compared with other types of air conditioners, a ductless mini-split’s operating noise is very low. Many manufacturers rate the decibel levels of the indoor air handlers at 20-49, and the decibel levels of the outdoor unit at 45-60. This is comparable to a quiet library or the sounds of a suburban neighborhood.
In addition to enhancing the efficiency of your cooling system, a ductless air conditioner can improve your indoor air quality by reducing allergens and other pollutants. They do this by separating the evaporator coils and condenser coils on each side of an insulated wall, preventing waste heat from leaching across the gap. Window and portable air conditioners, by contrast, have relatively thin heat shields that can allow a significant amount of heat to leak across the gaps.
A professional HVAC contractor can help you determine the exact cooling needs of your space and recommend the best sized system for it. The smallest ductless units can cool up to 400 square feet, while larger ductless systems can comfortably serve up to 7,000 square feet.
A ductless air conditioner can be used to cool multiple rooms or zones in a house or commercial space, and it can be used to replace central air conditioning systems. They can also be used to heat and cool spaces that don’t have ducts, such as a converted insulated garage or an addition onto an existing home. A ductless system can be more cost effective than a centralized system in these situations because it is less expensive to install and repair ductwork. Plus, a ductless system can save you energy by eliminating duct losses, which can account for 30% of your energy costs.