There’s nothing quite as refreshing as a cool, fresh room in the midst of a blistering summer. Unfortunately, more traditional centralized systems don’t suit the needs of all Boston homeowners. They’re too large for smaller homes, tricky to install, and might not meet energy efficient standards for green-conscious consumers. Window units take the hassle out of installation, but they’re noisy, dangerous, and an absolute eyesore. Portable units solve space problems but usually aren’t up to the task of cooling more than a small room. Here, we’ll take a look at what a ductless mini-split air conditioner is and why you should consider it for your home.
Ductless mini-split vs. centralized air conditioner
The similarities
Both mini-splits and their centralized counterparts are designed to heat and cool air within an enclosed area. Both HVAC systems are composed of two primary parts: an indoor handling unit and an outdoor unit (a compressor). Additionally, mini-splits and traditional air conditioning units have refrigerant piping, power cables, condensation drains, and other conduits connecting the internal and external units.
The differences
The most distinct difference between mini-splits and centralized AC units is the use of ductwork. While the latter relies on extensive duct systems to distribute air throughout a home, the former uses indoor handling units instead. These individual units allow Boston homeowners to control the temperature of each room individually with a dedicated thermostat for each zone. Centralized units, on the other hand, are controlled with one thermostat that impacts the temperature for the entire home.
How does a ductless mini-split air conditioner work?
As we just mentioned, a ductless AC system is made up of an outdoor compressor and indoor handling units. Depending on the size of your property and your cooling needs, you can choose to have a single or multi-zone ductless system. This simply refers to the number of handling units installed. Anywhere you want temperature control in your home, you’ll need one of these units. No matter how many handlers you use, you’ll only need one condenser.
So, how do these systems actually work? Well, each indoor unit has evaporator coils filled with refrigerant that absorb heat from the air inside the room. The refrigerant eventually flows to the compressor where the heat is released from the refrigerant. This cycle is continuously repeated to maintain a cooler temperature inside.
What are the advantages of a mini-split AC?
Improved energy efficiency
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 30% of the energy used by traditional central AC systems is wasted due to inefficiencies within the ductwork such as poor connections, gaps, cracks, and insulation issues. Homeowners can avoid this problem altogether by using a ductless system. Furthermore, many traditional HVAC units only have two operation modes: on and off. Alternatively, mini-splits conserve energy by allowing each zone to be set at the desired temperature.
Easier installation
When compared to conventional ducted systems, the mini-split installation process is much quicker and efficient. They’re a great option for older homes and apartments or add-on projects where adding or extending ductwork wouldn’t make sense. Boston homeowners also have much more design flexibility when it comes to deciding where to place indoor handling units.
Greater control
With ductless mini-splits, homeowners have temperature control in each individual room, making these systems much more flexible than ducted air conditioners. A dedicated thermostat is installed in each zone where desired settings are selected. Many units even come with a remote control, allowing for even smoother operation.
Quieter operation
Another major advantage of ductless mini-split ACs when compared to other HVAC units is nearly noiseless operation. In fact, some indoor handling units produce less noise than a whisper. What about the outdoor units? Just as impressive, these compressors don’t give off much more noise than background music.
If you want to learn more about the advantages of mini-split air conditioners for your Boston home or office and how you can get one installed, feel free to contact us online or via phone at (617) 915-2803.