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Ductless Heating & Air Conditioning  – How it Works

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Effortless Comfort: Heating and Cooling with Ductless Mini-Splits Heat Pumps

Ductless mini-split systems offer an efficient and flexible solution for home heating and cooling, providing year-round comfort without the need for extensive ductwork. These energy-efficient systems consist of an outdoor compressor and one or more indoor air-handling units, which are connected by a small conduit. Unlike traditional HVAC systems, mini-splits deliver zoned climate control, allowing homeowners to customize the temperature in individual rooms or areas. With their sleek design, quiet operation, and potential for lower energy bills, ductless mini-splits are an ideal choice for enhancing comfort while maintaining energy efficiency. Perfect for retrofits, home additions, or spaces without ducts, mini-splits combine modern technology with convenience.

diagram, schematic

A mini-split system cools your home using a continuous refrigeration cycle:

  • Refrigerant Flow: Liquid refrigerant moves from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit through connected lines.
  • Cooling Coils: Inside, the refrigerant expands into a gas, cooling the evaporator coils.
  • Air Cooling: Warm indoor air is pulled in, passed over the cold coils, and cooled. This process also removes humidity, and the cool air is then circulated back into your space.
  • Heat Transfer: The gas refrigerant carries heat back to the outdoor unit.
  • Heat Release: In the outdoor unit, the refrigerant is compressed, releasing heat before turning back into a liquid.
  • Cycle Repeats: The liquid refrigerant returns inside, and the process repeats until the desired temperature is reached.

In a nutshell: Refrigerant absorbs heat from indoor air during expansion and transfers it outside. The outdoor unit's compressor releases this heat from the refrigerant, repeating the cycle continuously.

This efficient cycle keeps your home cool and comfortable.

diagram

How can a mini split air conditioner also heat?

Mini splits can heat and cool by reversing the refrigeration cycle using a special switch called a reversing valve. Here's how it works:

  • Cooling Mode: The refrigerant absorbs heat from inside your home and expels it outside.
  • Heating Mode: The process is reversed—the system extracts heat from the outdoor air and brings it indoors, even in cold weather.

Key steps in heating mode:

  1. Refrigerant absorbs outdoor heat.
  2. The hot refrigerant flows inside, warming the indoor coils.
  3. A blower pushes warm air into your home.

Even in temperatures below 50°F, the system effectively pulls heat from the air to keep your home comfortable. Mini splits are versatile and efficient year-round!