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As summers feel hotter and hotter each year, staying cool is as important as ever. With a mini split AC system, you can enjoy individualized cooling in a single area. Zoned cooling is just one of the benefits of mini-split ACs, but what exactly are they, and do they have any drawbacks?
At Monkey Wrench, we’ve installed hundreds of mini split ACs throughout Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. Our technicians receive specialized training from some of the top mini split manufacturers in the industry to better understand how these systems work and what advantages and disadvantages they can provide.
Mini split ACs can provide your home with plenty of benefits, but there are a few drawbacks to consider. Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons of mini split ACs.
Pros
- Energy efficient
- Zone cooling
- Improved indoor air quality
- Ease of installation and maintenance
Cons
- High upfront cost
- Placement restriction
We’ll review each pro and con so that by the end of this article, you will have a clearer understanding of how this system works and whether it’s suitable for your cooling needs.
How Does a Mini Split AC Work?
Mini split air conditioners are ductless systems that cool a single room. The system provides cool air by absorbing heat from indoor air and using a refrigerant cycle to expel the absorbed heat outside. The cooled-down air is then blown throughout the room by the blower fan.
Here’s a look at its components to get an idea of how a mini split AC works.
- Mini split AC outdoor unit: This component houses the compressor and condenser coil, all important parts of the refrigeration process used to create cool air.
- Mini split AC indoor unit: This unit is mounted to the wall inside the desired room and blows cool air into the designated room. It also has controls for programming it and setting a desired temperature. It also houses the blower fan, expansion valve, and evaporator coil.
- Conduit: The conduit is the connection between the indoor and outdoor units. It contains different tubing that helps transport electrical energy to power the system and the refrigerant that cycles between the two units. It also drains the condensate produced during the cooling process.
Whereas central ACs and heat pumps provide cooling throughout an entire home via ductwork, mini-split systems produce and circulate cool air to a single zone. These systems are commonly installed in additional accessory dwelling units (ADUs), single garages, or single rooms separated from a home’s central air conditioning system.
Now that you’ve seen how mini split systems work, we can start highlighting their advantages.
Mini Split AC Pros
To review, here are the pros of mini split ACs.
- Energy efficient
- Individual zoning
- Improve indoor air quality
- Easy maintenance and installation
Now, let’s start by describing how energy-efficient mini split ACs are.
Mini Split ACs Are Energy-Efficient
Mini split air conditioners are known for their energy efficiency and high energy ratings. Since they’re ductless, mini-split ACs do not experience the energy consumption loss commonly seen with ducted AC systems. According to the Department of Energy, ductwork from AC systems can experience up to 30% energy losses, depending on its condition.
All cooling systems are rated using the Seasons Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER2), which ranges from 13 to over 20. Since mini splits require less energy to cool a single room, instead of an entire home like central systems, they tend to have ratings from 15 to over 20 SEER2.
Their ability to cool a single zone is another benefit of a mini split AC.
Mini Split Systems Provide Individual Zoning
A mini split AC system is designed to cool one area of a home instead of the entire house. This individual zoning allows you to set your mini split at a specific temperature different from the rest of the home.
The flexibility can give you more preference for cooling. For example, if a household member is sensitive to ACs, they can install a mini split and have the option of having a room cooled down but not as cold as the rest of the home.
Wherever the mini split is installed, you can benefit from improved indoor air quality.
Mini Split ACs Improve Indoor Air Quality
Mini split AC units can improve the air quality of whatever room it is installed in. With regular AC systems, a lot of dust, debris, and pollen can build up throughout the ductwork. On the contrary, AC mini splits are ductless and experience cleaner air delivery.
These systems have filters to help capture contaminants and prevent them from spreading throughout an area. The air filters do a great job of providing cleaner airflow and are also easy for most homeowners to replace. Indoor air quality is dependent on staying on top of replacing your air filters.
Filter replacement is just one of the basic maintenance you can do as a mini split AC owner.
Mini Split AC Units Are Easy to Maintain and Install
Technicians tend to have an easier time installing mini split ACs than central cooling systems, and mini splits are easy for homeowners to maintain. Unlike whole-house air conditioning systems, mini splits do not require retrofitting to complete installations. Even though ductwork isn’t required, technicians will need to drill a hole in your home to connect refrigerant lines.
Once installed, you can perform basic care and upkeep for your mini split such as.
- Replacing filters
- Cleaning off dust and debris from the indoor and outdoor units with a clean cloth
- Inspecting and cleaning the condensate drain
Your mini split AC can also benefit from annual professional maintenance. A certified technician can dedicate time to ensuring your system is running efficiently and check that the refrigerant levels are at the manufacturer’s recommended standards.
With the pros of mini split ACs covered, we can now move to their drawbacks.
Mini Split Cons
Even though mini split air conditioners have plenty of benefits, they still have a few drawbacks, such as.
- High upfront cost
- Placement restrictions
High Upfront Costs
Mini split air conditioners have a high upfront cost. These systems can end up costing between $9,000 to $15,000.
Although the price may not be as high as that of advanced central AC systems, a mini split air conditioner can cost more than entry-level AC systems. Mini-split AC prices can vary from company to company, but most companies offer financing options to make mini-split systems more attainable.
Even if you decide to invest in a mini split AC, there may be some restrictions on where it can be placed.
Mini Split AC Placement Restriction
Mini split air conditioning units are mounted on the inside of a wall, but you may not always have the choice of deciding where exactly it can be installed on a wall.
It’s generally recommended that a mini split be installed away from the direct sun. Sunlight may affect and reduce a mini-split system’s efficiency.
Ultimately, the placement might not make a big difference because you’ll still have a dedicated system to cool a specific area of your home.
Is a Mini Split AC Right for Me?
Mini split ACs are perfect if you have a backhouse or garage you use for gatherings that can benefit from individualized cooling. Now that you’ve seen what they do, you can compare their pros and cons and determine if they’re a great fit for whatever cooling needs you may have.
Since 2007, we’ve helped homeowners all over Los Angeles and the surrounding areas find a cooling system for their homes, whether a central or mini split AC system. Every house has unique cooling needs, and by working with the industry’s leading AC brands, we can see how a mini split AC is suitable for specific homes.
If you’re interested in a new mini split AC system, contact us using one of the buttons below. You can also book an appointment directly through our HVAC online scheduler.
