Welcome to SouthMiniSplits Frequently Asked Questions page. Here you can find answers to the most popular questions about mini-splits system. Many people still don’t know much about this efficient and cost-effective technology.
Mini-splits are heating and cooling systems that allow you to control the temperatures in individual rooms or spaces. With two main components — an outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air-handling unit they are easy to install and don't require a complex, expensive ductwork.
The Energy Efficiently Rating (EER) is determined by The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration that equals the ration of cooling capacity in BTUs to the power input in watts. This rating determines the state of the air conditioner when it is up and running. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) is commonly used to measure central and ductless air conditioning. Higher energy efficiency equates to lower electrical bills. All air conditioners must have a SEER rating of at least 13 to be sold in the United States.
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, this unit of measure is used to measure cooling or heating capacity; 1 BTU is the amount of heat required to raise (or lower) the temperature of 1 pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit.
It is not recommended because you will lose warranty. The installation should be done by a professional license technician.
Like choosing any air conditioner you need to know how many BTUs you need to cool the area you are trying to cool. You also need to consider the number of zones (air handles) you need – normally one air handler per room is what you would need but, if your home has open areas you may be able to cool multiple rooms with one indoor air handler.There are many options and types of indoor units – some are mounted on the walls and some can be mounted in the ceiling and some can be mounted on the floor.
A heat pump function is similar to an air conditioner however instead of cooling the air like it would in the summer it heats the air and redistributes it into the room. It often will not work when it is colder than 0 degrees outside but, most ductless heat pump units heat at 100% capacity at 15 degrees. If heat is very important to you an electric wall-mount heater could be added to your room.
All air conditioners will make some sort of noise however the ductless air conditioners have been engineered to be quieter than other units. Mini split air conditioners are the most quiet since the compressor sits outside and indoor unit designed with a noise levels as low as 28 dB, which is comparable to a light breeze.
Like conventional HVAC systems, the ductless mini split system locates the noisy compressor and condenser outside the house. But ductless mini split system eliminates the need for a basement- or attic-located evaporator unit and bulky ductwork by using thin copper tubing that pumps refrigerant directly to discreet wall mounted blowers inside. Even more remarkable, this same unit works in reverse in winter, absorbing heat from the outside air and moving it indoors to heat your home. The result – efficient cooling and heating for year-round, whole-house comfort in most climates.
Duct systems account for up to 30-50 percent of energy lost in the cooling process. With a central air conditioner, this is a problem you may face, especially if your ducts require sealing. By eliminating ducts altogether, a ductless AC unit can save you up to 30-50 percent on your cooling costs immediately! Ductless AC units also use high-efficiency components to further conserve energy when cooling your home.
The good thing about mini splits is that they can be used for the heating or cooling of the whole house or just some parts of it. They can be purposely installed in order to best fit your needs. Individual units should be installed for different areas, but they all connect to a single outside condenser.
When adequately maintained, it's estimated that most mini split ductless air conditioners last for about 20 years. This is far beyond the 12 to 15 years that most conventional systems last, so it's fairly safe to assume that your mini split system will last longer than most other options.
You can select only one mode at a time: Cooling, Heating, Dry or Fan.
Some models, like slim ducts and ceiling cassettes, are capable of bringing fresh air indoors with additional accessories. Most systems cool a room by pushing unwanted heat out.
Mini splits remove moisture in cooling mode. If you only want to remove humidity, without cooling a space, you can use “Dry Mode”.
