Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioners & Heat Pumps

What You Need To Know About Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioners

Do you have a room where it seems like the cool air never gets there? Have you added a new room but don’t want to ruin the aesthetics by putting in ductwork? Are you looking at replacing both your current heating and cooling systems and upgrading to a more efficient option? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then a ductless mini-split heat pump or mini-split air conditioner system may be just the option you were looking for. Ductless mini-split systems can change how you cool your home, providing an effective, quiet, and more comfortable option over traditional cooling methods. They also use significantly less energy, making them energy bill friendly. 

Superior Home Supplies has many ductless mini split options and brands, ensuring that you find the right system, with the right features, for the right price. Find out what a ductless mini-split system can do for your cooling needs by contacting Superior Home Supplies today to enquire about available options.

What is a ductless air conditioner?

Ductless mini-split systems are energy-efficient cooling systems with a high SEER rating and the ability for ideal temperature control through a remote-controlled indoor hander unit. These systems are like traditional split central air systems with an outdoor unit that contains a condenser and at least one air handler inside. If you opt for a multi-zone system, there will be multiple air handlers in different sections of your home, while a single zone system will only have one air handling unit.

Yet, unlike a traditional air conditioning system that uses ductwork to deliver the air, these mini split air conditioner systems require no ductwork at all. Instead, in a ductless mini-split system, the outdoor unit is connected to the outdoor condenser through a line set, which is copper tubing containing refrigerant.

Is a ductless mini-split air conditioner system the right solution for my home?

Ductless mini-split systems can be the right option for many homeowners looking to install a new system in their home or add on to their current system. While these systems can work for almost any home, there are some situations where it will be the ideal option. A ductless mini-split may be the best option for you if:

• You have been relying on window or portable air conditioners: If you have been trying to cool a single room or small space and depend on a window unit or portable system, as you have no ductwork in that room, then a ductless mini-split may be just what you are looking for.

• You have been considering replacing your heating system as well: If you are planning on replacing or upgrading your heating system, a ductless mini-split could be the solution to your heating and cooling system needs. These systems are a type of heat pump which means they can reverse in the colder months and be used to heat rooms as well.

• You’re planning to remodel: Are you adding a sunroom this season? Perhaps you are renovating some of your current living spaces? Or maybe you are converting your garage to a living space?  If you are having problems working around ductwork, or want to add a new space without having to add ductwork to it, then a ductless mini-split can give you the cooling you need while taking up little space.

• You’re experiencing uneven cooling: Sometimes, cooling from a central air conditioning system can be uneven, especially if you have vaulted ceilings or an open floorplan. Switching to or adding a ductless mini-split can help you achieve consistency and even cooling throughout the home. It can also provide better cooling for the rooms you utilize most. 

• You have asthma or allergy sufferers in the home: If you have family members who suffer from allergies or asthma and have a traditional air conditioning system in place, switching to a ductless system may improve your indoor air quality. Without ductwork, dust and allergens would not be pushed through the air supply, triggering symptoms for those with more fragile respiratory systems.

What are the benefits of a ductless mini-split?

Choosing a ductless mini-split system can provide many benefits for your wallet and your comfort. Some of the most significant benefits of a ductless system include:

• No ductwork: Not requiring ductwork can save you on installation if you don’t have ductwork currently installed. It can also improve the efficiency of your system as there will be no air lost along the ductwork and no leaks that make the system work harder. You will also reduce dust and allergens when you eliminate ductwork. This can be especially important in homes with pets. 

• Greater efficiency: Having no ductwork is not the only thing that helps ductless systems to be more efficient. You can keep multiple rooms at different temperatures when you have a multi-zone system, which means you will only be using energy when and where you need it most. Many systems also have smart controls and timers, allowing you to change the temperature at regular intervals when you aren't using the space. 

• Directional airflow: Ductless system can have a dual split vane design, allowing you to direct the airflow where you need it. This way, you can point the vent to maximize efficiency instead of bouncing off a wall first, where some of the airflow would be wasted.

• Easy to install: Mini-splits AC units are so easy to install that many homeowners can do it themselves. All components are provided, and the precharged line set makes installation quick and easy.

• Versatility: The indoor handlers can be installed almost anywhere there is space. That includes walls, floors, and ceilings and allows them to work effortlessly into any room design.

• Can be used for heating: Since ductless mini-split systems are heat pumps, they can not only bring in cool air in the summer, but can also help to warm your home in the winter.

Are mini-split air conditioners system worth it?

Ductless mini-splits are less expensive to install than other units and can help you to save a significant amount on your energy bills. This, along with their minimal maintenance and low repair cost, makes mini-splits the perfect option for new systems or additions to your home.

The only time they may not be worth the investment is if you already have a central air system and ductwork in place and your air conditioning and furnace are less than ten years old. In this case, switching would probably not be worth the cost. Instead, wait until it is time to replace your other systems and see if it might be the best option.

Do ductless mini split ACs use a lot of electricity?

In most cases, ductless mini-split air conditioners will use significantly less electricity than traditional central air conditioning options. Since they consume less electricity, they are considered one of the more energy-efficient cooling options on the market. Under average conditions and temperature settings, you can expect your system to use less than 600 watts of electricity per hour.

How many square feet does a mini-split cool?

The amount of space your ductless system will cool will depend on the size of your system. One of the more popular sizes of ductless mini-splits is a 12,000 BTU model, which can heat and cool a room or space between 450 and 550 sq. ft.

That doesn’t mean that mini-splits can not effectively cool a large house. They are efficient systems for homes 2,500 square feet or even higher. To determine how large you need your system to be, you will need to determine the square footage of each room you plan to cool and multiply by 25 to get the estimated BTUs. If you have high ceilings, poor insulation, a lot of direct sunlight, or a lot of windows, you may want to multiply the total by 30 to 40.

What are the best mini-split air conditioners?

Choosing the best mini-split system will have a lot to do with the specific features you are looking for, the efficiency level, the size you need, and the cost you want to pay. While there is a wide range of systems on the market, two of the best options include:

Daikin Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner

Daikin offers an 36,000 BTU output AC system ideal for cooling and warming spaces not connected to a traditional HVAC system. The Daikin system can provide cooling for rooms and areas up to 2,000 sq. ft. with the 36,000 BTU model and is known for its quiet operation.

The system is also equipped with several unique modes, such as a power mode used to cool a space quickly, a timer setting, power-saving settings, and a quiet mode, allowing operations at even fewer decibels. Daikin also backs their system with a robust warranty that provides 10-year limited parts warranty coverage.

Senville SENL-24CD mini split air conditioner

The Senville SENL-24CD ductless air conditioner is known for its sleek design and low noise level. The system even features a whispered mode that allows it to operate at decibels quieter than any other system. It is a more extensive system with 24,000 BTUs and is designed for temperature control in an area up to 1,500 sq. ft.

Special features of the system include remote control operation, a shutoff timer, and a sleep mode that will slowly raise the temperature during the night to allow for greater efficiency. It also includes a turbo setting to reduce the temperature in a room or space more quickly.

How are ductless air conditioner systems installed?

Whether you are looking for a DIY mini split AC unit or having a mini-split system installed by a professional, the process is quick and easy, making installation only a fraction of the initial investment. Installation is a simple three-step process that includes:

1. Installing the outside condenser

2. Running the refrigerant lines through the exterior wall to connect to the inside unit

3. Installing the indoor air handlers

What is the difference between a mini split AC unit and other air conditioning systems?

Ductless mini split systems and traditional split air conditioning systems are both effective ways to cool down a home, and both use an indoor unit and an outdoor unit that are connected. The primary difference between the two options is traditional AC is a ducted system that requires a series of ducts to deliver cooled air, and ductless systems do not. Additionally, with a mini-split system, the indoor unit will be controlled by remote control. A traditional air conditioning system such as these manufactured by Goodman, will be controlled with a thermostat.

How long does it take to cool a room with a mini-split air conditioner?

Many factors can be involved in how long it takes for a room to be cooled. You have to consider the size of the room, the size of the ductless systems, the height of the ceilings, the temperature outside, and the amount of sun coming through the windows.

Even though all of these factors can affect how long it takes for your mini-split to cool down a room, you can expect the room to cool by at least one degree every 15 minutes, 4 degrees every hour, or ten degrees every three hours. The good news is that once your system has gotten the room to the desired temperature, it will run slower to keep the temperature consistent.

How much do a mini-split air conditioners cost to run?

With the average wattage used for a mini-split running around 600 watts and most U.S. households paying an average of $0.13 per kWh for electricity, you can expect your ductless mini-split system to cost you around $56 per month in electricity.

Let Superior Home Supplies help with all your heating and cooling needs

Mini-split units and zone mini-splits can be the perfect solution for homeowners looking for an efficient way to cool a new space by providing added cooling power to a current system. Superior Home Supplies carries the latest in ductless mini-split systems so that you can find the size, efficiency levels, and features you want when choosing your next system. Contact us today to find out which mini-split will suit your cooling needs.