Installing a mini-split AC system can be a great investment, especially if you currently use window and/or portable air conditioners to try and stay cool. The popularity of mini-split ACs has grown rapidly over recent years, as they are highly efficient and can provide extremely effective cooling. Nonetheless, this type of system may not be right for everyone. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you understand all you need to know about mini-split ACs so you can determine if one is a good option for your house.
What Is a Mini-Split AC System?
The majority of air conditioning systems are split systems. The term split system refers to the fact that there is both an outdoor component and an indoor component. The outdoor component is the AC condenser, which is where the compressor and condenser coil are located. The condenser unit also has a fan that continually draws in air when the system is running. The indoor component of a split system is the air handler, which is where the evaporator coil and blower are located.
Mini-split systems also have indoor and outdoor components. The difference is that a central AC has one large air handler that circulates air throughout the house via the ductwork. However, mini-split systems have one or more smaller wall-mounted air handlers that just circulate the air in the surrounding space. That means a mini-split takes up much less room, as it doesn’t require ductwork to transport air.
A single-zone mini-split system with just one air handler is an ideal solution for cooling a garage, shed or other outbuilding. Single-zone systems are also a great choice for additions or any room that needs supplementary air conditioning. With a multi-zone system, you could potentially have an air handler in every room to cool your entire house.
One other essential thing to note about mini-splits is that the outdoor unit in most systems is a heat pump instead of just a standard AC condenser. That means you can also switch the unit to heating mode during the winter to help keep your house warm.
How Mini-Split ACs Are Installed
One great thing about a mini-split system is that it’s usually quite a bit easier and involves less work to install compared to a central AC system. Once the technicians have mounted the outdoor unit, they then just need to cut holes in the exterior walls to connect the outdoor unit to the air handlers.
These holes are used to run a conduit that contains the electrical wiring and the refrigerant lines. The condensate line is also run through the hole so that the water that collects inside the air handler drains straight outside.
It’s often possible to mount an air handler on an interior wall if desired, but it requires more work. The refrigerant lines for the conduit will still need to enter the house through a hole in an exterior wall and then run through the ceiling or interior walls to the air handler. You’ll also typically need a condensate pump for each air handler to allow it to drain outside.
Advantages of Mini-Splits vs. Central Air Conditioning
More and more homeowners are choosing to install mini-split AC systems due to the advantages that they can have over central AC. One major advantage is that you can find mini-splits with far higher energy-efficiency ratings than even top-of-the-line central air conditioners.
One reason that mini-splits are more efficient is that it takes less energy for an air handler to just circulate air throughout the room it’s in. That is in comparison to a central air handler to circulate air throughout the house through the ductwork system. Central AC systems also cool less efficiently and waste more energy as a result of the heat gain that the cooled air experiences as it travels through the ductwork.
Another reason that mini-splits tend to use much less energy is that you can control each air handler independently. For bedrooms or other areas of the house you don’t use during the day, you can just turn the air handlers off or the temperature up to save energy. The fact that each air handler is independent also gives you greater control over the temperature in each room instead of just having to set one temperature for the entire house. It also ensures that you encounter far fewer issues with hot and cold spots than you often will with central AC.
Installing a mini-split system is an especially good choice if your house doesn’t have central HVAC. Trying to retrofit a house that doesn’t have ductwork with central air conditioning is impractical due to the amount of work and cost involved with installing the necessary ducts. In many cases, it’s not even possible due to a lack of space to run the ductwork.
Opting for a mini-split system when putting an addition onto your house is also almost always going to be the most cost-effective way to go. One reason is that you don’t have the added cost of running new ductwork to the addition and connecting it to your central HVAC system. The other reason is that you’ll usually need to replace your existing AC with a larger unit whenever you increase the size of your house.
Mini-Split Limitations or Drawbacks
While mini-split ACs do have their advantages, there are also some drawbacks and limitations you should be aware of when trying to decide if this type of system is right for your home. If you’re considering switching from central AC to a mini-split system, you should understand that a mini-split will typically cost quite a bit more than you’d pay to just replace your central AC. One reason that mini-splits cost more is that you have to pay for multiple air handlers. While mini-split installation is relatively simple, you also have to factor in the added time and materials to connect each air handler.
Another issue you can encounter when trying to cool a larger room with a mini-split is uneven air distribution. The air handler will effectively cool the closer parts of the room, but the areas further away from it may not get as cool as you want. At the same time, you may feel too cold when sitting directly in front of the air handler due to it blowing cold air directly at you.
Mini-splits also have space limitations in terms of the total area that they can cool and the maximum distance between the air handlers and the outdoor unit. For a larger house, you’ll need to install more than one system. If any air handler is too far away from the outdoor unit, it won’t be able to cool effectively and will also lead to a drop in energy efficiency.
If you plan on using your mini-split system to heat your house, you should also know that it won’t work all that well in extremely cold temperatures. It will usually work just fine as long as the temperature outside is above freezing, but the amount of heat it can produce will continually decrease as the temperature outside drops.
One final thing to consider is aesthetics. Wall-mounted mini-split air handlers are somewhat bulky and can be visually unappealing to some people. You sometimes have the option to recess the air handler in the ceiling so all you see is the vent, but this can create issues with decreased performance and uneven temperature distribution.
Contact Us Today
With nearly 30 years of experience, John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical is the company to rely on for your cooling and heating needs. We provide expert HVAC services to customers throughout Lincoln, Omaha, and the surrounding areas and are ready to help keep your home and family comfortable all year long. To learn more about the mini-split AC systems we offer or get help deciding if a mini-split is right for your home, call us today.
