Mini split heat and air systems are becoming a popular choice for home and business owners interested in installing ductless HVAC systems in their house or commercial space. Marketed as an easier solution to providing multi-zone heating and cooling, mini splits present a new opportunity for users to improve indoor climate control without retrofitting your entire space.
Are you looking for a way to improve your home’s heating and cooling without extreme remodeling or the use of inefficient portable heating and cooling units? Read on to learn if a mini split heat and air system is right for you.
What is a Mini Split?
A mini split is an independent heating and cooling system designed for heating and cooling smaller/individual spaces. Mounted on the upper wall or within the ceiling, they take up a small amount of space while providing a mighty amount of climate control power for users.
Mini splits, sometimes referred to as ductless heat pumps, ductless air conditioners/heaters or ductless HVAC systems, operate by pulling in air from the room and then heating or cooling it before introducing the air back into the space. They require minimal modifications to the building, just small holes to run the refrigerant lines that run from an indoor air-handling unit to an outdoor compressor. The outdoor condenser is smaller than an AC compressor and easy to install.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Mini Split Heat and Air Systems?
Disadvantages of Mini Split Heat and Air Systems
There are very few disadvantages to mini split systems when installed in the right type of location. Most of the disadvantages relate to mini split heating and cooling not being appropriate for the space, rather than a deficiency in the mini split itself. There are a few considerations, however:
More Expensive Initial Investment
One of the leading drawbacks to mini split AC and heat is the initial investment. Individual units can be pricey if you plan to outfit your entire home. If you are looking to enhance your existing HVAC or install a single unit in a garage or outbuilding, you probably will not balk at the cost. If you want to expand into multiple rooms, compare the cost of a new traditional HVAC system or duct overhaul (or both). You may find that the mini split option is more affordable than you think. That’s before even considering the benefits that enhance your investment.
Need Space in the Room for Installation
Some mini split systems can be installed in the ceiling for a more streamlined space. Most, however, will be mounted high up on a wall. You will also need to ensure that the installation location provides a route for the air handling unit to connect to the condenser outside. The size of the unit may seem unimportant to most users. However, people with small rooms, low clearance or limited wall space will want to consider this potential problem carefully.
Aesthetics
If you are unable to install your mini split ductless heater in the ceiling, it will be visible. Some people are not a fan of the look of mini splits. This is even with all of the efforts manufacturers have made to slim them down and make them more discrete. However, it is worth noting that window-AC units, oil heaters, space heaters and other commercial and residential heating systems also clutter a space. Additionally, they do not offer near the efficiency of a mini split heat and air unit. Plus, a heating and AC model means year-round climate control with less maintenance than central systems.
Advantages of Mini Split Heat and Air Systems
Let’s talk about the benefits of a ductless HVAC system. There’s a reason mini split heating and air systems have grown in popularity. Here are a few key benefits to ductless heating and cooling:
Energy Efficient
Ductless mini split systems use far less energy than a conventional furnace/AC combo. There are multiple reasons for this. The first is that you can operate them with individualized settings. Turn down rooms/spaces that are not in use and power up in rooms where people are hanging out, working or sleeping. There’s no need for the entire furnace to power up and force air into unused spaces. You also don’t lose heat in the ducts. More of the heat you’re paying for is actually getting into the space you are using.
Mini splits are also much more efficient than electric baseboard heating. Additionally, you will find that mini splits have become a popular replacement for baseboard heating. It is a common retrofit in older hotels, apartments, businesses and homes. Many new systems are Energy Star-certified. This requires them to operate in a way that won’t just power up your energy bill.
Great for Retrofitting Homes and Businesses without Ductwork
There are several reasons why a home or business may not have — or be able to use — ductwork. In some cases, a home or business may not have any ductwork at all. For example, some homes may be equipped with electric baseboard heaters that are cumbersome and no longer efficient.
In other cases, the ductwork may be old and in need of replacement. Unfortunately, this can be incredibly complicated, time-consuming and expensive. Mini splits offer an alternative to AC installation or furnace retrofitting.
Automatic Climate Zoning
Everyone has a room that never seems to warm up in the winter, or a southern-facing space that roasts like a Thanksgiving turkey in the summer. If you have central AC or central heat without specialized zoning, those rooms never get the individual attention they need. Mini splits make it easy to adjust these rooms without a massive overhaul of your existing HVAC.
These individualized cooling and heating systems are also beneficial in the temperature wars we all witness. If one person enjoys a cold room and a different household member prefers it hot, they can adjust the room to suit their individual preferences. Unfortunately, a mini split will not magically resolve spousal debates on the room temp. You’ll have to work through that one on your own.
Mini split heat and air units are also extremely useful for heating or cooling spaces that are not linked to your central HVAC. Maybe you have a garage you want to heat or a space in a barn or shed where you would like climate control. You can create a comfortable space to work in a shop or garage without installing an entire new HVAC system.
Remote Control Capabilities
Remote capabilities are a tiny benefit that feels huge when you’re laying in bed at 2 a.m. and you’re wishing you’d set that thermostat just a bit lower before getting comfortable. You can simply point and change. This is also useful when you consider that the placement of a mini split is usually rather high on the wall. Just make sure you don’t lose the remote.
Cleaner Air – No Dirty Ducts and Reduced Dust
HVAC companies spend a lot of time helping homeowners with their air quality. A heating and air conditioning system that uses vents can rapidly become a dust and germ transportation system that fills your house with particulate matter every time the furnace or AC powers on. Ductless air conditioners/heaters are maintained individually where they are installed.
Are You Considering a Mini Split AC and Heater for Your Home of Business?
If you would like to explore more information about the benefits of mini split heating and cooling, give Flow Right a call. We can help you explore your options for ductless HVAC and find the right combination and system for you. Give us a call to start taking more control over your indoor heating and cooling.