By now, you’ve likely at least seen a ductless mini-split in action somewhere. You may have even considered installing one in your Richmond, KY home. However, you may not be thoroughly familiar with how mini-splits work. To remedy that, here’s a look at the inner workings of mini-splits and how they provide efficient heating and cooling.
What Is a Ductless Mini-Split?
As the name suggests, a ductless mini-split is an HVAC system that doesn’t need ductwork. To work without ductwork, a mini-split uses similar components to a ducted HVAC, but arranged differently. To begin with, a mini-split has an outdoor unit that’s much like the ones belonging to most central ACs. However, mini-split outdoor units are typically smaller and have a sideways-mounted fan. That makes them wall-mountable, unlike traditional HVAC outdoor units.
In place of a single centralized air handler, mini-splits rely on one or more wall-mounted versions. Each mini-split air handler contains a miniaturized version of the components found in a traditional HVAC air handler. That includes a blower fan, a heat exchanger coil, an air filter, and a condensate drain. However, mini-split air handlers also have independent thermostats and temperature controls.
How Ductless Mini-Splits Work
When shopping for a mini-split, you’ll find models that offer only AC and those that provide both heating and cooling. The difference is that the latter uses heat pump technology. That means they can reverse the flow of their refrigerant to collect heat outside and bring it inside. Both types of mini-splits, however, rely on the same principles to function.
The Mini-Split Cooling Mode
The core of any mini-split’s operation is the refrigeration cycle. In cooling mode, the cycle begins with the mini-split passing its refrigerant through an expansion valve. That reduces its pressure, lowering its temperature in the process. The cold refrigerant then travels to the air handler that is in cooling mode. If you have multiple air handlers running, the outdoor unit sends the appropriate volume of refrigerant to each.
When the refrigerant reaches the air handler, it activates its blower fan as the refrigerant fills the heat exchanger coil. In cooling mode, an air handler’s coil works as an evaporator coil. As the blower fan pushes warm air over the coil, the refrigerant absorbs heat from it, cooling the air. As that happens, moisture from the warm air condenses on the coil and drips into a pan. The collected condensate leaves the air handler via its drain line. When the refrigerant in the coil absorbs enough heat, it boils into a vapor and proceeds to the outdoor unit.
When the warm refrigerant vapor reaches the outdoor unit, the unit’s compressor raises its pressure and temperature. Then, it passes into the large heat exchanger coil in the outdoor unit. In cooling mode, the outdoor coil functions as a condenser coil. As the hot gaseous refrigerant fills the coil, the outdoor unit’s large fan pushes outside air through the coil’s fins. That helps the refrigerant shed its collected heat, eventually condensing back into liquid form. From there, it’s ready to start the cooling process again.
The Mini-Split Heating Mode
A heat pump mini-split contains a component called a reversing valve, which is absent in AC-only models. When you switch a mini-split into heating mode, the reversing valve changes its position. That reroutes the flow of refrigerant to send the low-pressure cold refrigerant through the outdoor coil first. That, in effect, turns the outdoor coil into an evaporator coil. Then, while the outdoor unit’s fan blows outside air over the coil, the cold liquid refrigerant absorbs heat energy.
The cold refrigerant can collect heat energy outside, even on a chilly day, because it’s cooler than the air. After collecting enough heat, the refrigerant boils into a warm gas and moves through the compressor. That increases its pressure and temperature, making it hot enough to heat the inside of your home. When the hot gaseous refrigerant reaches a running air handler, it sheds its heat into the cold air pushed through the unit by its blower fan. As that happens, the refrigerant condenses back into a liquid. From there, it can pass through the expansion valve to restart the heating process.
Local Ductless Mini-Split Experts
If you’re interested in having a ductless mini-split installed in your Richmond home, we can help. We’ve served local homeowners since 2012, and carry the latest ductless mini-splits from respected manufacturers like Lennox. That, combined with our highly trained and experienced HVAC technicians, makes us the best choice for mini-split AC installation in the area. If you’re looking for a new mini-split or heat pump for your Richmond home, contact Affordable Service Solutions Heating & Air Conditioning today.
