It may not be feasible to have an individual room air conditioner in each room, especially in households where a number of rooms need to be cooled. One solution is a ductless mini-split air-conditioning system that can have several indoor units linked to a single outdoor unit.
The technology is usually called a mini-split or ductless air conditioner, as it doesn’t use the length of ductwork found in traditional central air conditioning units. Instead, the refrigerant lines and electrical wiring are used to link the indoor units to the outdoor compressor.
How Does a Mini-Split AC Work?
The mini-split system works on essentially the same principle as traditional air conditioners. Indoor units have a blower fan and evaporator coil, and the outdoor units have the condenser and compressor.
The refrigerant passes from the outside to the inside unit and vice versa. While cooling, the system draws heat from the indoor air and expels it to the outside, while the air conditioner inside the house circulates the cooled air directly into the house. Mini-split systems do not rely on ducts and distribute cooling directly to the indoor units, unlike central air conditioning systems.
Single-Zone and Multi-Zone Systems
Generally, mini-split systems can be set up for the number of spaces requiring temperature control. A single-zone system has one outdoor and one indoor unit, and is designed for a single room or area. A multi-zone system, on the other hand, lets multiple indoor units connect to an outdoor unit which is compatible. This enables cooling in various rooms without having to install a separate outside compressor for each room. Multi-zone systems can be equipped with multiple indoor units depending on the model and configuration.
Why ductless?
One of the major benefits is the versatility of installation. As large air ducts are not needed, the system may be considered for properties where the installation of conventional ducted air conditioning is problematic.
Depending on the system, indoor units may be offered in various configurations such as wall mounted, floor mounted, and ceiling mounted units. Another benefit is ZONED TEMPERATURE CONTROL. The air conditioning system’s individual units may be able to be used to air condition individual rooms as required, often without cooling being required in certain rooms. In colder weather, some mini-split heat-pump systems are able to operate as a heating system by reversing the refrigeration cycle.
Other options also exist for homes who want to control the temperature of various rooms in the house without the use of ductwork; ductless technology could be an alternative if the size of the rooms, cooling load, the number of rooms and installation requirements are taken into consideration.
