Ductless ACs (also known as mini-split ACs) work pretty efficiently if we do say so ourselves!
Also known as a mini-split system, a ductless air conditioner can be a quick and easy solution to immediately cool a room when it’s hot outside and heat it when it’s a little colder.
These devices work to provide a sense of comfort in areas where a traditional ducted air conditioner cannot. For example, they’re ideal if you’re converting an unconventional space into a bedroom such as your attic or a basement, or if you simply want to add a boost to a room that is either too hot or cold year-round.
Ductless air conditioners are sought after as they are the most versatile and easiest systems to install in the home to yield such effective results.
If you want to know more about how these systems work, what they are comprised of, and why you may need one in your home, this article will act as the perfect guide!
How A Ductless Air Conditioner Works
Many ductless air conditioners operate much like a typical air conditioning system but instead of delivering cold air to an entire building through air ducts, a ductless air conditioner only blows cooled air directly into a single living space — without the ducts.
Simply put, the difference between them is how they deliver cool air.
A ductless air conditioner features an outdoor and indoor unit connected via electrical wiring and refrigerant tubing. The indoor AC unit is often wall-mounted, delivering cooled or heated air straight into a room. This is often referred to as a single-zone system, and it’s pretty self-explanatory as to why!
A lot of these AC systems are heat pumps that can heat and cool a room, small apartment, or even a garage. Essentially, a heat pump will transfer hot air from one place to another — usually in a small space that needs a temperature change.
The Components Of A Ductless Air Conditioner
There are three main components of a ductless air conditioner, which are:
- Blower/evaporator unit which is the indoor unit that sits on the wall in the room that the AC unit is serving. They are quite thin and around 3’ in length and work by taking in warm air from the room, absorbing moisture and heat from the air, and blowing the air back out.
- A conduit is used to connect the indoor and outdoor units, providing them both with electrical power. It is essentially a long, thin cable that is home to refrigerant rubbing, a condensate drain, and a power cable. It usually sits through a hole in the wall.
- A condenser is an outside unit that received the heat from your home and pushes it into the air outdoors.
Types Of Ductless Air Conditioner Systems
In addition to knowing the components of a ductless air conditioner, you also need to know about the available different types available:
Ceiling Recessed
Also known as a cassette, this type of ductless air conditioner moves air in four different directions all at once. It is most ideal for open floor plans or larger rooms and requires around 10 inches of total clearance above the ceiling to be fitted out of sight.
Floor Mounted
This is usually anchored at the bottom of a wall just a few inches from the floor. It works to direct airflow towards the ceiling and can be kept clean, accessed when necessary, and operated without much of an issue.
Wall Mounted
A wall-mounted ductless air conditioner is usually mounted to the wall. It’s best suited to cool a single room down due to the motorized vanes that push airflow out and then down.
Single And Multi-Zone Systems
A ductless air conditioning system can be configured with one or multiple different units that are powered by an exterior compressor. We will talk through the different types of zone systems available.
Single Zone
Ductless air conditioners can be installed so one indoor unit directly corresponds to an outdoor compressor. This carries power and refrigerant to the inside unit via a pipe that usually runs through a smaller opening. It is easy to install in your home.
Multi-Zone
A single outdoor compressor can power up to four or five indoor units. These can each be operated using a wireless remote which increases the options you have to ensure your comfort. After installing two indoor units, you have the chance to add more units to the compressor in the future.
Pros And Cons Of A Ductless Air Conditioner
Pros
- These AC units provide in-built “zoning” for your home, making it easier to control the room temperature
- Easy installation
- No indoor wiring required
- Cost-effective as you don’t have to worry about fixing AC duct leaks
- Efficient cooling system for converted spaces or normal rooms
- Preserves integrity of older built homes
Cons
- The total installation cost for these AC systems is typically much higher than a traditional ducted AC system. Though you may save money on utility costs over time, installing a ductless air conditioner bypasses the total expense of installing ducts in your home.
- Ductless air conditioners are wall-mounted and are difficult to hide within a room. A good thing about them is they are usually pretty sleek in appearance and design, which means it won’t be too much of a distraction within the chosen room.
Main Benefits Of A Ductless Air Conditioner
Minimal Installation Requirements
Not having to install ducts means there are no additional processes required. Installing one of these systems only requires you to make a small hole in a wall to connect the indoor unit to the outside compressor unit. There is also no need for additional indoor wiring as the compressor unit provides some power to the indoor unit.
They Are Quiet
The best types of AC are the ones that are quiet yet effective. This means you can appreciate what they are doing for your space (that is, providing you with cool air) without suffering through the distraction of mechanical whirring.
For Allergy Control
Ductless air conditioners provide quality, clean air to the rooms where they are installed. If circulation occurs in a smaller space there will be less cross-contamination in the air in different rooms.
Why You Should Choose A Ductless Air Conditioner
There are a few key reasons why you should choose this type of air conditioning system in your home.
Not only will it save you money, but it can also improve the air quality in places where having ducts isn’t an option. It’s perfect for unconventional bedrooms — that is, rooms that have been converted — including garages, attics, and basements that keep temperatures at a comfortable level.
They’re also great for only heating rooms that are in use which saves you some money on energy bills in the long run. If you have an older home that is heated by a boiler, the cooling and heating system of a ductless air conditioner can maintain interior temperatures all year round.
Summary
If you’re thinking that a ductless air conditioning system is too good to be true, you couldn’t be more wrong!
Installing a ductless air conditioner is an easy and highly efficient way of keeping a room in your home cool. If you’re also looking for a way to purify the air in your home, the air filter of a ductless air conditioner will be a perfect choice!
As it is not produced by a fuel-burning device, this type of system doesn’t produce carbon monoxide making it a very safe addition to your home.
