There are many elements of nature we just can’t control; we can’t stop the sun from shining, rain from falling or wind from blowing. Maybe a hundred years ago, this would have been a huge problem, but the 21st-century man is blessed with technology that makes all the difference. Regardless of how hot or cold it is, a Mini Split AC substantially provides fresh or warm air and focuses on altering the temperature in a particular space, making it a lot more comfortable.
Besides, these portable units can be installed anywhere in the home, and practically require less maintenance while consistently promising durability. Of course, durability and functionality lie more on the make and brand, than the general technology itself. That’s why we are here, to concisely walk you through some of the best Mini Split AC Units to consider when looking for a reliable choice.
What Does Mini Split System Air Conditioner Consist Of?
The mini split system keeps all the noise and the fuss outside the house. The unit inside the house is as quiet, comfortable, and energy-efficient as it gets.
The mini split AC is made out of 4 parts:
Outdoor unit
The compressor enables the compression of the refrigerant. Usually attached to the outer wall.
Indoor unit
Quiet and elegant part mounted on the inside wall (bedroom wall, bathroom wall, basement wall, etc.). It consists of cooling coils, an air filter, and a blower.
Refrigerant lines (connection between outdoor and indoor unit)
These lines enable the exchange of the refrigerant between the two units. To install it, you need to drill a hole in your wall. Hint: If you can do that yourself, there’s a good chance you can DIY mini split AC installation.
Remote control or/and mobile app
You can lower or raise the temperature, set a programmable timer, and so on with remote control. With smart mini split ACs, you can connect your smartphone and control the whole AC with a simple app.
You always have 1 outdoor unit, but you can connect more than 1 indoor unit. The most powerful (and expensive) devices will be able to handle up to 5 indoor units.
Nonetheless, most people require a 1 zone mini split AC. That’s why the table of the best ductless units below consists solemnly of the 1 zone mini split AC systems.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Ductless AC?
The benefits of using a ductless air conditioner instead of ducted one or room air conditioners are quite obvious:
No ducts
That is as obvious as it gets; the ductless unit can help the central air conditioner or as a stand-alone AC.
Zone cooling. You can actually pick the room you want to cool down. Do you want to cool down the bedroom? Just install the inside unit on your bedroom wall. You don’t even need a window – this makes a perfect air conditioner for basements. You just need to drill a hole in the wall.
Quietness
The outdoor unit creates all the noise (because it contains the compressor). That means that the indoor mini split AC unit is quiet as a cat. The noise levels even go below 50 dB; this noise level window air conditioner or portable ones can’t match.
Superb energy-efficiency
The big brands offer mini split units with a SEER rating of 20 or more, which is incredible. With zone cooling, you don’t need to waste the cooling effect on parts of your house; you don’t need to be cooled.
Heating
One of the best benefits of ductless AC units is that they often include a high-efficient heater for winter. You can basically use the air conditioner for heating as well.
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Features To Look For In Mini Split Air Conditioners
BTUs
BTUs refer to the British Thermal Units, which measure the amount of heat the unit can remove from a room; this function is measured in hours. BTU ratings are used by most companies to show the conditioning units’ power capacity. This rating determines how fast the room gets cool, especially in warmer climates. When users know the amount of cold air the Split air conditioner can produce, it’s easier to tell if that unit would serve their needs or not.
When checking the BTU rating, the space capacity, as well as the age of the house and climate, are essential. There’s a mini-split AC sizing chart that shows how much BTU you should be looking at depending on the size of the house, and the climate you live in.
For warm climates, refer to the chart and add 30% for areas that are warmer than 90 degrees F. For cold regions that are purely insulated, or places in the house like attics or basements that mostly have less insulation, add 20% to the BTU’s listed on the chart. Simply search for the general chart online and compare the BTU’s required per hour for the size of your space.
Control
Split unit air conditioners are usually installed high up on the walls, close to the height of the ceiling, this angle provides an advantage when circulating cold air through the room. Unlike standing units that are easily accessible and not so high up, ductless air conditioners would need to be operated with more convenience. In this regard, remote control is required to adjust settings, power on and off, switch the swing features, and more.
Some remote controls have more functions available than the others and equally, boast of enhanced user-friendly design that makes them more elegant and functional. It’s best to check out the features on the remote as well to enjoy all-round efficiency and utmost convenience.
Energy Efficiency
Many homeowners are concerned with how much energy their electrical appliances are consuming, at the end of the day, no one really sees that their electricity bills have racked up because of appliances that are not energy efficient. Most brands know how much this feature means to consumers, and therefore mostly include energy-saving technology that won’t compromise on performance. So, you can still enjoy a cool and more comfortable home without having a mini-heart attack when the bills come in.
Installation
Mini split air conditioners may seem a lot simpler than central ac units; this is no reason to attempt to install it yourself. As far as it goes, most mini-split units would require professional help either from the company or the local technician.
Split units come with separate parts that operate from outside and inside the room. The exterior unit houses the compressor while the interior unit performs the cooling. DIY enthusiasts who don’t have experience with HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units) may need more than the manual to get things set up and should consider getting a technician.
Temperature Range
With traditional models of air conditioners, there was limited control over the temperature levels. A room could either get too hot or cold with the controls allowing users to switch the unit on and off simply. With these newer models, there are more customized controls that put people in charge of the temperature intensity.
Many brands have introduced cool functions that don’t just increase and decrease temperatures but swing functions as well. Some even come with dehumidifying features for homes as well as other functions like fan-only and sleep functions that contribute to the overall convenience these split units promise to offer.
Zone Design
Many choose central AC units over split units for mainly one reason; it’s the ability to cool the home with just one unit. What most of them don’t know is that mini-split systems can do the exact thing, and this is where zone design comes in. Ductless air conditioners come in two major designs and set-ups; single and multi-zone units.
Single zone air conditioners are the most popular and come with the capacity to cool just one room, as the name implies. Multi-zone units are designed to cool more than one room at a time, and some models could even cool/warm an entire house. When deciding on which zone design to buy, consider how ample the space is, your budget, and how necessary getting a multi-zone design would be.
Compressor
The outdoor portion of a mini split air conditioner is called a compressor, and you can typically choose between two types: a rotary compressor and an inverter compressor.
Rotary compressors are the most common type; they essentially turn the air conditioner on and off to regulate temperature. The air conditioner initially operates at full power to cool the room; it then cycles on and off based on the temperature.
Inverted compressors offer a newer technology that helps save energy. These compressors don’t automatically turn on at full power; rather, they use only the amount of energy necessary to reach the desired temperature. You’ll pay more money upfront for an inverter compressor, but you may find the long-term energy savings make it a worthwhile investment.
Modes
All mini split air conditioners have a cooling mode, but some models offer additional functions to help make your home as comfortable as possible. You may want to look for an air conditioner that features the following modes.
Heat mode: You won’t need a separate heater if your mini split air conditioner allows you to heat your home during the winter.
Fan mode: When you want to circulate air through your home, you can switch on the fan mode without any cooling action.
Automatic mode: An automatic mode senses the ambient temperature of the room and automatically selects the most appropriate temperature setting to help make the space more comfortable.
Dehumidify mode: If you live in a particularly humid climate, a mini split air conditioner can help remove excess moisture from the air.
Filters
Like any air conditioner, a mini split air conditioner requires filters for proper operation. To save money, choose a model with reusable filters that you can clean and put back in the unit rather than those that must be replaced. Filters can be fairly expensive, so if you have to replace them, it can add to the operating cost of the unit.
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MINI SPLIT AIR CONDITIONER PRICES
Mini split air conditioner prices usually vary based on how many BTUs they offer. In general, you can expect to pay $600 to $3,500 for a single-zone unit.
A mini split air conditioner with 5,000 to 9,000 BTUs generally costs somewhere between $600 and $750. We don’t recommend investing in a mini split air conditioner that costs less than this unless you’ve come upon a great sale. Systems that put out between 9,000 and 12,000 BTUs can cost up to $1,000.
For a system that puts out 12,000 to 18,000 BTUs, you could spend anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000. Over 18,000 BTUs, you could pay as much as $3,500.
Keep in mind that these prices are for single-zone mini split air conditioners. With every zone that you choose to add, the price will increase.
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Ductless Air Conditioner vs. Heat Pump
Before you go off and try to purchase a mini split, you’ll first need to decide if you want one that will do both heating and cooling or one just to cool the air.
Choosing a heat pump versus an air conditioner is pretty simple. Cooling-only mini split systems are typically found in tropical or desert climates as well as special applications like server rooms.
Mini split heat pumps are the most popular choice as they can be used anywhere to cool in the summer with the option of heating in the winter.
Challenges in Extreme Weather
When the temperature outside goes to extremes, it can inhibit a mini split system’s capacity.
Just as extreme heat in the summer makes it difficult for an air conditioner to cool, when temperatures drop below freezing in the winter, capturing heat also becomes difficult.
In either case, there is a decline in both efficiency and performance which is why it’s important to get the proper-sized equipment and be prepared for every season.
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FAQs
Can You Install a Mini Split System Yourself?
Yes, a DIY mini split system can be installed by any handy type of person looking to save on installation cost.
A good kit will come with everything for an install except for the tools and electrical wiring.
There are several DIY kits available that come in all price ranges and SEER ratings.
How Hard is it To Install a Mini Split System?
Depending on your skill level with general construction installing a mini split can be hard or easy. You will need to use drills, saws, along with HVAC tools such as a vacuum pump and gauges.
Installing a mini split requires running electrical from a panel, drilling a 3-inch hole in the wall, running control lines, a line-set, and more.
There are many YouTube videos to watch and see if you have the skill level to install a unit. Calling an HVAC company and getting a quote to do an install likely is best for most people.
How Long Do Mini Split Air Conditioners Last?
Mini Split systems have a long lifespan with the average unit lasting 15-20 years. This is well above a traditional HVAC home system that lasts an average of 10-15 years.
Of course, how well maintained the unit is and the climate will have an outcome for how long it will last. Changing out the indoor filter and keeping debris away from the outside condenser should be part of regular maintenance.
Some brand names do last longer since they are better built such as Daikin or Mitsubishi units.
With that said I have seen low-cost brand names keep working for many years and known brand name units break down. If you have the money one of the quality brand names such as Mitsubishi would likely be best. If you are on a budget the Pioneer or Senville units will likely be best.
When installed properly and with the right maintenance almost any mini split brand name will last many years heating and cooling.
Where can I have the indoor component of a mini split air conditioner installed?
The indoor air handling units for a mini split air conditioner are typically installed horizontally on the wall. You can have the component installed flush with your ceiling if you prefer, though this type of installation doesn’t work with all ceilings. It’s also possible to have the unit mounted to a ceiling stud or even in a vertical upright position on a floor. Keep in mind that these customized installations typically cost more.
