Summers in Sacramento require air conditioning, but when you have a space that’s hard to cool (or heat), the ductless mini split is an option. The ductless mini split is a heat pump designed to deliver conditioned air to a space that has no ductwork. If you’re remodeling or adding to your home, this system is an energy-efficient solution when extending ducts is difficult or too expensive.

Like any other heat pump, the mini split removes heat from your home when it’s hot outside. When it’s cold outside, the mini split extracts warmth from the outdoor air and delivers it to your home. The ductless mini split has a condenser, which is outside, and up to four air handlers inside, which can be mounted in various configurations. A conduit connects the inside and outside parts.

Your ductless mini split should have a seasonal energy efficiency ratio of at least 13. The higher the rating, the more efficient your unit will be. Because you will be using your mini split for heating as well, also weigh the heating seasonal performance factor. It should be at least 7.7. Because the system requires no ductwork — and you’ll have no air leakage — your system’s efficiency will be maximized. Each indoor air handler, meanwhile, can be operated individually, which means you can keep each space warmer or cooler than the others if you choose.

A feature that can boost the energy efficiency of your ductless mini split is a variable-speed motor, which uses a fraction of the electricity a single-speed motor uses and runs more quietly.

Mini split installation is relatively simple, as no ductwork is involved. Installation, however, does require going through a wall to accommodate the exterior-interior connection. In addition, many homeowners choose to have their air handlers wall-mounted.

If you would like to learn more about ductless mini splits and how they can help you with cooling challenges, contact us at All Year Heating, Air & Solar. We’ve been providing HVAC services to homeowners in greater Sacramento since 1966.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.