Split AC Guide - Common Mini Split Air Conditioner Questions1. Why choose a mini split air conditioner?A mini split air conditioner is a cost effective alternative to central air conditioning. However, it is typically more expensive than a wall or window air conditioner and needs to be professionally installed. Since the compressor sits on the outside, the split air conditioner is very quiet and efficient. Also, since mini splits have no ducts, they avoid the energy losses associated with the ductwork of central forced air systems. Duct losses can account for more than 30% of energy consumption for space conditioning, especially if the ducts are in an unconditioned space such as an attic. 2. Are there additional benefits?Mini split air conditioners are sometimes easier to install than other types of air conditioning systems. For example, the hook-up between the outdoor and indoor units generally require only a three inch hole through a wall for the conduit. Also, most manufacturers for this type of system will provide a variety of lengths of connecting conduits.

This way, it is possible to locate the outdoor unit as far away as 50 feet from the indoor evaporator for cooling rooms on the front side of a building or house with the compressor in a more inconspicuous place on the outside of the building.In comparison to other add-on systems, split air conditioners offer more flexibility in interior design options. The indoor air handlers can be suspended from a ceiling, mounted flush into a drop ceiling, or hung on a wall. Floor-standing models are also available. Most indoor units have profiles of about seven inches deep and usually come with sleek, high tech jackets. Many also offer a remote control to easily turn the split air conditioner on and off when it's positioned high on a wall or suspended from a ceiling.Outdoor Compressor-Condenser AC UnitIndoor Wall Unit3. What are mini split air conditioners?Like central air conditioning units, mini split air conditioners have two main components: an outdoor compressor/condenser, and an indoor air-handling unit.

A conduit, which houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing, and a condensate drain, links the outdoor and indoor units through a small hole that is drilled in the wall of the building. The main advantages of split air conditioners are their small size and flexibility for zoning, heating, or cooling individual rooms. Some split air conditioners can have as many as four indoor, air handling units (for four zones or rooms) connected to one outdoor unit. central ac units calgaryThe number depends on the amount of heating or cooling required for each building or zone (also affected by how well the building is insulated). how to test a capacitor on an ac unitSince each of the split air conditioner zones or rooms will have an individual thermostat, only that area where someone is present needs to be conditioned, saving energy and money.4. dual ac heater units

How does a mini split air conditioner work?A mini split air conditioner works just like a portable air conditioner or traditional air conditioner. The difference is in the setup and effectiveness. A split system is not going to be movable like a portable air conditioner, but it will have comparable cooling power. A traditional central air conditioner is going to be able to cool the whole house, while a split system will be used primarily for spot cooling a particular room.Simple Illustration of a Split SystemSetup of Indoor and Outdoor UnitsSee All Split Air ConditionersAir & Water, Inc. serves Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County.  If you live in any of the following zip codes, please feel free to come see our products in person: 92662, 92663, 92657, 92856, 92857, 92859, 92862, 92863, 92864, 92865, and 92866. While most people associate air conditioning with cold, the science behind making your home cooler actually deals with the transfer of heat.

When that heat is lost, or removed, the remaining cold air cools your home.  In order to understand this system better, let’s look at the major components. Your central air conditioning system has two key components: the indoor unit, and the outdoor unit. They work in tandem to keep your home comfortable year-round. The indoor unit is typically located in a closet or basement, and is near where your furnace filter is located. The unit consists of a coil box that contains what is called an evaporator.  The evaporator allows for the refrigerant – a cooling fluid inside the coil piping sometimes known by a brand name such as Freon™ – to evaporate and absorb heat. Once the heat is absorbed from inside your home, it leaves nothing but cool air to be sent back into your home. Just as water absorbs heat from your stove in order to boil (or evaporate) refrigerant absorbs heat from your house. This means that both water and refrigerant turn from liquid to vapor as they absorb heat.

The outdoor unit is usually located in the rear or side of your house and it is where the heat from inside your home is dispersed. It contains the compressor, condenser coil and a fan. The heat absorbed from your home’s air is transferred to the refrigerant and then pumped to the outdoor unit. As this heat is absorbed and moved by the refrigerant to the outdoor coil, it passes through the compressor. The compressor in your air conditioning system has the primary job of moving the refrigerant throughout the system. This is important as we can then keep reusing the refrigerant to cool our house. The refrigerant is compressed to a higher pressure, and moved through the outdoor coil known as the condenser. As the refrigerant passes through the condenser, a fan delivers ambient air across the condenser coil causing it to cool. As the process completes, the heat from inside your house is dispersed to the air outside your house. The refrigerant is then pumped back indoors and the whole process repeats.