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

Most homeowners are most familiar with central air conditioners.

Mini-split systems are a form of ductless heating and cooling. In place of giving conditioned air to the entire house via a network of air ducts, they heat and cool a lone room at a time. This delivers more direct temperature control, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency.

How Do Mini-Split Air Conditioners Work?

Mini-splits most closely resemble heat pumps in the way they run. Both models of equipment provide electric cooling, the same as an air conditioner. This requires using refrigerant to draw out heat from inside a building and exhausting that heat outside. Then, a reversing valve enables the system to run backward, heating your home in the winter by extracting heat from outdoor air and bringing it inside.

The biggest difference between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t need ductwork. Alternatively, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which fits directly 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 small conduit in the wall. This exterior component looks like an air conditioner or heat pump condenser.

More than one indoor unit can work off of an individual outdoor condenser, permitting you to heat and cool your entire residence with this system if wanted. This set-up also makes zoning practical, an extremely popular feature that permits you to determine when, where and how much you heat and cool distinct areas.

 

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

Mini-splits are a fantastic choice for many households. Consider these reasons why installing a ductless mini-split may be right for you:

What are the Perks of a Mini-Split System?

Ductless mini-splits are very capable systems, but you might still be thinking why you would want to install it over a regular furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why a growing number of Long Island homeowners are using ductless mini-splits:

• Avoid the hidden issues of ductwork: By delivering heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t move through cracked 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 house doesn’t already have ducts, you avoid the hassle and cost that comes with installing them.
• Select the right temp for each room: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office refreshing while maintaining a comfortable nursery—all while making the most of energy efficiency.
• Conserve money and energy by not heating and cooling empty areas: Securing supply registers in a central HVAC system can disturb it, putting stress on the equipment and canceling any potential savings. But with detached air handlers in each room, you can heat and cool particular areas only when you need them.

Depend on Matz-Rightway to Install Your Mini-Split Air Conditioner

As with traditional HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits require accurate sizing and Expert installation to deliver the most efficient performance. Our knowledgeable mini split installers in Long Island can help you decide if a mini-split system will fit your needs. We can then help you with figuring out the exact equipment size and model to make your house as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, contact Matz-Rightway at 631-406-9220. You can also schedule an appointment online.