If you’re looking for an efficient, effective way to keep your home comfortable throughout the year, you can’t go wrong with a ductless mini-split system. Because of the many benefits it provides, more homeowners are choosing to have one installed in their homes. To ensure it works efficiently, however, proper placement guidelines must be observed. Here our air conditioning replacement experts at Air Products & Services explain what you need to know.
How Does a Ductless Mini-Split System Work?
Also known as ductless heat pumps, ductless mini-split systems work like conventional heat pumps in that they provide both heating and cooling in your home. However, they don’t need ductwork to deliver air throughout your house, as they make use of at least one indoor air handler connected to an outdoor unit. These are similar to typical air ducts in how they provide adequate heating and cooling in the room where they’re installed.
A typical ductless mini-split system has an indoor unit, which is basically an air handler that houses the evaporator coil, air filter, multi-speed fan, condensate drainage and a few other electronic components. The entire unit can be installed on the ceiling or wall, or even mounted on the floor. It’s connected to the outdoor unit by a thin conduit that goes through a small hole in the wall, so it hardly affects your home’s interior. Just make sure that this is done by an AC repair and replacement technician to ensure successful installation.
Why Consider a Ductless Mini-Split System for Your Home?
Since a ductless mini-split system doesn’t need existing ductwork, you can easily install the air handler almost anywhere in your home. This includes hard-to-reach places and even older homes where air ducts can be difficult and costly to install. They’re also faster to put in compared to conventional HVAC systems, and you can choose to install one or several air handlers, depending on your needs and preferences.
Ductless mini-split systems can also improve your home’s energy efficiency. A typical central air conditioner loses around 30 percent of its conditioned air through leaks and cracks in the ductwork. This causes it to work twice as hard to make up for the energy loss, and it consumes more electricity in the process. This leads to higher monthly energy bills, as well as premature breakdowns. You won’t have this problem when you install a ductless mini-split system in your home, however.
Which Areas in Your Home Are Ideal for a Ductless Mini-Split System?
Due to their versatility, ductless mini-split units can be mounted in almost any area of your home. If you’re wondering how you can maximize their usage, here are some of the most common areas to consider:
- Basements – Some homes may not have ductwork installed in basements if they’re mainly used as a utility room or for additional storage. If you decide to remodel your basement into a living area, you’ll need to add ventilation to ensure proper indoor air quality and comfort. Conventional HVAC systems may require ductwork to be installed and can add to your renovation costs. A more affordable alternative is to have a ductless mini-split system installed by an air conditioning replacement contractor, as it can achieve the same results without making you go over budget.
- Room additions – If you recently had a room addition built onto your home, your existing ductwork may not be able to accommodate the additional space. Installing extra ductwork and switching to a bigger HVAC unit can be expensive, but with a ductless mini-split system you won’t have to do this. Your room addition can have a standalone heating and cooling system without having to rely on your home’s main HVAC system.
- Bedrooms – Even if you already have a central HVAC system and ductwork running through your bedroom, it doesn’t hurt to have an additional option that can accommodate your comfort preferences. You can have a trusted AC repair contractor install a ductless mini-split system to serve as an auxiliary HVAC system and provide additional comfort when you don’t want to use your central air conditioner. This will also help you achieve ideal temperatures in your bedroom without disrupting the comfort of the rest of your family.
Helpful Placement Tips for Ductless Mini-Split Units
Ductless mini-split units deliver cooled air to your rooms straight from the outdoor unit with no losses along the way. The air handlers also consume much less energy compared to central HVAC systems, which means bigger energy savings for your home in the long run. To ensure the proper placement of your system, we’ve shared a few helpful tips below.
- Make sure that your indoor unit is installed on an exterior wall. There should also be at least two inches of accessible space above each indoor unit to ensure proper ventilation and comfort in the living space.
- Consider how many indoor units are needed in your home. Depending on your needs, you may want to install a couple of indoor units in rooms that are otherwise hard to heat or cool by a normal HVAC system. To determine the amount of conditioned air needed for your home’s comfort, you can always consult your trusted AC troubleshooting system technician.
- Make sure you place the outdoor unit in an area with a lot of shade.Whether it’s mounted to a wall or placed close to your home’s exterior, your outdoor unit should be situated somewhere out of the path of direct sunlight, preferably on the side of or behind your house so that it won’t interfere with your home’s aesthetics. To ensure seamless airflow, don’t place it near foliage or vegetation.
- Be certain to mount the outdoor unit securely. If you’re planning to mount your outdoor unit, make sure that you use stand-off mounting brackets on a sturdy outside wall. There should be at least five inches of space between the wall and the unit, as well as around 20 inches of space above it.
Air Products & Services is a reputable AC troubleshooting system contractor that you can always rely on for your HVAC needs. Our experienced technicians have successfully worked on virtually every make and model, making us a reliable source for your indoor comfort. We strive to go above and beyond to find the ideal comfort solution for you and your family
Call us today at (818) 989-2030 or submit an online form to schedule an appointment. We serve homeowners in and around Tarzana, CA.