When searching for a heating and cooling system for your home, it’s crucial to choose one that balances efficiency, performance and budget. That’s why many property owners use mini-splits to heat and cool their home.
Mini-splits—often referred to as ductless mini-splits—have many advantages that make them a popular choice for both homes and businesses. They're extremely energy efficient, decreasing energy consumption and saving on utility costs, because they eliminate the energy losses affiliated with the ductwork found in traditional HVAC systems. They also allow users to tailor the temperature in each room, boosting overall comfort while not wasting energy.
If you’re considering mini-split installation in Mobile, it’s necessary to first find out if these devices are the best fit for your living situation. Here, we’ll explore how mini-splits measure up to other heating and cooling systems.
What a Mini-Split Is and How It Works
A mini-split, or ductless mini-split, is a heating and cooling mechanism that doesn't need ductwork to function. It's often used in homes that don't have existing air ducts and for homes with rooms that aren’t served well by the home's existing HVAC system.
A mini-split system has two main components: an outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air-handling unit. The two are connected by a conduit carrying the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing and a condensate drain.
Here's how it works: the exterior compressor moves the refrigerant necessary for heat exchange through the coils and the air handler. The in-house unit draws in air from the room, cools or heats it over the coils and pushes the conditioned air back into the room.
Mini-Split vs. Central Air
Mini-splits provide targeted cooling in specific rooms or zones of your home. They are known for energy efficiency because they only condition the areas you want. However, they might not blend seamlessly into every room due to their wall-mounted indoor units.
On the other hand, a central air system uniformly conditions your entire home, generating consistent comfort levels throughout. Its ductwork is out of sight, preserving the interior design of your home. On the other hand, it may not be as energy efficient as a mini-split, especially in bigger homes or residences where certain spots may not need constant conditioning.
Mini-Split vs. Window AC/Window Unit
Mini-splits are usually more energy efficient and less noisy than a window air conditioning unit and are able to cool multiple rooms. This is why mini-splits are a convenient alternative for lots of homeowners. They also operate using a kind of refrigerant that is more eco-friendly, decreasing their environmental impact. These systems can even add value to your home due to their long-lasting nature and exceptional cooling capabilities. However, they come with a greater up-front cost.
Having said that, window AC units are less expensive up front. They are often a good fit for homes that are not able to accommodate a central air system or for homeowners with budget constraints. Despite these advantages, window units can utilize up to 40% more energy than ductless mini-split systems and typically make more noise.
Mini-Split vs. Portable AC
The answer to what is better, a ductless mini-split or a portable air conditioning unit, will depend on on your priorities. If your main considerations are energy efficiency and cooling capability, a mini-split is considered far superior to a portable AC unit. However, if finances is a significant concern, a portable AC has a lower initial investment.
Mini-Split vs. Gas Furnace
The choice between a mini-split system and a gas furnace depends on a variety of factors which can include the climate in your city, home size, energy efficiency needs and how much you plan on spending.
A mini-split system usually is more energy efficient than a gas furnace. It can heat and cool defined areas inside of your home, providing custom climate control in individual rooms. Mini-splits also are for the most part quieter and have a greater up-front cost, but their operating costs are usually smaller due to their better energy efficiency.
However, a gas furnace can be an extremely effective heating remedy, particularly in colder climates where mini-split heat pumps may not be able to maintain comfort levels in the bitter cold. Even though they are less energy efficient than mini-splits, gas furnaces likely are not as expensive. However, their operating costs can be more costly, especially if natural gas prices jump up.
Mini-Split vs. Heat Pump
Mini-splits and heat pumps use the concept of heat transfer. They are both energy efficient, but a heat pump's duct system can cause more energy usage. This difference aside, the choice between a mini-split and a heat pump often relies on a homeowner's needs and circumstances.
Case in point, if you reside in a warmer climate and mostly need cooling, a mini-split system might be a good choice. However, if you need both heating and cooling and already have ductwork in your home, a heat pump may be a more efficient option.
Mini-Split vs. Space Heater
When it comes to heating and cooling a home, mini-splits and space heaters each have merits. However, for all around efficiency, versatility, comfort and safety, mini-splits outperform space heaters. Mini-splits provide superior energy efficiency due to the fact they deliver conditioned air straight to different zones and can serve multiple rooms at once.
Space heaters are far less expensive to buy but are typically reserved for heating a small area or an individual room. They also are usually less energy efficient. In contrast to mini-splits, space heaters do not supply cooling. The biggest drawback for space heaters is the risk of fire. Authorities say some 1,700 fires per year involve space heaters.