What is a Ductless Air Conditioner?

A ductless air conditioner cools (or heats) your home without the use of ducting. The mounted units don’t take up as much space on the floor as a portable air conditioner or as much space as a window unit. They’re also known as mini-splits because they’re much smaller than split systems, which are standard central air conditioning systems.

What Are Ductless Air Conditioners and How Do They Work?

Heat pumps that can chill and heat a room, garage, or small apartment are the most common mini-split systems. A heat pump basically moves hot air from one location to another.

Like its bigger traditional predecessor, a ductless air conditioner has two primary components:

An indoor air-handling unit; an outside compressor/condenser.

A conduit connects the outdoor and indoor units and houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tube, and condensation drain. A hole in the wall allows the conduit to pass through.

The Different Types of Ductless Air Conditioners

Mini-splits are divided into three categories.

Mounted on the Wall

The most prevalent type of mini-split air conditioning system is wall-mounted. The airflow is pushed out and down by the motorized vanes at the bottom of the unit. This technique is most effective for cooling a single room.

Recessed ceiling

A mini-split recessed into the ceiling, also known as a cassette, is perfect for large rooms or open floor plans. It simultaneously sends air in four directions. This sort of unit requires 10 inches of clearance above the ceiling.

Floor-standing

At the bottom of the wall, towards the floor, a floor-mounted mini-split is fitted. Rather than it being anchored to the floor, it’s anchored to the wall. It is designed to direct airflow toward the ceiling. Its comfortable floor-level location makes it easier to clean, maintain, and operate with or without a remote control.

When deciding on a ductless air conditioner, there are a few things to think about.

Consider the size of the space, where the airflow is required, and the unit’s energy efficiency while looking for a ductless air conditioning system.

The capacity is correct.

The capacity of the unit is measured in British thermal units (Btu).

For areas up to 450 square feet, 9,000 Btu is recommended.

For areas ranging from 400 to 650 square feet, 12,000 Btu is recommended.

18,000 BTU for 600 to 1,000 square foot spaces

For areas ranging from 800 to 1,300 square feet, 24,000 Btu is recommended.

For regions of 1,500 to 2,000 square feet, 30,000 Btu is recommended.

For areas of 2,000 square feet or more, 36,000 Btu is recommended.

Energy-Efficiency

There are two key criteria to be aware of when it comes to energy efficiency. The higher the number, the more energy-efficient the system is.

Mini-splits must have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 15 or above, according to the US Department of Energy. SEER values of 20 and 25 will be found in Energy Star systems.

It is preferable to have a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) of 8 to 10. If the HSPF is 8.2 or greater, Energy Star will grant a label.

Ductless air conditioners have a number of advantages.

The following are some of the criteria that make a mini-split an excellent choice:

Temperature control in each room. Individual rooms can be zoned or cooled, and heated using the mini-split system. If you have someone who wants to sleep in the cold while the rest of the house is kept at a constant 78 degrees Fahrenheit thanks to the central air conditioner, a ductless air conditioner can keep their room cool without racking up the electric cost for the entire house.

Efficiency. Traditional window or through-the-wall air conditioners use 30% more energy than mini-splits.

The size is small. Indoor units are typically seven inches deep with flat fronts, making them less bulky than less effective window or swamp cooler air systems. The size of your mini-split is determined by the amount of room that has to be cooled.

It’s easy to do it yourself. The conduit for the connection between the outside and inside unit normally requires a three-inch hole. Many mini-split system manufacturers provide different lengths of connecting conduit, allowing the outdoor unit to be placed up to 50 feet (on average) from the interior unit. It is necessary to cut the refrigerant pipe and then charge it. If you don’t feel comfortable doing so, you can handle the installation yourself and pay a professional to set up the refrigerant line.

Options for installation The indoor unit can be flush installed to a wall, suspended from a ceiling, or mounted to a drop ceiling.

They are controlled with a remote. If the system is mounted on the ceiling or in another difficult-to-reach location, it can be turned on and off without having to flip a switch.

Security. The mini-split system’s opening is small compared to a through-the-wall or window unit that can be removed, which poses a security risk.