Minisplit Ductless Heat Pumps Air Conditioners - There are many people who can actually save money by installing a mini-split ductless air conditioner or heat pump over installing the conventional ducted split system air conditioner or heat pump.

A few of the possible areas where some can use a mini-split ductless heat pump or air conditioner are rooms over the garage where additional heating and cooling is necessary simply because rooms over garages suffer because garages in most homes are not as insulated as is other parts of the home.

This usually creates problems with many of the newer homes because I have seen builders who need a lesson in load calculation and properly sizing the air conditioning or heat pump systems for the conditions.

Minisplit Ductless Heat Pumps Air Conditioners

Why Do I Need a MiniSplit Ductless Heat Pump or Air Conditioner?

I am sure many people will agree especially people who own homes where there is a room over the garage. How many of those people have supplemental heating and cooling by the way of a window unit or portable heater? Many people I would say from my observations over the years. Now, these people can benefit from the easy installation including lower installation costs of the mini-split ductless heat pump or air conditioner. Other places where mini-split ductless units can be considered for installation are additions to homes and basements where mini-split ductless units are great for dehumidification.

Minisplit Ductless Heat Pumps Air Conditioners  - How MiniSplit Ductless Air Conditioners Heat Pumps Work

The condenser at the top and the air handler is very quiet when operating

The mini-split ductless air conditioner or heat pump consists of a condenser and an air unit that is installed inside the conditioned space. The mini-split unit has a line set between the two units (condenser and air unit) just as a typical split system air conditioner or heat pump does, however, the difference is mini-split ductless is without the ductwork need by the conventional air conditioner and heat pump system.

There are some mini-split ductless systems that have a single condenser that works with four different air units inside the structure. Many mini-split ductless systems are inverter-duty meaning the compressor inside the condenser will modulate according to the load of the air unit.

If the air unit inside needs extra capacity then the rotary compressor modulates to a higher RPM to help with the extra load. Mini-split ductless air conditioners or heat pumps are very efficient compared to conventional systems and they can be zoned easier than conventional ducted air conditioners or heat pumps.

The key when shopping for a mini-split air conditioner or heat pump is to ensure you get one that is inverter duty. Some manufacturers offer cheaper alternatives that are not inverter duty and these mini-split ductless air conditioners or heat pumps cost more to operate. No ductwork is required as the air unit hangs on a wall in the room where conditioning is needed.

Inverter Duty MiniSplit Ductless Compared to Conventional Split System Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

Mini-split ductless air conditioners and heat pumps work much the same way conventional air conditioners and heat pumps work. They use the process of refrigeration to heat and cool except unlike the conventional air conditioner or heat pump the typical ductless mini-split air conditioner and heat pump uses inverter duty compressors (most not all) to modulate the compressor along with the heating or cooling load.

In the conventional split system market, there is only one manufacturer producing inverter duty compressors in the split systems and that is Nordyne. Nordyne markets their inverter duty condensing units under such names as Westinghouse, Maytag, and Broan to name a few, and these non-conventional ducted split system air conditioner and heat pumps offer efficiency levels as high as 24 SEER which can match geothermal systems for efficiency except these systems do not need the drilling of wells or a large body of water to work.

These systems are air to air in the condenser and the evaporator so the cost to install these systems is less making inverter duty units the best to install even if they cost a little more than others upon installation. Despite the cost being a little higher upon installation the unit will cost less to operate over time and this is where the homeowner or business owner will save money. The savings will be realized in energy savings over time because inverter duty systems whether they are mini-split ductless or conventional ducted systems will save money in lower energy bills.

Minisplit Ductless Heat Pumps Air Conditioners

Minisplit Ductless Heat Pumps Air Conditioners

Technical Resource: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology