Everything You Need To Know About Mini Splits: How Ductless Heat Pumps Work + Top Benefits
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Published 2022-04-13
What is a ductless mini-split system?
A Ductless mini-split system is exactly what it sounds like—miniature versions of traditional ducted heating and cooling systems. They consist of two main components: an air handler (the indoor unit) which is mounted to a wall or in a ceiling, and a condenser, which is the outdoor unit. These two units are then connected with a refrigerant line set that goes through the exterior wall of your home or building. While mini-split systems do not need ductwork to operate, you will need separate indoor units for each zone or room of your home that you would like to heat and cool.
How do mini-split systems work?
Ductless mini split systems work through the power of heat exchanger coils, which move warm air from one location (the indoor air handling unit) to another (the outdoor unit). During the cold months of winter, a mini split system will pull in warm air from outside through the condenser and send it into the indoor unit, while during the hot summer months, the air handler will pull air out of the room and replace it with cooler air, providing your home with ice cold air conditioning.
Why choose a mini split over a traditional Central Air System?
There are a number of reasons why mini-splits are becoming a more popular choice for heating and cooling than traditional central air systems. Here are some of the top benefits of a ductless mini-split:
No ductwork: It's in the name! Many older homes have no ductwork, but this also makes mini spilts a great option for garages, additions, and outdoor buildings.
Cost effective (mini split systems tend to be much cheaper than central air units)
Easy and quick to install: Mini split systems are typically a breeze to install quickly in just about any location for your home. All it takes is connecting a tiny pipe from your indoor unit to your outdoor condenser. On the other hand, a central air unit requires more work including furnace removal, ductwork fabrication and installation, etc.
Energy efficient design: They are much more energy efficient than traditional systems, which can save you money on your energy bills. We have options up to 26 SEER On average, we see mini-split systems be 20-40% more efficient than ducted systems.
Versatility and options: Mini-splits provide many different options and configurations for your home. Indoor units can be mounted on your wall, ceiling, or even your floor, and each indoor unit can be different.
Improved air quality: With no ductwork for debris and dust to get trapped into, the air quality that comes out of your indoor units is fresh from outside, helping you breath better in your home.
Why size mini split system do you need for your home?
The size of mini split system you need for your home will depend on a few factors:
Climate of where you live, which can have a great effect on the seasonal energy efficiency ratio and seasonal performance factor
Sunlight that enters the home through windows
Insulation factor of your home
Size of your home.
If you'd like help in choosing the correct size unit, you can always contact us by calling 3603989400.
Final Thoughts on Ductless Mini-Split Systems
When searching for different cooling options or adding to you existing heating for your home, ductless mini-splits may be a great option for you! While there are many great central air cooling systems, ductless mini splits have many great benefits including they are cost effective, easy to install, their energy consumption is relatively low, and they can improve the air quality in your home compared to a ducted system.
If you are interested in learning more about installing a ductless mini-split, or you would like a free estimate, please contact us by giving us a call at (360) 398-9400. Our motto is "Your Comfort, Our Passion", and we can help you achieve that through a ductless mini-split. We look forward to helping you!
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For all of your HVAC needs in the Bellingham, WA area, Clean Air Heating & Cooling is here to help you!
Clean Air Heating And Cooling
callcleanair.com/
📍3620 Iron Gate Rd #119, Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 398-940
All Comments (21)
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3:10 mini splits don't typically get outside air indoors, they circulate indoor air. I only know of 2 models that can actually do this, the Daikin ururu sarara and the TCL c fresh, neither of which are sold in the US. Am I missing something?
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Thank you SOOOOOO much. This was exactly the education I needed.
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Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Very informative and concise/simple and structured presentation easy to understand even for a non-native English speaker like myself.
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I've had a Mitsubishi mini split system in my 1900 build home for two years now. Basically I'm happy with it, and the windows and doorways did give the installers quite a time. The one thing I would certainly change would be a floor unit in my LR instead of the wall mount - my feet are always cold in the winter. The indoor units really "disappear" after a few weeks, I don't even notice them. The outside units are extremely quiet. I like that I don't have to heat or cool rooms not being used. The cost can be a tad shocking depending on how many indoor units and outdoor units you need, Of course, everything is extra. Even though I had a company that was rated a Gold installer by Mitsubishi it was a mess that they had to come out and clean up and fix a lot of things on the outside. Make sure you watch what is being done.
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thank you so much for the information
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Great info, thanks for correcting the air in/out error in Q&A. Question: Do i understand you correctly that one can cool only the zones needed? For example turn on 3 zones and keep 2 zones off? What does that do the efficiency of the unit.
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Mitsubishi, king of mini splits....22SEER, just put one in my living room 15kBTU, Hi2 hyper heat...been using 5 different mitsus for years, save a fortune on heating and cooling...QUIET, efficient, reliable...
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Good video.
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Wow!! This is an amazing and thorough explanation and I wish you all serviced Denver!! Great job and thank you!!
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The unit neither brings outdoor air in, or sends indoor air out. You said it in the video. The split unit cycles the air in the room only.
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I'm a DIY'r and installed my own mini-split. I spent $800 for a 2 ton. Did all the installation myself and saved thousands with no problems. I don't recommend DIY unless you know what you are doing (it wasn't that difficult). Still, mini- splits are the most efficient ac and heating you can buy.
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Very helpful video. One question I have is can I connect 3 mini-heads to a one-zone unit. I understand if this was possible all 3 heads would run at the same temperature. Thanks.
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Great video! Do you have a similar video for a condo tower? How does the floor level you are on impact sizing eg 17th floor versus 3rd floor? We are in the PNW in Canada and never turn our heat on because it never cools below 20C in our apartment. We have many weeks over 30C due to internal heat gain. Also, how does orientation eg South West versus North East impact sizing? We have had 4 HVAC installers in and the price varied from $25k to $30k Cad for 1 outdoor and 3 indoor units. The BTUs recommended per room varied wildly. We do not know who to trust.
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Awesome video. Great job.
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How about Apartment building?. I need this for winter, I have loft very cold Winter or Summer is super cold. I need this. Your help, thank you
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How can they cover the comfortably entire house? I'm just thinking about doing this but even with a small unit but if I don't keep all the doors open they don't know how many I would have to have. On 800 sq ft . I would. Need a head on the other side of the building from the compressor. And then do you lose efficiency if you're running lines through a cold or heated attic to get to other rooms to put another head in? Or do you wrap All the way around the exterior which I think would look odd. And as far as comfort, don't you create some kind of wind chill effect when you're pushing hot air down because heat rises. Does the heat feel as warm when it's always blowing? I always thought that just using an air purifier in the house in the winter I feel chillier because the air is circulating not warmer. If I have limited space the area where I think it would have to go would be blowing right on top of me when sitting. Either cold or hot doesn't seem like it would be as comfortable because I'd be at the source where it would be hottest or coldest. And then the rooms further off without a head are going to feel hotter or cooler depending on the season, correct?
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1:25 what warm air is outside during the winter?
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I have 5 mini splits and we are having a debate whether the units operate independent of one another. Is one unit the brains of the other. I say no, but the other opinion is that my bedroom unit is priority because it is closest to the outside compressor. The reason it is thought that way is trial and error on his unit that will not work properly unless my bedroom unit in set in the same"mode". Whats the correct answer and why might the upstairs unit not run properly (or at all) unless i have mine set in the same mode? Thank you. Also i enjoyed your clear video.
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I can’t install a wall unit at the recommended 6 ft high into the wall. Would it be okay to install it in the 28 inch space between the floor and the bottom of a window? The room is 160 square feet. It also has a large ceiling fan to help distribute air.
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Up to 8? With one 240V circuit? The electric cable is installed outside as far as I understand, those units indoor also need an electric outlet?
