12 Aug Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioners: Understanding the basics
What you need to know regarding ductless mini split air conditioners
Ductless mini split air conditioners are becoming a popular option among many homeowners to cool certain areas of the home such as an individual room or upstairs.
In 2020, many homeowners have made the decision to refinance their home and add on additional space or fix up areas such as their bonus room.
When expanding space, the mini split can offer many advantages for homeowners looking for cooling options.
They provide cooling solutions for one room, which are usually referred to as “zones.” In turn, each room will have its own temperature and control settings.
In many scenarios, they may be referred to as “mini splits” or “zoned HVAC.”
When it comes to advantages, a ductless mini split air conditioner offers size and flexibility when cooling a zone according to energy.gov,
In addition, they offer an easier installation and setup and save on energy because you don’t have to worry about air duct leaks.
How does a ductless mini split air conditioner work?
The units have two main parts:
- Outdoor compressor/condenser
- Indoor air-handling unit
The indoor unit is usually installed on a wall where a conduit connects the two main parts. The conduit is comprised of the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing and a condensation drain.
How does a ductless mini split air conditioner work?
In simplest terms, ductless mini split air conditioners work similar to normal air conditioning units, just without air ducts.
The units have two main parts:
- Outdoor compressor/condenser
- Indoor air-handling uniti
The indoor unit is usually installed on a wall where a conduit connects the two main parts. The conduit is comprised of the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing, and a condensation drain.
How much does a mini split cost?
Of course the cost to install a mini split air conditioner may vary, but it may range between $2,500 – $5,000.
The job does require a certain amount of experience and knowledge so hiring an HVAC contractor is essential when installing a new unit.
You’ll also want to be sure the zone you are installing it in is properly insulated for peak efficiency.
What size area will a mini split cool?
Understanding the square footage of your area or zone is key.
From 100 square feet to 1,500 square feet, the BTUs needed per hour will increase according the the space.
If you are cooling a smaller space around 200 square feet, then you may need a unit with 6,000 BTU capacity. On the other hand, a larger space such as an upstairs may be around 800 square feet or more and the unit may require a larger capacity such as 18,000 BTUs or more.
To understand BTUs more, visit this article about how BTU numbers are obtained and how HVAC unit size is determined.