What Is a Ductless Split?

Is there an area in your home that runs hotter than the rest? If so, chances are you’ve never heard of a “ductless split” or “mini split,” but it quite possibly is the answer to your prayers.

As the name implies, a ductless split provides air conditioning to an area in your home without using traditional ducting. In a home equipped with a central air conditioner, the conditioned air is circulated throughout the home using a series of ducts that are installed in the attic or floors. But, not all homes, or areas of all homes, have the ducting required for central air conditioning. At Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, Generators, we typically find that older homes and additions to homes located along the Wasatch Front lack the ducting necessary for a central air conditioning unit.

In these situations, homeowners have historically relied on swamp coolers and/or window-mounted air conditioning units to cool their homes. These solutions, however, have some drawbacks. For example, they are often quite loud, and many homeowners find their prominence on the home (either on the roof or in a window) unsightly. Ductless splits are the next generation of ductless cooling technology and eliminate many of the issues associated with the old options. They can also be used to supplement an existing system, like where a customer wants to cool a particular bedroom or home gym without cooling the entire home.

A ductless split consists of three main components: an air handler, a condenser, and copper piping that connects the two. The air handler is mounted inside the home, typically on a wall, and is where the conditioned air will be discharged. On the other hand, the condenser is installed outside the home, much like a traditional central air conditioning system. But, unlike a traditional central air condenser, the ductless split condenser has a much smaller footprint at approximately 30 inches by 12 inches. Another advantage to a ductless split condenser is that they can be installed in a variety of locations, including on a roof or beneath a deck.

Inside the home, the air handler also comes equipped with a variety of advantages. Most noticeable to homeowners is the sound … or lack thereof. Many ductless splits are extremely quiet, measuring in at a mere 36 decibels. That is quieter than most refrigerators and dishwashers.

The air handler is controlled using a thermostat, and yes, many can even be controlled with your smartphone and integrated into your other “smart home” applications.

Most homeowners also demand efficiency from their home appliances, and a ductless split checks that box as well. Many ductless splits tout a 33 SEER rating. In comparison, the most efficient traditional central air conditioners lag behind with a SEER rating of 25. And, because each air handler can be installed with its own thermostat, you can really dial-in the temperature you want for that particular area of your home.

Depending on the application and model, many ductless split systems can operate more than one air handler on a single condenser. And some ductless systems come equipped with a heat pump, which will allow the system to produce heated air in the cooler months.

Whether you’re looking to add air conditioning to a ductless area of your home or simply looking to supplement your existing system, a ductless split system could be the solution for you. For more information about a ductless split system, contact one of the specialists at Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, Generators and make an appointment to learn more about the various options available.