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HVAC With an increase in popularity both in new units being introduced to the market and an increase in demand from consumers, ductless mini-split systems are sure to increase in usage in the coming years. B Y A N D Y K E L LY A s temperatures hit record highs, more homeowners continue to ask about switching to ductless mini splits as an energy-efficient (and money-saving) alternative. For both heating and cooling solutions, they're becoming the far more efficient, quieter and less costly choice for consumers. HOW MINI-SPLIT SYSTEMS WORK A mini-split system includes two parts — an outdoor unit that pulls air toward the indoor unit where the heated (or cooled) air is dispersed. These systems deliver the heat or cooling in a more efficient manner, be- cause air is routed to areas the consumer wants to heat. Ductless systems transfer the air from the outer unit to the inner unit through copper tubing installed inside a wall or the ceiling. Ductless mini-split air conditioning systems transfer heat or cooled air from the source to the area desired with a refrigerant vapor compression cycle. But because there are no ducts in these systems, there is no loss of heat or cooled air like there would be in a system that uses ducts. These units typically affect anywhere from one to four specific zones, determined by where an indoor unit is placed. Benefits of a ductless mini-split air conditioning system include: > Versatility. A ductless mini-split air conditioning system can control the environment in multiple zones, using individual indoor air handling units connected to the single outdoor unit. Many systems can have as many as four indoor air handling units cooling different zones. > Quiet operation. Unlike air conditioning units installed in windows or units that have the compressor located inside, a mini-split system has the compressor located outside and the fan runs at a lower speed, meaning it makes less noise. > Better energy efficiency. With a system that uses multiple zones, ductless mini-split units use multiple heads that are simple to control — and are able to continually adjust speed to heat or cool the different zones thanks to inverter technology. > Improved indoor air quality. These systems do not require ducts to operate. No ducts means no dust, allergens or mold buildup. > Minimal maintenance. With washable filters, many systems require periodic cleaning and condensing units are easy to get to when maintenance is required. DISADVANTAGES While there are many advantages to ductless mini-split systems, there are a few reported disadvantages. A comprehensive list of disadvantages can be found at energy.gov. Disadvantages include: > Some serviceability issues, depending on the contractor. > Hot and cold spots have been reported with ductless systems due to the spacing of units. > Reported appearance and/or aesthetic issues. While indoor units won't block views due to being small and sleek and in general are less obtrusive than a window room air conditioner, many units seldom have the built-in look of a central system. INSTALLATION OPTIONS AND TIPS There are many different options of indoor units. One type of indoor unit is mounted on the wall. Wall-mounted units include mounting plates held to the area desired for installation, and then holes are drilled to affix the plate in order to install the unit. Once this has been done, the most serious change that will be made is the hole in the wall to fit the piping. At most, according to energy.gov, the hookup between the indoor and outdoor components requires a hole about 3 inches for the conduit, and the outdoor unit for this type of system can often be placed up to 50 feet from the indoor unit. By the time electrical connections are checked and pipes are connected, the mini-split comfort system will be fully functional. Another type of installation is on the ceiling. Ceiling units can be suspended, recessed or concealed inside the ceiling. Ceiling units are for single-zone appli- cations only (multiple-zone ceiling units are not available). With an increase in popularity both in new units being introduced to the market and an increase in demand from consumers, ductless mini-split systems are sure to increase in usage in the coming years. Careful evaluation of the pros and cons ultimately will help the consumer choose the right heating or cooling system for their homes. Andy Kelly works for the family owned Sentry Air HVAC Company, serving the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas areas of Garland, Rowlett, Richardson and Plano. An overview of ductless mini-split systems From the field HVACPproducts.com HVAC & Plumbing Product News \ Winter 2014/15 12