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Ductless Mini Splits What
Are They?
What are Ductless mini splits?
Have you ever wondered what a ductless mini split is and how it works?
A ductless mini split is a mechanical system that produces very efficient heating and cooling for a home, garage, vacation cabin or shop.
The key part that makes the duct less mini split such a popular choice with today’s consumer is the compressor unit, which is a mechanical device that removes the heat energy from your home in the summer and transfers it to the outside, thereby cooling the air and reducing the humidity in your home. In the winter the opposite action takes place, taking the heat energy from the outside air and transferring it into the home creating heat. These compressors are ultra efficient to operate and unlike conventional air conditioning compressors, will modulate like the cruise control in your car allowing greater indoor air control and comfort.
The ductless mini split is a two-part system with the 1st part, the condenser, being located outside of the home, and the 2nd part, the evaporator or head unit, located on a wall or multiple walls inside the home.
There is typically a connecting conduit between the indoor and outdoor components that is located on the exterior of the home which can usually be matched to the home exterior color.
Another plus for the ductless mini splits is how quietly these systems operate. The outdoor units typically run under 50 decibels and the indoor units at 30 or less decibels which is at typical library sound levels.
Standard temp unit’s vs low temp units:
The Standard temperature units will provide cooling plus efficient heating with outdoor temperatures down into the teens Fahrenheit. These units would be a good choice for homes that have the newer more energy efficient primary heat sources.
In northern Minnesota the most common temperatures range between 30°F and 40°F. These occur mostly during the shoulder seasons, spring and fall and if the primary heat source is a hot water boiler with radiant heat, the ductless mini split will take care of delivering very efficient heat in the mornings and evenings without having to fire up the primary heat source which can take a while to dissipate evenly. This is true especially when the heat of the sun isn't felt until mid-day.
Low temperature ductless mini splits have the ability to provide efficient heating down into the -10°F to -15°F range and are becoming more popular as the primary heat source for customers that have high heat bills with standard electric heating units such as wall baseboards and electric furnaces.
With the installation of a low temp ductless mini split the standard electrical units become the back-up, in the event of a sustained cold spell with wind chills down to the -10° to -15° range. The low temp units are also becoming popular with lake homes and cottages that do not need the indoor temps much above freezing while unoccupied.
Ductless mini-split applications:
There are numerous applications for the ductless mini split. In most northern parts of the states, hot water boilers or radiant heat units are commonly used to heat residences and commercial buildings.
In many cases homes that have hot water heat do not have the necessary duct work to install conventional air conditioning and many home owners need to resort to using window units for air conditioning. Window units are noisy, expensive to operate, and cosmetically unappealing. Most ductless mini split systems allow for the use of up to 4 indoor head units per 1 outdoor condenser unit which allows for individual room control.
The ductless mini split is a perfect option for homes that have slab on-grade construction which typically uses in floor heat to heat the home. In these situations it would be difficult to install duct work where needed for conventional air conditioning systems.
Another application that has become more popular is installations in garages or shops. In the Northland, the summers can be quite humid, creating unwanted condensation and mold issues. The ductless mini split is the perfect solution for keeping your garage humidity levels down plus allowing the space to stay comfortable all year.
Lastly, seasonal cabins or cottages are also a great application for the ductless mini split, as many times the cabins are not occupied during cold winter months and just need to be kept at a minimal temperature to prevent freeze ups. These will provide excellent cooling during the weeks of unbearable muggy sleeping conditions and if needed can be turned up remotely before arrival if the residence has a Wi-Fi connection and if the thermostat has the Wi-Fi enabled feature.
Rebates and incentives:
Depending on where your residence or commercial property is located and what equipment gets installed, in most cases you have several federal, state and local utilities that are now offering substantial incentives, making the ductless mini split a great option, which not only provides comfort and peace of mind, but also a great return on investment, making them a very popular choice for heating and cooling.
How to get more information:
ASP has more than 20 years of experience installing ductless mini splits and we have teamed up with Daikin industries the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of air conditioning equipment.
ASP has experienced and trained comfort advisors ready to assist you with your design and will answer any questions you may have as well as show you the payment plan options and available rebates.
Please call us today at 218-724-4412 with any questions. We would love to assist you with the installation of a Daikin ductless mini split today.
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