A ductless mini-split is an HVAC system suitable for practically any home. That versatility and high efficiency have made them among the most popular HVAC options. Let’s explore why a mini-split may be a great choice for your home too.
Cooling and Heating
There are two types of mini-splits available: air conditioners and heat pumps. Ductless air conditioners provide cooling only. Ductless heat pumps deliver both heating and cooling. Those models will often also have electric resistive strips for auxiliary heating.
Impressive Energy Efficiency Ratings
A downside to central HVAC systems is that they can lose conditioned air through duct leakage. The Department of Energy estimates that loss to be between 20% and 40% in many homes. That isn’t the case with mini-splits because there are no ducts.
The industry uses the seasonal energy efficiency ratio to measure the cooling efficiency of ACs and heat pumps. For central systems, the baseline is about 14 SEER, and ratings can range as high as about 26. Mini-splits, on the other hand, start in the high teens. Most models are at least in the 20s, and there are systems with SEER ratings in the 30s and even the 40s.
Inherent Zoning
Another advantage of mini-splits is that they’re inherently zoned. HVAC zoning involves organizing a home into discrete areas that you can heat and cool independently. While zoning is an option with central systems, adding it can be complex and expensive. The DOE estimates that zoning can reduce energy costs by up to 30% over a traditional HVAC approach.
ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR is a program run by the DOE and Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA awards ENERGY STAR certification to HVAC equipment and other appliances that meet its high energy efficiency standards. Due to the inherent efficiency of the systems, most mini-splits earn the ENERGY STAR label. It’s less common among central ACs and generally reserved for costly high-efficiency systems. Choosing an ENERGY STAR product gives you confidence in your purchase. Additionally, it’s often the criteria for rebates, tax credits, and other energy incentives.
Low Installation Requirements
Mini-splits have few installation requirements compared to their central counterparts. There’s no need for ducts, which makes them a great choice in older homes that don’t have them. Generally, the only requirement is conduits running from the indoor units to the outdoor unit. That’s usually straightforward. In cases where it’s not, manufacturers offer various adapters to overcome challenges. Each indoor unit does require a dedicated condensate drain line. Typically, that drainage functions through gravity. In cases where that isn’t possible, your technician can install a pump instead.
Installing a mini-split system for your entire residence isn’t your only option. It’s ideal for home additions and other disconnected spaces. You can also add it to central HVAC as a cheaper way to achieve zoned HVAC.
Fast Installation With Minimal Disruptions
Installing a mini-split is generally a quick process. The average installation takes between four and six hours from start to finish. That assumes a typical system with one outdoor unit and between two and four indoor units. Installations can take longer if you require, for instance, ceiling mounts and special equipment, such as drainage pumps. Still, it’s uncommon for a mini-split installation to take more than a business day.
Various Indoor Mounting Options
There are different styles of indoor units. You can have the same style throughout your home, or you can mix and match them. Homeowners can make choices for aesthetic reasons or to meet the specific needs of zones. The standard indoor air handler is a wall-mounted unit. Modern wall units have a sleek form. They don’t take up a lot of valuable wall space, and we can install them high on the wall near the ceiling.
There are floor-mounted units available. Those are often a good choice in areas with limited clearance, such as finished basements. For customers who prefer or need ceiling-mounted units, there are several options. Suspended units don’t usually require additional ceiling support, which may otherwise be needed with heavier units. There are also lightweight cassette units. A standard cassette model sits flush against the ceiling. There are also cassettes that extend downward and have vents on each side. Those are effective in large rooms where wall units aren’t practical.
Remote Access and Control
Most mini-split manufacturers include a remote with each indoor unit. That lets you adjust the temperature and other settings from the couch or bed. It’s becoming increasingly common for mini-splits to have Wi-Fi and app support. That allows using your smartphone and other devices instead of a traditional remote control. Wi-Fi capabilities also let you monitor and control your mini-split when you’re outside the home. Many mini-splits have advanced features, such as sleep timers and other types of scheduling. You can also add wall-mounted smart thermostats to add even more sophisticated features to your system.
Directional Airflow
Most mini-splits have louvers you can adjust to dictate how air flows into a room. With manual louvers, you can move them up and down or side to side. Many models have occupancy sensors and active mechanical louvers for automatic airflow direction control. A mini-split with this feature will automatically keep the conditioned air from blowing directly on you. Alternatively, you could set it to do the opposite. That can be useful, for instance, when working out in front of the TV or on a treadmill or elliptical bike.
Enhanced Air Quality
Mini-splits promote better air quality because dust doesn’t accumulate out of reach in ducts. Modern mini-splits often have high-MERV air filters in each indoor unit. These filters can trap much of the dust and other particulate matter that passes through the system. Often, these filters are washable. You just have to check them periodically and wash them as needed. That means you’ll usually only have to replace your filters once a year.
Self-Cleaning Mode
All ACs and heat pumps have an evaporator coil. Due to condensation, the coil can form microbial growth and impact air quality. Many modern mini-splits have a self-cleaning mode. When the mini-split cycles off, it will leave the blower running for a short time. That will move air over the coil to get rid of the remaining condensation, which makes growth less likely. You’ll still need to schedule professional maintenance seasonally. That said, it will help to avoid problems between tune-ups, such as musty odors.
Ductless Mini-Split Installation in Glendale
At Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical, we install, maintain, and repair ductless air conditioners and heat pumps throughout Glendale, AZ and the surrounding areas. Our NATE-certified HVAC technicians also work with gas and electric furnaces, central air conditioners, and central heat pumps. We install and service air purifiers and ultraviolet sanitizers as well. You can count on us for duct repairs and blown-in attic insulation. We have licensed electricians available for inspections, repairs, and upgrades. That includes wiring, electrical panels, surge protection, whole-house generators, EV charging stations, outlets, indoor and outdoor lighting, and ceiling fans. Our plumbers pipe and repipe water, sewer, and gas lines. We clean drains and fix leaks. Our team also installs and services kitchen and bathroom fixtures, traditional and tankless water heaters, and water filtration and softening systems. Contact us today to ask any questions or schedule an appointment.
