When it gets painfully hot outside–especially in August–I tend to think about all the people who have spent the summer sweating it out because they think it’s impossible to install air conditioning in their homes.  I’ve spoken to many customers who have given up on regulating the temperature in their “hard-to-cool, hard-to-heat” family room, bedroom, office, you name it—and literally stopped using them because the room’s temperature was too uncomfortable.  What a waste of real estate!

What’s more, chances are there is a way to give them the comfort they’re looking for at a reasonable price – they’re just not aware of it.  Let me tell you about mini-split heating and cooling systems and how they’re a godsend for many families in this area.

Similar to standard heat pumps and condensing units, mini splits have two main components: an outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air-handling unit.  The indoor and outdoor units are linked by discreet tubing, which houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing and a condensate drain.

Mini-splits have several distinct benefits that make them a fantastic solution in certain applications. For instance:

  • Mini splits have no ducts so they are an excellent retrofit solution for homes without existing ductwork. Often, these homes were originally designed to use hydronic, radiant or electric baseboard heat. Mini-splits are an efficient alternative. (As an added bonus, there is none of the energy loss from ductwork associated with forced air systems.)
  • Mini-splits are an ideal fit for home additions. Hooking an addition into the existing heating and cooling system might cause an overload because of the increase in square footage. On the other hand, certain mini-split models can have as many as four (or even more) indoor air-handling units (for four zones or rooms) connected to one outdoor unit. Their small size and flexibility is perfect for zoning or heating and cooling individual rooms without overwhelming the existing central system.
  • We often recommend mini-splits as a solution for problem areas where the space is never quite comfortable enough for the homeowner. If other attempts at fixing the problem have failed, mini-splits are usually what saves the day. Another popular application is with rooms or areas that aren’t utilized often, such as an exercise room, a pool house or a guest apartment. Since each zone has its own thermostat, you can heat and cool only the rooms you are currently using. This can easily save on energy and money.
  • Most manufacturers offer a variety of lengths of connecting conduits, so that you can locate the outdoor unit as far away as 50 feet from the indoor evaporator unit. This way, you have the flexibility to cool rooms in the front of the house and tuck away the outdoor unit in an inconspicuous spot.
  • Mini-splits offer a wealth of interior design flexibility. Say goodbye to unsightly window ACs or wall cutouts! The indoor air handlers can be suspended from a ceiling, hung inconspicuously on a wall or mounted flush into a drop ceiling. Floor-standing models are also available. Indoor units are usually approximately seven inches deep and have a sleek, unobtrusive appearance. Many models come with a remote control option for easier accessibility in case the air handler is positioned high on a wall or suspended from a ceiling.
  • The inside environment is quiet and serene because the compressor and motor is housed outside, just like the operation of a conventional central air conditioning system.

It’s important to keep in mind that the overall operation of any heating and cooling system directly relates to the quality of the installation.  In other words, choose your HVAC contractor wisely to ensure your mini-split keeps on working properly.

Have you been feeling hot and sweaty when you should be feeling cool and comfortable in your own home?  Are you shying away from certain areas of your house because of the temperature? You deserve better.  Take it from the Coop – call Cooper Mechanical and let us help you get through this heat wave. You’ll be as cool as a cucumber in no time. And should your system fail, our AC repair techs in Ottsville will be on the scene.

Want more information from our AC repair experts and plumbers based near Doylestown, PA? Give us a call at 610-228-4405 to speak with a representative today.