HVAC
HVAC services in Colorado Springs, CO

Mini-splits are a type of HVAC system suitable for most homes in the U.S. The term “mini-split” comes from the design of the system, which refers to these systems being smaller than traditional central HVAC configurations. The approach originated in Japan to accommodate homes that were generally smaller than in North America and had thinner walls. Split systems have one or more condenser units outside the home and one or more air handlers inside. While mini-splits can have ducts, most have none. Let’s explore why such a configuration may be the right choice for your home and perhaps why it isn’t.

Pro: Cooling and Optional Heating

There are two core types of mini-splits: air conditioners and heat pumps. You may see manufacturers refer to their ductless ACs as cooling-only mini-splits. Heat pumps are like ACs but have a reversing valve that lets the refrigeration process run in reverse. That allows them to provide cooling during summer and heating during winter. Note that a ductless heat pump will cost more than a ductless AC. You can expect a 10-20% increase in initial costs.

Con: Heating in Cold Weather

ACs and heat pumps function by transferring heat energy from one medium to another. Most mini-splits that provide heat are air-source heat pumps. That means that they transfer heat energy to and from the ambient air. This isn’t a concern in summer when cooling a home. It is a concern in winter because heat is less abundant the colder it gets. When the temperature drops below a heat pump’s cold-weather threshold, system efficiency declines significantly. For this reason, many ductless heat pumps have electric resistive strips for auxiliary heating.

Pro: Few Installation Requirements

A mini-split is a practical option for nearly any home. A big reason is that mini-splits don’t need ducts. An installer does need to run a conduit between each indoor unit and its outdoor unit. That usually requires a 3-inch hole in the wall. In most cases, this is a simple installation. Even in cases where it’s not, manufacturers offer many adapters. The conduit contains a drain line. Most indoor units drain through gravity alone. In scenarios where that isn’t possible, the installer can add a pump for condensate drainage.

Con: High Equipment Requirements

Ductless mini-splits tend to require more equipment than central systems. A typical central AC has an outdoor unit, ductwork, and an indoor unit. The indoor unit comprises the supply filter, blower, evaporator coil, and condensate drainage system. With a mini-split, you need an indoor unit for each zone. That means each zone has its filter, blower, coil, and so forth. Not only do you need more equipment, but the installation is more complex and time-consuming. That’s why you can expect mini-split installation to be about 30% more expensive than central air.

Pro: Inherent Zoning

Traditional HVAC systems have a single zone, which is the entire home. You set a temperature, and the system maintains it, in theory, in every room. Zoning or zone control is an HVAC approach through which an installer partitions a home into separate areas. That lets you set a different temperature in each of those zones. Zone control is possible with central HVAC, but it’s relatively expensive. You need a variable-speed air handler, mechanical duct dampers, and other upgrades. Mini-splits are inherently zoned. You don’t need the additional upgrades. Some homeowners even add mini-splits to homes with central HVAC. It’s a cheaper way to achieve zoning in bedrooms, sunrooms, finished basements, and so on.

Con: Takes Up Space in Living Areas

An advantage of central HVAC is that most of the interior equipment is out of sight. The blower, evaporator coil, and drip pan are usually in the attic. The return vents are usually in the ceilings or flooring. The typical indoor unit for mini-splits is wall-mounted. On the plus side, modern wall units are compact, and you can install them high on the wall near the ceiling. Still, they take up space in your bedrooms, living rooms, and other areas.

Pro: Energy Efficiency

Ductless mini-splits are among the most efficient HVAC solutions available for homes. Central HVAC systems are prone to air leakage in their ducts. Households can lose as much as 40% of their cooled and heated air through that leakage. Mini-splits don’t experience such losses. In addition, most homes in the U.S. with central HVAC don’t have zone control. Zoning is inherent with mini-splits and reduces annual heating and cooling costs by about 30%.

Con: High Maintenance Requirements

All HVAC systems require seasonal maintenance. That includes a heating tune-up in the fall and a cooling tune-up in the spring. That said, mini-split maintenance is more involved and expensive. With a central AC, there’s one blower to lubricate and one evaporator coil to clean. In a quad-zone mini-split setup, there are four blowers and four evaporator coils.

Pro: Energy Incentives

There are energy incentives through which you can lower your initial investment and recoup it sooner. Those include rebates and a federal tax credit. Most of these offers require you to install an ENERGY STAR-certified HVAC system. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awards this certification to equipment that meets its high energy efficiency standards. Central ACs and heat pumps can achieve certification, but the EPA generally reserves it for high-efficiency systems. Those are often much more expensive than standard models. Most mini-splits on the market, on the other hand, earn the ENERGY STAR label and are eligible for these incentives.

Con: Not Ideal for Large Areas

Central HVAC systems accommodate larger living areas very well. The installer just needs to add the number of vents necessary for that space. Configuring mini-splits for bigger areas, such as open-layout living rooms and kitchens, can be much more difficult. The standard wall unit can only project conditioned air so far. That can result in cold and warm spots. The solution may be to install multiple wall units or explore alternatives, such as ceiling mounts.

Pro: Long-Term Costs

While mini-splits cost more initially, they’re often worth it in the end. The operating costs are generally cheaper month to month. Mini-splits typically last longer as well. The average lifespan of a central AC is 15 years while the average lifespan of a ductless mini-split is 20 years.

Con: Expensive Alternative Mounting Options

Wall-mounted units are generally the cheapest option. Ceiling-mounted cassette units are a popular alternative but one that can drive up your initial costs considerably. This is an important consideration if, for instance, you have a large, open kitchen where wall units aren’t practical.

Ductless Mini-Split Installation in Colorado Springs

Alphalete Plumbing Drain Heating & Air provides HVAC services throughout Colorado Springs, CO, and the surrounding areas. Our NATE-certified HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair all brands and models of ductless air conditioners and heat pumps.

We provide those services for central ACs and heat pumps and fuel-burning and electric furnaces. Our repair technicians are available 24/7 for emergencies. We also provide a maintenance plan that can save you money on tune-ups and repairs.

Call today or contact us online with questions or to schedule an appointment for your cooling system.

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