Gone are the days of air conditioning upgrades requiring costly and complicated building alterations. Thanks to mini-split systems, you can easily switch to a convenient ductless system that offers immense versatility and efficiency.

However, not being well-informed about mini-split systems could cause you to miss out on the true value they offer. Read on for essential details about mini-splits, including whether a single system can serve your entire house.

Understanding Mini-Split Systems

Mini-splits consist of two main components: an outdoor compressor/condenser and one or more indoor air handlers. The indoor units are mounted on walls or ceilings and connected to the outdoor unit through refrigerant lines, unlike conventional central air units that rely on a network of ducts.

Typically, each mini-split compressor unit can serve up to eight air handlers, situated in different rooms of your home. This gives you the ability to control the temperature of individual compartments/heating zones — something that a traditional central air unit can’t do.

Determining Your Cooling Needs

There are certain factors that determine which mini-split configuration will best suit your home. The most critical of them are:

• Size
  Depending on how large (sum total of the square footage of all the rooms you wish to cool) your home is, a single high-capacity condenser may be most efficient for your air-conditioning needs. Otherwise, you’d be better off with multiple units of lower capacity.
• Layout
  A single compressor can accommodate up to eight indoor units. So, if your home has more than eight heating zones, you’ll need additional condensers to cover all areas.
• Insulation and Sun Exposure
  Rooms with good insulation maintain stable temperatures easily, reducing the strain on air-conditioning systems. Conversely, rooms exposed to significant sunlight tend to heat up, requiring extra cooling. So, depending on the insulation and sun exposure of your house, a single mini-split system may not suffice to cool your whole house.

Installing a Ductless Mini-Split System in Your Home

For optimal efficiency and cost-effectiveness, mini-split systems should be installed by professionals with the experience to properly evaluate your home’s specific elements and determine the most suitable configuration, be it a single or multi-unit system.

At Knight’s Mechanical, our team of specialists is ready to provide ample solutions for your HVAC needs. From remodeling to new construction projects, we’re passionate about delivering a unit that will meet your requirements and complement the surrounding aesthetics.