A mini-split is a heating and air conditioning system that enables independent temperature control across individual rooms or spaces within homes or businesses. Most mini-split systems are ductless and comprised of two primary components – an indoor unit and an outdoor unit that transfer heat through a connecting refrigerant line to heat or cool the space in which the indoor unit is located.
The indoor components, or air handlers, in ductless mini-split systems come in various forms but are most commonly wall-mounted units or recessed ceiling cassettes. These types of mini-split systems do not rely on existing ductwork and are therefore more flexible and easier to install than traditional ducted systems.
In multi-zone mini-split systems, multiple indoor units can be connected to a single outdoor condensing and compressing unit. In most residential applications, these outdoor units are heat pumps that use electricity to transfer energy from the air or ground outside to indoor environments.
Mini-split heat pump systems are all-electric, do not burn fossil fuels and are more energy-efficient and flexible across multiple climate zones than traditional heating and air conditioning systems.
How Do Mini-Split Systems Work?
Mini-split systems serve as all-in-one heating and air conditioning systems. When in cooling mode, mini-split systems absorb heat from inside your home or business and transfer it through refrigerant lines to the outdoor unit to create a cool and refreshing indoor climate. In heating mode, the system works in reverse, with the outdoor heat pump unit pulling heat from outside and transferring it back into your home through one or multiple indoor units. This enables the simultaneous multi-zone climate control and flexibility that set mini-split systems apart from central air systems.
Mini-Split vs. Central Air - What are the Advantages of Mini-Split Systems?
- Flexible, Multi-Zone Climate Control - The ability to integrate multiple air handing indoor units into a mini-split system enables area-specific climate control for ideal temperatures across multiple zones throughout homes or businesses
- Energy Efficiency - Ductless mini-split systems avoid the energy loss commonly associated with the ductwork in forced central air systems
- Cost Efficiency - When a home’s temperature depends upon an inefficient system, monthly bills can quickly climb out of control. Mini-split heating and air conditioning systems operate on less power – they are smaller than traditional forced-air systems, and because the temperature-controlled air is delivered directly into a room, there is no loss in efficiency
- Text Credit and Rebate Eligibility - In addition to saving money on utilities, homeowners may also be eligible for tax credits or utility rebates for the year they install a ductless air conditioning and heating system. There are many programs at the federal, state and local level that allow homeowners and businesses to take advantage of these additional savings
- Improved Indoor Air Quality - Ductless air conditioning and heating systems offer multi-stage filtration that can drastically reduce dust, bacteria, pollen, allergens and other particulates in the air
- Quick and Easy Installation - Mini-split systems run on small pipes that only require a three-inch hole. That means homeowners don’t have to worry about rebuilding walls or ceilings around ductwork and there is no loss of square footage. Depending upon the number of indoor and outdoor units required, ductless mini-split systems can be up and running in as little as one day
- More Eco-Friendly - Mini-split heating and air conditioning systems follow Energy Star guidelines, which means they are far more energy efficient than the minimum standards set forth by the U.S. federal government. Improved efficiency saves money, of course, but it also helps reduce your total carbon output
- Quieter Operation - All-electric mini-split heat pump systems operate at quieter levels than forced central air systems, helping to reduce aggravating background noise
Mini-Split vs. Heat Pump - What's the Difference?
It’s not uncommon to hear the terms ‘mini-split’ and ‘heat pump’ thrown around interchangeably and, given some of the technical nuances that differentiate the two, it’s hard to blame anyone for overlooking the differences or how they can work together. To best understand the difference between heat pump and mini-split systems, it’s important to define and categorize mini-splits, heat pumps, and mini-split heat pump systems.
Mini-split systems, as outlined above, are comprised of outdoor compressor units and indoor air handlers that combine to offer zone-specific temperature control across different areas of a home or business.
Heat pumps are outdoor units that use electricity to transfer energy from the air or ground outside to indoor environments. The unique advantage for heat pumps against traditional systems is the significant edge in energy efficiency and the ability to both heat and cool indoor environments.
Mini-split heat pumps are mini-split systems in which the outdoor compressing unit leverages heat pump technology. These systems are powerful HVAC solutions as the all-in-one heat pump capabilities lend precision two-way temperature control to the mini-split system, while mini-split systems that don’t leverage heat pump technology may be limited to cooling capabilities only.
