Thanks to ductless mini-split ACs, many homeowners are enjoying money savings, increased comfort, and improved air quality. These energy-efficient air conditioning systems allow you to regulate the temperature in each individual zone of your house. Whether you already have this type of air conditioner in your home or you are considering installing it, you might be wondering how ductless mini-split ACs work. Below, the HVAC experts at Premier Indoor Comfort Systems have explained what these systems are made of and how they work to effectively cool your home.
Main Components
Ductless mini-splits are composed of two main parts: the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.
Indoor Unit
All mini-split indoor units contain a fan and an evaporator coil. The fan sends warm air and moisture from your home over the evaporator coil, which contains refrigerant. The refrigerant in the evaporator coil absorbs the heat from the air and delivers it to the outdoor unit.
Indoor units are available in multiple cabinet designs, including ceiling cassettes, duct mounts, and wall mounts.
Outdoor Unit
A conduit connects the indoor unit to the outdoor unit. The conduit is a long tube that contains the power and communication cables, refrigerant tubing, copper tubing, and condensate drain. It carries and delivers electrical power to both units and sends all heat and moisture from inside your home to your condenser, also known as the outdoor unit. The outdoor unit sends all of the heat from inside your home to the outside environment.
Your outdoor unit is made up of following three main components:
- Compressor: The compressor efficiently transfers thermal heat by condensing low-pressure gas into high-pressure gas. It is considered to be the heart of the AC system.
- Condensing Coil: This aluminum component is designed to efficiently convert hot refrigerant from a high-pressure gas to a high-pressure liquid.
- Fan: The fan draws air from the condensing coil and also helps send excess heat energy into the outside environment.
Ductless ACs vs. Central ACs
Essentially, ductless mini-split air conditioners function the same way as central air conditioners, but without ducts. Both systems cool homes by bringing warm air from outside into your home, absorbing the heating and moisture from the air, then sending the heat and moisture back outside. Central ACs blow the air into your home through ducts, cooling the entire home at once. Ductless ACs blow cold air into individual rooms in your home.
Call Premier Indoor Comfort Systems at (770) 268-2422 or contact us online to schedule ductless mini-split AC installation or repair.