Every home requires a good ductless mini-split system to supply cool air during those hot summer days. While bigger systems require professional installation, you can install smaller ones by yourself.
Once you purchase the ductless mini-split system for your home or office, learning how to install it correctly is crucial. But, you also need to understand how the system functions.
A home can have several mini-split systems that are all connected to an outdoor compressor. Every air conditioning unit indoors operates with a refrigerant that provides the cool air you yearn for.
As a ductless unit, you won’t have to worry about miles of ducts connecting the units, which can be an eyesore. The mini-split design is ductless, and inside each is evaporator coils that draw in the warm air to cool.
An In-depth Look Into Mini Split Systems
Mini-splits are simple to install and are less intrusive, making them the ideal DIY system for your home. But, it’s crucial to understand how they work before you start the installation process.
Many mini-split systems offer both cooling and heating options for your home. You can use them throughout the year, depending on the weather.
Every ductless system consists of dual parts that play a major role in its functionality. Outside you’ll get the compressor unit, while inside, you have the indoor unit.
Indoor units don’t have any ducts linking to the outdoor compressor and require mounting on walls. The only connection the indoor unit has with the compressor is through a refrigerant line. It’s a more pleasing connection rather than having huge ducts everywhere.
Additionally, the two share another connection in the form of a power cable to supply electricity. Also, there’s a drain line and suction tubing. You can have several indoor units that connect to one outdoor compressor for efficiency.
Assigning Rooms to Mini-Split Systems
Usually, mini splits are allocated to rooms in your home, depending on the size. Some can work with smaller rooms of about 250 square feet, while others can handle larger ones. Before you assign a mini-split to a room, read through the manual to know the area it’s suitable for. Putting a small mini-split in a large room won’t heat or cool as you need.
Therefore, check the capacity of each and start assigning the right rooms. The good news is smaller mini-splits are easy to install and have instructions that are easy to follow. You won’t need to incur the charges of a technician. Naturally, larger homes with numerous rooms can have multiple mini-split systems for each room. The right way to determine the number you need is by checking the number of rooms and their sizes.
One notable advantage once you’ve connected all the mini-splits to the outside compressor is efficiency. You won’t lose any cool or hot air due to miles of ducts in your home. Duct systems are known to lose as much as 30% of cool air, which isn’t efficient. It mostly happens when ducts are in areas without any air conditioning.
How Mini-Splits Work
Many people enjoy getting mini-splits for their homes because they can function as both heating and cooling devices. They share similarities with other AC units but only differ because they lack ducts.
Being a ductless system, a mini-split functions differently. It has both the indoor units and the outdoor compressor but no ducts to connect them. The indoor unit is installed on a wall without any ducts and delivers the cool or hot air directly into the room.
Usually, the mini-split system has settings either displayed as buttons you can push or an LED display screen. The latest ones have Wi-Fi functionality and an App you can download to your smartphone.
Once the system is running, all you need is to turn it on and start working with the settings to cool or heat your home. You must ensure your Wi-Fi is consistent for it to work, but there’s also a remote control if it doesn’t work for some.
Every indoor mini-split unit has evaporator coils inside that the system blows air over to cool before releasing it to the room. The coils have refrigerant in them that removes all the heat from the air giving you that cooling effect you desire.
The expelled heat travels through the refrigerant to the compressor outside. Here the condenser releases all the heat, and it goes on and on, leaving you with a comfortable living or working space to enjoy.
Pros of Mini-Split Systems
1. Size of Mini Splits
Air conditioning units can be huge and take up more room than necessary, making mini-splits perfect for indoors. Despite having varying capacities, mini splits are small and lightweight.
You won’t need to hire a technician or have someone with you during installation. All you need is the right tools, and you can complete the work alone. The small size takes up less room and also is aesthetically pleasing.
2. Flexibility
Mini-splits are small in size, making them flexible to mount even on small parts of the room. All you need is the right size, and you’re good to go.
3. Multiple Units Per Compressor
As many as four mini-split units can connect to one outdoor compressor and function well. It saves you the cost of having multiple outdoor compressors servicing the indoor units you have.
4. Easy Installation
Did you know that you can install multiple mini-split systems by only following the manual? You won’t need to incur extra cost hiring a technician since the systems are easy to put up.
Usually, the installation process takes some time, but you can turn it into a fun experience. You end up learning a lot about the system in the process.
5. Save Energy
Duct systems are notorious for losing energy in the process of cooling. However, that isn’t the case for ductless ones like mini-splits. They’re more eco-friendly and save energy due to their design.
6. Multiple Control Systems
The latest mini splits have a keypad control for manual settings change and Wi-Fi connectivity. With Wi-Fi, all you do is download an App from your smartphone and change settings. And the third way to control the system is using a remote control.
Cons of Mini-Split Systems
1. Cost
Despite being efficient, you’ll need to dig deep into your pockets to purchase one. The units are costly, and the amount gets higher when you need multiple for your home.
2. Room Size
Mini-splits suit specific room sizes, and it requires keen observation to get it right. You must go through the manual to know the correct size before installing. Placing the wrong mini-split in the wrong room size often leads to short cycling issues to consume lots of energy.
3. Installation Cost
While it’s possible to install the mini-split, making multiple connections to the compressor unit outside requires a technician. Hiring one is expensive and adds to your total cost.
Summary
A ductless mini-split is the best option for small rooms in your home or office. However, you must pick the right capacity for each room. The good news is, one compressor can connect to 3 or 4 mini-splits in your home. These systems come with plenty of advantages like flexibility and easy installation.
But there are some disadvantages to consider, like high pricing and limited capacity determined by room size. However, you don’t have to worry about the installation process because our experts from [company name] can do it for you.
We also offer compressor installation, mini-split servicing and maintenance, and other technical support services like Wi-Fi installation. If you’re ready to install mini-splits in your Tucson, AZ home, contact us today.
