A ductless mini-split is an HVAC system that cools and heats individual rooms and zones within a home. This differs from a traditional HVAC system, which evenly cools and heats the entire residence. A mini-split system has many amazing benefits. It allows for highly flexible installations and is among the most efficient HVAC systems available. However, there are some potential disadvantages as well.
Installation Footprint
Mini-splits have an outdoor compressor unit similar to a central AC. The difference is the individual air handlers, which are mounted within the living spaces. The most common type is the wall unit, which will take up some wall space. The good news is that modern wall units have a compact form factor, and we’ll generally install them near the ceiling.
That’s ideal for performance while limiting the amount of valuable wall real estate they occupy. There are alternatives to wall mounting. Ceiling-mounted cassette units may be the best for limiting the installation footprint, while floor-mounted units may be the worst in that regard.
Aesthetics
A concern many homeowners have is appearance. While mini-splits can detract from your home decor, they don’t have to! There are strategies to avoid that. It’s important to minimize the size of the units as much as possible, and the right color choices can help them blend. They can also be mounted on floors, walls, or ceilings. We can make clever use of the home design or furniture, and recessed installations are an option. You can purchase decorative covers or opt for artwork and other wall features to highlight or disguise the units.
Equipment and Installation Costs
A mini-split can be considerably more expensive initially than installing a central AC system. Consider a ducted heat pump, which has a filter, blower, evaporator coil, and drain line. A mini-split needs those same components, but within each indoor handler. There’s also a bigger time commitment and more labor costs.
Our installer must run a conduit from the outdoor unit to each indoor unit. The conduit contains the electrical wiring, refrigerant lines, and drainage tubes. Our installer must also calibrate each unit’s thermostat, blower, drainage, and so forth.
Condensate Drainage
A mini-split needs a drain line for each indoor unit, which complicates matters. Ideally, all indoor units will drain via gravity. If that’s not possible, we’ll install a condensate drainage pump. While all cooling systems can leak, it’s a bigger concern with mini-splits due to the lower condensation capacity. Expert installation is paramount. You also have to be vigilant with pump health and potential clogs. Undiagnosed issues can cause leaks.
Heating Performance
There are two core types of mini-splits: air conditioners and heat pumps. Ductless ACs or cooling-only mini-splits provide air conditioning exclusively, but these models may be more prevalent in hot climates that rarely experience cool weather. Ductless mini-splits can move radiant energy into and out of your home, heating and cooling it.
There are some limitations. Mini-split heat pumps often have a cold-weather threshold at which they lose efficiency significantly. That can make them expensive to run during colder periods of the year. Many models have electric resistive strips for direct electric heat as an auxiliary system. Still, mini-split heat pumps generally aren’t ideal as a primary heating system in very cold climates.
Limited Circulation
Expert installation is necessary to avoid uneven cooling. This can be an issue due to airflow delivery, heat rising, room layout, and other factors. We measure airflow in cubic feet per minute (CFM). It’s imperative to ensure an indoor unit provides enough CFM for its zone. Mini-splits can benefit greatly from ceiling fans in summer and, if applicable, winter. Install ceiling fans in all rooms where they’re suitable. Consider high-volume air circulators where they’re not. Mini-splits with advanced airflow direction control can help with circulation as well.
Challenges in Larger Rooms
Standard mini-splits are less effective in large, wide-open spaces. Larger rooms may require more than one indoor unit. Typically, you can have a primary head along with one or more secondary heads. Another option is to install ceiling cassette units, which can distribute air to a larger room more evenly. Many brands have vents on all four sides or around a circular base so that air flows in all directions. These are a popular option in expansive kitchens and other difficult-to-cool living spaces.
Challenges in Bigger Homes
The larger the home, the more complex and expensive the mini-split installation. This is true with a central system as well, but to a lesser degree. Bigger houses will have more expansive living areas. They’ll also have more spaces that are difficult to account for, such as hallways, stairwells, and foyers.
The other issue with larger houses is the indoor unit count. The typical mini-split installation involves two to four heads. The average outdoor compressor unit allows for this many, but some larger units have up to an eight-head limit. If you need more than eight heads, the solution generally involves installing multiple outdoor units in a series. That can dramatically increase your costs.
More Potential Equipment Wear
There are more air handlers in a mini-split installation than in a traditional HVAC system. That means more filters to buy or clean and potentially more repairs. Minimize the use of equipment in zones you’re not occupying through modest temperature settings. The expected lifetime of a mini-split can be extended if you utilize the advanced energy-saving features available in a smart thermostat.
Air Quality
All forced-air systems can exacerbate indoor air quality issues. That said, mini-splits have the potential for worse air quality due to how the air blows directly into the living space. The industry measures HVAC filter effectiveness with the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). The higher the MERV rating, the better the filtration.
However, not all manufacturers design mini-splits for high-MERV filters, but Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, & Generators offers systems that support up to MERV 13. Another consideration is that mini-splits typically use reusable filters. It’s crucial to wash them regularly and not reuse them until they’re completely dry.
Noise Output
While mini-splits typically produce less noise than central systems, the blower is much closer to your ears. Modern systems generally make between 20 and 35 decibels (dB), which is comparable to a whisper. If you’re concerned about noise, target the lower end of the dB range. In addition, many mini-splits have a quiet mode perfect for bedrooms and home theaters.
Maintenance
All HVAC equipment needs seasonal maintenance. Most warranties require it, and it helps to lower operating costs, avoid repairs, and extend system lifespan. Mini-split maintenance is more time-consuming than central AC maintenance. Our technician has to service each indoor unit individually. That includes lubricating the blower, balancing the fan blades, cleaning the evaporator coil, clearing the drain line, and so on. As for homeowner upkeep, you have to frequently replace air filters in each air handler instead of just a single filter in a central AC unit.
Expert Mini-Split Installation in Bountiful
Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, & Generators is a locally owned and operated HVAC company in Bountiful, UT. Our team has over 20 years of experience serving Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas. We install all mini-split brands and ensure we personalize systems to our clients’ unique needs. Our company provides in-person consultations and quotes at no cost and without obligation. We often have specials available and offer financing subject to credit approval.
Call Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, & Generators today or contact us online to learn more about your ductless mini-split options.
