Home Care+Repair

Fix it, maintain it, improve it.

- Brad Holden

 

Mini-split systems

What is a mini-split?

Mini-split systems are A/C and heating units that are increasingly popular, mainly because most installations don’t require ductwork. Similar to conventional HVAC systems, mini-splits have an outdoor condenser and one or more air handlers inside. They’re somewhat like a window A/C unit split in half—hence the name.

How does a mini-split work?

Like a conventional A/C unit, a mini-split uses copper tubing to carry the refrigerant from the outdoor unit, which contains the compressor and condenser, to the indoor air handler. But with a mini-split, the conditioned air blows directly out of the indoor air handler into the room, rather than being routed through ductwork. A typical compressor can run four or five air handlers, which are mounted in different zones (or rooms) throughout the house. The indoor units can be mounted on the wall, floor or ceiling.

In the winter, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside (because the refrigerant is far colder than the air) and carries it to the air handlers. In the summer, the refrigerant absorbs heat from inside the house, carrying it out to cool the house.

Will a mini-split work for you?

A mini-split is a viable option for a house with no existing ductwork, such as one with a boiler and radiators. You won’t have to install ductwork, which can be both expensive and difficult to accommodate. A mini-split can also be a good choice for a large house with rooms that don’t get used often. Rooms that aren’t served well by existing forced-air systems also make good candidates.