Traditional air conditioning systems are considered “central split” systems since the equipment resides both inside and outside the home. A ductless “mini-split” system works more efficiently, though, by separating the air handler and condenser. As in a traditional system, the condenser is outdoors; however, the air handler is mounted inside the home. When central forced-air systems aren’t workable or cost-effective, ductless mini-split systems are a great alternative.
There are three primary components to a ductless mini-split system, including:
- The outdoor condensing unit
- The indoor air handler/evaporator
- A three to four-inch diameter conduit with refrigerant tubing, a cable for power, and the condensate drain.
The condenser and conduit are run from the outdoor unit to one or more wall-mounted units inside your home, allowing you to control the temperature in different rooms or areas.
What Makes Mini-Split Air Conditioning So Efficient?
The ductwork in a central system delivers cool air to various rooms or “zones.” There’s energy loss, though – up to 40%. With a ductless mini-split system, the loss is only around one to five percent, meaning you save about half your cooling and heating costs. Ductless systems consume 2,000 to 2,500 total watts on average, while each component of a central system uses approximately 2,000 watts — 4,000 in total. Moreover, the majority of ductless systems are capable of achieving a SEER rating of 30.5 and are ENERGY STAR-qualified. In contrast, a traditional central system typically has a SEER rating of 20 at most.
Give Collins Comfort Masters a call today to schedule your FREE in-home mini split estimate.