Ductless Mini Splits. As one of the premier home service providers in St. Louis, the SmartHouse team is here to help you lower energy costs and stay comfortable with ductless mini split systems. Schedule an appointment online, call our HVAC experts today at 314-648-3162, or send us a text at 314-310-2242 for more information about our St. Louis services and ductless mini split installation, maintenance, and products.
Key Benefits of Ductless Mini Split Systems
Ductless mini split systems offer an eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and versatile solution for modern heating and cooling needs. Here’s why they’re an excellent investment:
Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings
- Reduced Energy Waste: Designed to use less energy than traditional HVAC systems, with no ductwork required.
- Zoned Heating and Cooling: Customize temperatures for different areas, reducing unnecessary energy use. Learn more about zoning options for more controlled heating and cooling.
- Eco-Friendly Technology: Uses advanced features and refrigerants with a smaller environmental footprint.
Enhanced Comfort and Air Quality
- Personalized Comfort: Set temperatures individually for each room or zone.
- Cleaner Air: Advanced filters remove allergens and pollutants, improving indoor air quality.
Quiet and Space-Saving Design
- Whisper-Quiet Operation: Ideal for bedrooms, offices, or other quiet spaces.
- Compact Installation: Requires minimal wall space and no invasive ductwork.
Eco-Friendly Features
- Reduced Carbon Emissions: By using less energy, mini splits reduce reliance on power plants which decreases greenhouse gas emissions.
- Sustainable Refrigerants: Most modern systems utilize refrigerants that are less harmful to the ozone layer and align with global environmental standards.
Discover more about ductless mini split systems through trusted manufacturers like Mitsubishi Electronics. Whether upgrading an aging HVAC system or starting from scratch, SmartHouse can guide you in choosing the right heating and cooling solution for your home.
When Does a Ductless Mini Split System Make Sense?
Ductless mini split systems are a great solution for homes and spaces where traditional ducted HVAC systems aren’t practical. If you’re considering a more efficient and flexible heating and cooling option, below are a few ideal scenarios for mini split installation:
- Older Homes Without Ductwork: Many historic or older homes were built before central HVAC systems became common. Installing ductwork can be invasive and costly, making a ductless mini split a practical alternative.
- Home Additions & Renovations: If you’re adding a new room or renovating an area that isn’t connected to your existing HVAC system, a mini split provides independent climate control without modifying your current ductwork.
- Attics, Garages, and Basements: Spaces like attics, converted garages, and finished basements often lack adequate heating and cooling. A mini split ensures year-round comfort in these hard-to-regulate areas. These are also recommended for tiny homes and other domiciles that use generators.
- Zoned Temperature Control: Mini splits allow for precise temperature control in specific rooms or zones, making them ideal for households where different areas have varying heating and cooling needs.
How Ductless Mini Split Systems Work
Ductless mini splits efficiently transfer heat between the indoors and outdoors without needing ductwork. They typically consist of one outdoor unit paired with one or more indoor units connected via a conduit that houses power cables, refrigerant lines, suction tubing, and condensate drains. This conduit is typically routed through a three-inch opening in the wall or ceiling. Below are a few other things to know about these systems:
Key Components for Ductless Mini Split HVAC Systems
- Outdoor Unit: Houses the compressor, condenser coil, and fan. These units collect and release heat outside of the building.
- Indoor Unit(s): Wall, ceiling, or floor-mounted units equipped with an evaporator coil and fan to condition the air in individual rooms or zones.
- Refrigerant Lines: Carry refrigerant to absorb and release heat as it cycles between the units.
- Controls: Remote or thermostat controls allow homeowners to adjust temperature, fan speed, and other settings.
Cooling Process
- Heat Absorption: The indoor unit pulls warm air from the room, passing it over the evaporator coil, where the refrigerant absorbs heat.
- Heat Transfer: The refrigerant, now warmed, flows through refrigerant lines to the outdoor unit.
- Heat Release: In the outdoor unit, the heat is released into the outside air. A fan aids this process.
- Refrigerant Recycling: The refrigerant cools and cycles back to the indoor unit to absorb more heat.
Heating Process
- Heat Absorption: The outdoor unit extracts heat from the outside air, even in cold temperatures, and transfers it to the refrigerant.
- Heat Transfer: The compressor increases the temperature of the heat-absorbed refrigerant, and it travels to the indoor unit.
- Heat Release: Inside, the evaporator coil acts as a condenser, releasing heat into the home while a fan distributes the warm air.
Mini Splits vs. Heat Pumps
While ductless mini split systems and heat pumps are closely related, they aren’t exactly the same.
- Mini Split System: A mini split system refers specifically to a type of HVAC system that operates without ducts. These units include both indoor and outdoor units linked by refrigerant lines. Mini split systems can be heat pumps, but they may also use other technology like air conditioning units without heating capabilities.
- Heat Pump Systems: A heat pump is a type of HVAC technology that can both heat and cool a space by transferring heat rather than generating it. Heat pumps can be used with various systems including mini splits and ducted systems. The key feature of a heat pump is its ability to reverse the flow of refrigerant to provide both heating in winter and cooling in summer.
- Heating and Cooling: Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling by reversing the refrigerant flow. Mini split systems–depending on the type–may only cool a space (if not a heat pump) or both cool and heat (if equipped with heat pump technology).
While all mini splits are ductless systems, not all are equipped with heat pump technology – some mini splits are designed for cooling only. But for those seeking year-round comfort, mini splits with heat pump technology will both heat and cool your space. And remember, heat pump technology isn’t exclusive to mini splits; it’s available for both ductless and ducted HVAC systems.
Additional HVAC Services in St. Louis
Ductless Mini Splits in St. Louis
If you’re worried about consistent heating and cooling, cost inflation, energy efficiency, or other concerns, don’t wait to schedule an appointment online with our HVAC experts and give us a call today at 314-648-3162, or send us a text at 314-310-2242. Ductless mini splits in St. Louis are one of the most valuable investments you can make in your home–let SmartHouse know how we can help.
