Before you install your new ductless air conditioner or switch out your old air conditioning system, it is very important to understand how ductless air conditioners work.

A ductless air conditioner is an individual room unit that is used with an outdoor compressor. The indoor part of the unit will contain evaporator coils which are cooled down using a refrigerant. The warm air from the room is absorbed by the coils. Then the refrigerant will transfer the inside heat to the outdoor unit.

Instead of using ductwork, a central indoor unit connected all over the building, the mini-split ductless system puts smaller units in every room that pulls out warm air and sends it back out as cold air. One popular alternative to traditional types of air conditioners, mini-splits will be less intrusive as an installation, and they blend in better with a room while still staying energy efficient.

You might be wondering how a little air conditioning unit is able to cool down a lot of the building. It is simple. The indoor unit network is connected to the outdoor compressor, which intakes all of the warm air from the building. Once this main unit is installed, you can choose from many different options for the indoor units like ceiling recessed, ceiling register, or floor mount to help blend in better with each room’s style.

Advantages of a ductless system

One of the main advantages of a ductless system over a traditional one is its easy installation. Buildings that do not have existing ductwork will need to install new ones, and this can be expensive and complicated. There are other advantages as well:

  • You will be able to control each room’s temperature individually
  • Mini-splits are able to operate using heat pumps which means you can heat up rooms as well as cool them down
  • They are energy-efficient since they do not use ducts. Ducts are responsible for 20 to 30 percent of energy loss
  • The inverter compressors are able to adjust to the system’s needs instead of shutting down the whole system
  • They are inconspicuous in a room as well as quiet

Disadvantages of having a ductless system

Not everything is great with using a ductless system. Every option will have advantages and disadvantages, and mini-splits are no exception.

  • Ductless can be a more expensive option compared to window or baseboard units
  • Mini-splits might not be conducive to your particular room design and usually, only come in white or beige colors
  • Ductless systems need more monthly maintenance and cleaning of filters in order to get rid of dust and debris
  • People who live in colder climates might need to have a fuel backup in order to run ductless heat

To find out what size you will need, you just need to calculate any room’s square footage and include any additional areas such as closets. Then consult a chart to help you determine the right size unit for your space.