In a place as hot as Houston, air conditioning is non-negotiable.
There’s no one-size-fits-all option when it comes to the type of air conditioner you purchase for your home or apartment, though.
If you’re looking for a small, energy-saving air conditioning system, a mini-split air conditioner might be a good fit.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about mini splits so you can decide if this is the right air conditioner for your home.
What Is a Mini-Split Air Conditioner?
When you are choosing between home cooling equipment, a mini-split air conditioner (also known as a ductless air conditioner), is a popular choice that you will likely come across.
This is a small-but-sturdy type of air conditioner that allows you to control temperatures in the individual rooms of your home.
Mini-Splits vs Central Air Conditioning: Which Should You Choose?
The primary difference between mini-splits and central conditioning is the absence of ducts and the extent of their cooling capabilities.
Central air uses your home’s ductwork to cool down the entire house. Mini-splits are ductless and cool down individual rooms.
If you are having a hard time deciding between these two choices, here are some questions you might want to ask yourself:
Do I Have Existing Ductwork?
If you already have existing ductwork in your home, you may choose to take advantage of it and go with central air. If you live in a home without ductwork, though, it will cost a lot of money to install it.
In this case, a mini-split would likely be a more cost-effective choice.
Am I Sensitive to Noise?
Mini-splits are a lot quieter than other cooling systems. If you are very sensitive to noise, you may prefer a mini split over central air.
How Large Is My Home?
For larger homes, mini splits are not always the most effective air conditioning unit. If your home is over 2,000 square feet, you may prefer central air, as a mini-split might not have enough power to cool your house down.
Do I Value Energy-Efficiency?
If energy efficiency is your number one priority, you will likely be better off choosing a mini-split. There is less of a risk of air leaks when you select this type of air conditioner, and it can help you to reduce your energy bills in a significant way.
Parts of a Mini-Split
Ductless AC units cool your home down without air ducts.
Because they only cool one room, there is no need for complicated ductwork.
Mini-split air conditioners feature three primary components:
Indoor Unit
The indoor unit includes the blower and evaporator. It often sits on the wall or ceiling of the room you want to keep cool and is thin and about three feet in length.
The purpose of the indoor unit is to suck out warm air, absorb the heat and moisture from that air, then blow the cool air back into the room.
At the same time, the indoor unit also sends the heat and moisture it collected outside through the conduit.
Conduit
The conduit connects the indoor and outdoor units.
It is a long, thin cable that contains the refrigerant tubing, power cable, and condensate drain.
The conduit is responsible for feeding electrical power to both units.
It provides a pathway for heat and moisture to travel out of your home, too.
Outdoor Condenser
The outdoor condenser receives heat from inside of your house. It then “dumps” the heat into the air outside of your home.
Mini-Split Benefits
This type of air conditioner can work well for whole-home cooling.
It can also be a good addition for homes that have non-ducted heating systems (e.g., those that use hot water heat, radiant panels, or space heaters).
If the installation of expensive ductwork isn’t for you, you might want to think about a mini-split.
It will help you to keep your home cool without having to do a ton of prep work or renovating.
There are lots of other reasons to consider a mini-split air conditioner, including the following.
Energy Efficient Cooling
There is less of a risk of cold air escaping when you’re using a mini-split system. If energy efficiency and cost savings are important to you, a mini-split is a great choice.
Remember, duct losses can account for over 30 percent of energy consumption.
Quiet System
Mini-splits are very quiet, too. If you like a peaceful home and don’t want to be interrupted by the sound of your air conditioner, you may prefer a mini split over some other options.
Easy Customization
Mini-splits allow you to control the temperature of different rooms in your house with ease. For those who want one area to be cooler than another, it’s easy to adjust the unit to make that happen.
Types of Mini-Split Systems
There are a few different types of mini-split air conditioners you can choose from if you decide to use this option to cool down your home, including these:
- Wall-mounted: This is one of the most popular picks; as the name suggests, it features an indoor unit attached to the wall.
- Ceiling cassette: This is another popular choice in areas with dropped ceilings; it discretely provides four-way airflow.
- Dropdown cassette: If you do not have wall space or dropped ceilings, this can be a good alternative that still provides plenty of airflows.
- One-way ductless cassette: For areas with limited space, a one-way ductless cassette takes up less room while keeping things cool.
Get a Mini-Split Quote Today
Now that you know more about mini splits, what do you think? Is a mini-split air conditioner the right pick for your home or apartment?
If you need to cool down individual rooms and are looking for an affordable, quiet, and safe air conditioner, this is a great option to think about.
Punbar Air is here to help.
Contact us today to request service or get a free AC installation quote.
