When looking for a heating and cooling system for your dwelling, it’s essential to choose one that balances efficiency, performance and finances. That’s why many property owners use mini-splits to heat and cool their home.
Mini-splits—often known as ductless mini-splits—offer many advantages that make them an appealing option for both homes and businesses. They're very energy efficient, decreasing energy consumption and saving on utility costs, because they avoid the energy losses affiliated with the ductwork found in traditional HVAC systems. They also enable users to control the temperature in each room, improving overall comfort while saving energy.
If you’re considering mini-split installation in Crystal and Twin Cities, it’s worthwhile to first research if these devices are the right solution for your living situation. Here, we’ll explore how mini-splits stack up against other heating and cooling methods.
What a Mini-Split Is and How It Works
A mini-split, or ductless mini-split, is a heating and cooling device that has no ductwork. It's often used in homes that don't have existing air ducts and for homes with rooms that aren’t served well by the home's existing HVAC system.
A mini-split system is made of two major components: an outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air-handling component. The two are linked by a conduit carrying the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing and a condensate drain.
Here's how it works: the outdoor compressor distributes the refrigerant necessary for heat exchange throughout the coils and the air handler. The interior component brings in air from the room, cools or heats it over the coils and forces the conditioned air back into the room.
Mini-Split vs. Central Air
Mini-splits offer targeted cooling in specific rooms or zones of your home. They are outstanding for energy efficiency because they only heat or cool the areas you choose. However, they sometimes don't blend seamlessly into every room because of their wall-mounted indoor units.
On the other hand, a central air system uniformly cools your entire home, keeping consistent comfort levels throughout. Its ductwork is out of sight, preserving the appearance of your home. On the other hand, it may not be as energy efficient as a mini-split, especially in quite sizeable homes or residences where certain rooms may not need nonstop conditioning.
Mini-Split vs. Window AC/Window Unit
Mini-splits are often more energy efficient and not as loud as a window air conditioning unit and are useful for cooling air in multiple rooms. This is why mini-splits are a flexible alternative for countless homeowners. They also operate using a form of refrigerant that is more environment-friendly, reducing their environmental impact. These devices can even add value to your home due to their sturdy nature and superior cooling capabilities. However, they come with a higher up-front cost.
Having said that, window air conditioning units are less expensive up front. They might be a good fit for homes that are not able to accommodate a central AC system or for people with budget constraints. Despite these advantages, window units can consume up to 40% more energy than ductless mini-split systems and typically make more noise.
Mini-Split vs. Portable AC
The answer to what is better, a ductless mini-split or a portable air conditioning unit, will depend on on your goals. If your main worries are energy efficiency and cooling capability, a mini-split is considered far superior to a portable AC unit. However, if budget is a key concern, a portable AC has a lower initial investment.
Mini-Split vs. Gas Furnace
The choice between a mini-split system and a gas furnace depends on a variety of factors including the climate in your city, home size, energy efficiency preferences and budget.
A mini-split system typically is more energy efficient than a gas furnace. It can heat and cool targeted areas inside of your home, delivering custom climate control in individual rooms. Mini-splits also are normally quieter and have a higher up-front cost, but their operating costs are usually less due to their better energy efficiency.
However, a gas furnace can be a very effective heating solution, particularly in colder climates where mini-split heat pumps may struggle to maintain comfort levels in the bitter cold. Even though they are less energy efficient than mini-splits, gas furnaces likely are not as expensive. Having said that, their operating costs can be higher, especially if natural gas prices skyrocket.
Mini-Split vs. Heat Pump
Mini-splits and heat pumps function with the concept of heat transfer. They are both energy efficient, but a heat pump's ductwork can use more power. This difference aside, the choice between a mini-split and a heat pump often depends on individual needs and circumstances.
By way of example, if you live in a warmer climate and mainly need cooling, a mini-split system might be a good choice. But then again, if you want both heating and cooling and already have ductwork in your home, a heat pump could be a more efficient option.
Mini-Split vs. Space Heater
When it comes to heating and cooling a home, mini-splits and space heaters each have advantages. However, for all around efficiency, versatility, comfort and safety, mini-splits come out on top. Mini-splits provide superior energy efficiency due to the fact they deliver conditioned air straight to different zones and can serve numerous rooms at once.
Space heaters are far less expensive to buy but are typically recommended for heating a limited area or a single room. They also are usually less energy efficient. Unlike mini-splits, space heaters do not supply cooling. The biggest drawback for space heaters is the chance of fire. Experts say some 1,700 fires annually involve space heaters.
