What Is A Mini Split System?

Every household has at least one family member who likes the house a little cooler or warmer than everyone else. With traditional AC, it can be difficult to keep everyone happy — no one likes a thermostat war. And what about that guest room that only gets used a few times a year? It would be great if there was a way to only cool it when it’s in use.

At Air Tech of Pasadena, we want to share with you the wonders of ductless AC. Through the use of mini split AC units, you can customize the temperatures in different areas inside your home. Although there are many perks to ductless AC, it’s not the best choice for all homeowners, so we’re to help you decide if this type of system is right for you.

What Is Ductless AC?

Unlike traditional air conditioning systems, ductless AC doesn’t rely on ducts inside the walls of your home to transport cool air to different rooms. Instead, ductless air conditioning uses individual units, known as mini splits, to cool down different rooms or areas in your home. Mini-splits are usually mounted on the wall and are connected through small cables to an outdoor unit.

What Are The Benefits Of Mini-Split AC?

There are many perks to a ductless mini split system. Once you understand the advantages, you can determine if installing this system is right for you.

Energy Efficiency

Unlike traditional AC systems which require ducts, mini-split units provide fewer opportunities for cool air to be wasted. Since the air doesn’t travel through air ducts, there isn’t any leakage inside the walls. Additionally, the cool air is delivered straight from the indoor air handlers to the zones that need it, which increases energy efficiency as well.

It’s important to note that efficiency doesn’t just depend on the unit. You’ll still need to make sure your home’s insulation is up to par for the mini split units to achieve maximum efficiency. Still, ductless units prevent the loss of cool air within your home’s walls.

Temperature Zones

Custom temperature zoning with ductless AC allows everyone to be comfortable under the same roof. Mini-split units come in different models, which means that certain units are strong enough to cool a small room and others can cool multiple rooms at once. You’ll need to consider your budget and needs when you determine what type and how many mini-split air handlers to buy.

If you have multiple connected rooms with an open floor plan, you’ll only need one unit to cool the entire space. However, bedrooms and offices might need their own units. Each unit has its own thermostat so you can set different temperatures in each zone.

Power Control

Let’s say that the guest room you have is only used a couple of weeks out of the year. If you have a mini split unit in that room, you can shut it off until just before someone comes to visit. Not only will you save money, but your guest will have complete control over the temperature of their room.

Who Should Install A Ductless AC?

Despite all the perks of ductless AC, it’s not the best choice for everyone. If you already have or are renovating a home with ducts, the expense of switching to ductless AC is definitely an investment. Additionally, buying multiple air handlers could be a larger investment than installing AC with ducts.

Another potential issue is that mini-split units are usually two and a half feet wide and have to be mounted on the wall. If you don’t have a lot of wall space or are particular about your decor, you might want to go a different route.

Despite the negatives, mini-split systems are a great choice in many situations. If you’re putting an addition onto your home, consider installing a mini split or two instead of adding ductwork that connects to your main home. Similarly, if you’re building a new home, you may want to install ductless AC since the system is more efficient and could save you money in the long run.

Scheduling Pasadena AC Installation

If you’re interested in ductless AC in Pasadena, Air Tech of Pasadena is here to help. We install AC with ducts as well as mini split systems — so we can serve all our clients well! Give us a call to schedule a consultation or installation!