Top 5 Uses for Ductless Mini Splits

April 4th, 2018 Posted in Ductless Mini-Split Systems
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An energy efficient option for air conditioning small spaces is the ductless mini split. These compact A/C units can be added without a duct system to keep areas cool without hooking into a central system. Here are five of the top uses for these efficient A/C options – you may find a use for one in your home or business.

  1. Have a garage or workshop that gets hot in the summer months? Add a mini split that you can use when spending time on projects in your garage or man cave.
  2. Spare rooms. Why spend money to keep a spare room cool when you aren’t using it? Add a ductless mini split that can be used on an as-needed basis.
  3. Main rooms. If you have one room in the house that you spend most of your time, a mini split can save on energy costs by only cooling that one room when the rest of the house is not being utilized. Living rooms or bedrooms are common areas that mini splits are added.
  4. Do you have outbuildings like a barn or utility shed that you spend time in during the summer? Mini splits are great for cooling these smaller buildings without a large expenditure in installation or energy.
  5. Home office. Many people add on a home office to their home that may not be connected to the central air system. A ductless mini split is perfect for any addition to your home.

To learn more about how much ductless mini ducts cost to install and more information on these efficient units, call your local HVAC service company that offers mini split installations.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
Buford, GA 30519
(770) 475-952

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Alternatives to Traditional HVAC Systems

September 28th, 2014 Posted in Ductless Mini-Split Systems
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Split system air conditioning systems using a compressor / condenser unit and an indoor unit are one of the most cost effective means to cool any commercial or residential space.  Traditionally with these systems, cool air is distributed into the areas being cooled thru strategically located ductwork.  Now it is possible to air condition spaces easier and cheaper by using a ductless mini-split system, which completely eliminates the need for any ductwork.  This results in lower costs! 

This system has a small inside unit, which is located on an interior face of a perimeter wall, with the compressor / condensing unit being located in the same area on the exterior of the home.  The outdoor unit is either mounted on the floor or mounted on the wall, with all connections of refrigerant lines, condensation drains and power feeds between the indoor and outdoor units being made thru a single hole approximately 3” in diameter.  These systems come in a variety of sizes with the systems being made by a variety of international companies, including LG and Mitsubishi.  These types of systems are very popular in Asia, where it is hot year around. 

There are a number of advantages to using these units including the ability to eliminate bulkheads required to conceal ductwork.  In addition, they are economical to operate, easy to install and give the property owner the ability to regulate the temperature of each room without the need to create expensive air conditioning zones with zone dampers.  Maintenance is straightforward with a periodic cleaning of the filters being required.

Posted on behalf of Find Local HVAC

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Mini Split Ductless Systems

August 10th, 2013 Posted in Central Air Conditioning
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Older homes, built more than 75 years ago, are a very popular option for homeowners looking for a great value combining price, house size and lot size.  Often these homes are in need of modernization to the mechanical systems, in order to incorporate the modern day comforts that homeowners demand.  One such comfort is air conditioning!  

In general these older homes will have a heating system based upon a boiler with radiators in each room, but they were built before air conditioning was used widespread.  Due to limitations in the house layout, ceiling heights and the structure, it is in many cases not feasible to incorporate a modern forced air heating and air conditioning system utilizing ductwork.  In the past, air conditioning in these types of homes was provided by a series of window mounted air conditioning units.  Today, homeowners have the option of utilizing a ductless mini-split air conditioning system, which can be easily and economically installed by a qualified HVAC contractor. 

Basically these systems incorporate an outdoor compressor and a small indoor air handler unit.  The indoor air handler is typically wall, ceiling or floor mounted, while the compressor unit is either placed on the ground or wall mounted.  The system can be zoned, utilizing multiple air handlers and thermostats operating off of a single compressor.  The manufacturers of these systems, which are very popular in Asia on new construction, include both LG and Mitsubishi.  In addition to being economical, these systems are easily installed by a qualified HVAC contractor and often only require a single 3” hole in the exterior wall of the home.  Speak with your HVAC contractor today and see if a mini split ductless system is a good choice for your home.

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Versatile Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump Systems

June 21st, 2012 Posted in HVAC Equipment
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Almost all heat pump systems (and most central air conditioning systems) used for residential heating and cooling are “split systems” that have an outdoor compressor/condenser unit and an indoor air handler/evaporator connected to the ductwork.  Refrigerant lines run between these two major components which warm or cool the air as needed.  The conditioned air is distributed throughout the home by the ductwork.

In a home that was built without ductwork, installing a standard heat pump can be a problem.  Running the ductwork in a home built without ducts can be very difficult and expensive.  However, these homes were often built with some type of electric radiant heating system such as a floor heater that can be expensive to operate.

Ductless mini-split heat pumps offer a solution for converting to an energy efficient heat pump without the hassle and expense of installing ductwork.  Ductless mini split systems are also great for heating and cooling room additions where extending the duct system is impractical or undesirable.

A ductless mini-split system consists of an outdoor compressor/condenser unit connected to one or more indoor air handlers located in each room.  No ductwork is needed for a mini-split system and by eliminating the air losses associated with ductwork, a mini-split system can operate more efficiently than a traditional heat pump system.  It also offers the versatility of being able to adjust the climate controls separately in each room.

The primary drawbacks to mini-split systems are the relatively high cost and the space required for the air handler in each room.  However, they can be an excellent energy efficient heating and cooling system for homes without ductwork already in place.

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Installing Central Air Conditioning

April 25th, 2012 Posted in Central Air Conditioning
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Central air conditioning systems are much more efficient and provide better comfort than window air conditions.  However, installing a central air conditioning system in an existing home may present a challenge depending on how the home is currently configured.  If you have decided to take the plunge and replace your window air conditioners with a central air conditioning system, your HVAC contractor will likely offer you a choice of a traditional split system central air conditioner or a ductless mini split system.

A traditional split system central air conditioner is a good choice for a home that already has a duct system installed for the furnace.  With a traditional split system, the compressor unit sits outside the home and the evaporator coils are installed in the air handler near the furnace.

The existing distribution and return ducts are used to distribute the conditioned air and to circulate the air throughout the home.  One concern to using the existing duct system is that it may be improperly sized for the air conditioning system.  The duct system must be matched to the air conditioner in order to maximize efficiency.  Replacing existing ductwork can be very expensive, but in some cases your HVAC contractor may be able to improve the energy efficiency of the home which would allow the use of a smaller air conditioner that is better matched to the existing ductwork.

If the home does not have a duct system, installation of a duct system is usually cost prohibitive and a ductless mini split system is a good alternative.  These systems use an externally mounted compressor connected to separate air handlers mounted in each room.  With a mini split system there is no ductwork to run and each air handler can be sized appropriately.  A separate thermostat in each room provides excellent flexibility and efficiency.

 

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Advantages of a Ductless Mini Split System

December 6th, 2011 Posted in HVAC Equipment
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A ductless mini split heating and cooling system is an alternative to a traditional split system that can be the perfect solution in certain situations.  A traditional split system heat pump or air conditioner has an outdoor condenser hooked to an air handler inside the home.  The air handler distributes the heated or cooled air throughout the home through a network of ducts.

A ductless mini split system works exactly like a conventional split system except that instead of a network of ducts, there is an air handler in each room that delivers the conditioned air to that room.  Each air handler is connected to the condenser by a line set for the refrigerant and has its own thermostat.

These systems are an excellent alternative for retrofits to homes and buildings that did not have a central heating and cooling system installed and lack the space needed to install a duct system.  There is no ductwork involved with a mini split system.  The air handler simply mounts on the wall and delivers conditioned air directly to the room.  They also work well in homes that would benefit from zoned heating and cooling.  Since each air handler is controlled by its own thermostat, the temperature and humidity in each area of the home is easily controlled.

Homes with finished attics, basements, additions, and bonus rooms over the garage are often great candidates for zoned heating and cooling and ductless mini split systems make zoning for these applications a breeze.    Your HVAC contractor can help you decide if a ductless mini split system is good solution for your HVAC needs.

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