Keep reading to learn more about how ductless works. Or, click below for examples of installations in your neighborhood.
Mini splits heat and cool your home by moving refrigerant, not air, between an outdoor component and each room you’re treating. This process, called a “heat transfer,” eliminates the need for ducts and vents.
The refrigerant liquid, or coolant, flows between the air handlers inside(1) and the heat pump outside(3). IN the summer, it carries heat from the house outdoors. Then, it works in reverse for the winter, attracting whatever heat is outside and bringing it into the house.
Since the heat travels with the coolant, there’s no need for ductwork forcing air from a furnace all through the house.
Depending on your home’s needs, you can get a single-zone, or 1:1 setup with a heat pump and one air handler to treat a single room. Or, you can add up to eight air handlers on a single heat pump for whole-home comfort.
The indoor air handler draws in air from the room that it’s treating, warms or cools it, and then recirculates it throughout the room. In the summer, they also dehumidify the air, which is part of the cooling process. The most common models are high-wall units such as the one pictured here. Or, you can go with low-wall models that sit near the floor, or recessed ceiling cassettes that sit flush against your ceiling.
The heat pump, or outdoor unit, is responsible for the heat transfer that’s at the core of the ductless heating and cooling process. Each air handler in your home is connected to the heat pump, which is smaller and quieter than traditional AC condensers. You can opt for one that primarily cools or a stronger model that can also heat your home in sub-zero temperatures.
The line sets connect the system. Small, flexible lines run coolant, or refrigerant, in a closed loop between the mini split’s components. That’s how heat travels from one place to another. The line set also includes power cables for each unit plus a condensate drain line that removes moisture from the dehumidification process.
Meanwhile, specialized sensors inside every air handler detect hot or cold spots in the room. Then, they use small fans to direct treated air to the exact spots that need it.
The result? Better comfort, lower energy bills, and whisper-quiet heating and cooling!
And, with an easy-to-use app that works on any smart device, you can make changes, track energy usage, and program your system from anywhere that has mobile service or a wi-fi connection.
Ductless heating and cooling uses significantly less power than central air and oil or gas furnaces. That saves you money every month on your utility bills. In most cases, you’ll make back the difference in cost between a conventional system and mini split in three to five years.
After that, all those additional savings are money in the bank!
Plus, you can apply for incentives from ComEd, take advantage of manufacturer rebates, and claim tax credits that all bring down your installation cost. It all adds up to much more for much less.