Charles Walker
Air conditioning is one of the vital components of modern homes and commercial spaces. Mini split systems will help you! So, how do mini splits work? It is hard to imagine a hot summer day without a pleasant breeze of cool air coming from an AC system. Not all buildings have air ducts, which are required to install a traditional central AC system. This is where mini-split systems come into play. In this article, we are going to discuss everything you need to know about these systems. You will learn how mini AC split works and learn about upsides and downsides of these devices. Hopefully, this information will help you find the best mini split system. Let’s start!
How Do Split AC Systems Work?
Component parts
Traditional split systems consist of two main units: an outdoor and an indoor unit. The outdoor unit comprises a compressor and a condenser. The indoor unit contains an evaporator, a blower, and a control panel. There are other elements, but we will skip them to make the description as simple as possible. The two units are connected with each other via specialized tubing.
Operation
Here is a generalized scheme of how mini-splits work. Warm indoor air gets sucked into the unit. As it travels along with the system, it cools down by coming in contact with a refrigerant (Freon). The refrigerant absorbs the energy from the air, cools it down and while doing so turns from liquid into gas. Once the air has cooled down to a certain temperature it gets sent back into the room. In the meantime, the compressor turns Freon back into the initial state (liquid). Then it is ready to absorb more energy and cool more air. Cycles repeat one after another, gradually reducing the temperature indoors. The built-in thermostat maintains the temperature at the level you have chosen. In such a way you can establish a comfortable microclimate in the apartment or office within minutes.
Modern split systems also have built-in filters. They help make the air not only cooler but cleaner. More advanced models feature ionizers.
Installation
Mini-split systems are relatively easy to install. They don’t require altering the existing constructions or ductwork. To incorporate a split AC system into your apartment or office you will have to hire professionals. The installation will not take a lot of time but can be quite costly.
Control
All mini-splits feature remote controls. It is very convenient since in most cases they are mounted right under the ceiling. Control is very straightforward. It allows you to set the temperature, adjust the direction of airflow or switch the unit to a heating mode.
How Does Heating and Cooling Work?
If you need a versatile heat-and-cool unit, mini-split is the right choice. We have already gotten it straight with the cooling technology. Simply put, the system takes hot air from inside and transfers it outside. But how does it work in reverse? Actually, it is pretty simple. The system generates heat from the outdoor environment and conducts it inside the building. Cooling agent in a condenser gets really cold, much colder than the surrounding air. It extracts the energy from the air and transfers it into the room. Amazing, isn’t it? Even if it’s freezing outside, a mini-split can heat up your space. However, not all systems can work at such low temperatures. You should always check the system specifications beforehand.
What is a split-system heat pump?
Many people use heat pumps as an alternative to furnaces and radiators. Heat pumps use the energy of the outdoor air to generate heat. Traditional heat pumps use ductwork to convey heated air from the compressor unit into the building. A split-system heat pump does not require ductwork. It is much simpler and more efficient.
How Do Multi-Zone Mini-Splits Work?
A simple two-unit split system is great for small undivided spaces. But that does not mean you cannot use ductless AC systems in large spaces or buildings with several rooms. In fact, you can connect up to 8 indoor units to a single outdoor unit. For instance, if you have a one-bedroom studio, you can get a dual-zone split air conditioner. Each indoor unit has separate controls and operates independently. Indoor units connect to the compressor unit via tubing.
How many ductless units do I need?
It all depends on the cubic footage of your apartment or office and the number of rooms. AC system wattage also matters. There are online calculators that can help you determine the optimal number of units. Professional installers can also advise you on that.
Pros and Cons of Multi-Split AC Systems
Whole house ductless air conditioning systems are becoming increasingly popular. There are several good reasons for that. Perhaps, the main advantage of multi-splits is flexibility. Such systems can be incorporated into any building, regardless of the availability of air ducts. Central AC systems provide air conditioning to the whole building at once. Cool air travels along the complicated maze of ductwork to reach its destination. A central thermostat regulates the temperature in the whole building. If some rooms are not in use or require different temperature, it does not matter. Multi-split systems offer more flexibility and comfort.
Other advantages of multi-split AC systems:
- ease of use, installation, and de-installation,
- do not require constructional alterations,
- straightforward control,
- energy efficiency.
- easy to clean and maintain,
- advanced filtration systems.
Disadvantages
- High upfront costs. It is more costly to install a multi-split system than to incorporate a packaged heating and air conditioning system into the existing ductwork.
- Each unit requires professional installation and service. More units means more chances that something will fail.
- Indoor units are always exposed. If you don’t like the way they look, there is nothing you can do about it.
Another downside of all AC systems is that they all make the air dry. Especially in winter, when they are used for heating. Dry air is not very good for us, therefore, we should humidify it. There are multiple ways how to increase humidity in a room. You should learn about them and choose the most appropriate one.
Conclusion
Mini-splits and multi-split systems are efficient, flexible and simple air conditioning solutions. They may have some downsides, but in many cases, their advantages mitigate the drawbacks. The best split AC systems can create a perfect microclimate in your home or office. So next time, when you wonder, for instance, how to keep garage cool in summer, you will know the answer.
I like how you used the word microclimate to describe what a split system does. I live in a state where the winters are very harsh yet the summers are also grueling. I think I would need to get a split system installed in my home instead of getting both an AC and a heater.
Now that the hotter seasons are rolling in, my wife and I have been looking for alternate AC units that we can replace our current ones with. I like how you enumerated that Multi-split type AC units are both energy efficient and easy to control using the thermostat because while we want to have some cooling for our house, we also want to maintain a good energy usage rating and control how often we use the unit as much as possible. I’ll be taking your article into account and showing these types of AC units to my wife so we can look for a home cooling contractor to help us out. Thank you!