Your typical homeowner does not have the tools to do it or the instrumentation to take the measurements to know that it’s been done right.” Getting the right size unit is not as simple as calculating the area of a room, for example. Beyond that, De Stasio told us, “There is so much that can go wrong if it’s not professionally installed. For one thing, even a perfect DIY installation may void the unit’s warranty, exposing thousands of dollars of equipment to the risk of not being covered on a legitimate claim. It is technically possible to install a mini-split yourself-how-to videos on This Old House look straightforward enough, and there’s a forum full of Reddit homeowners who say they’ve done it-but self-installation is probably not worth the risk. Which one requires more energy? The variable speed motors in a mini-split are never at a dead stop.” De Stasio explained, “On a mild day, a mini-split will actually run on a slower speed than on a hot day and save you energy, where a window unit will just come on and off on and off.” (There are some window ACs that use variable-speed compressors, including our top pick, but those models are typically harder to come by.) He added that this constant cycling of the window unit “consume a massive amount of energy.” He explained: “Think of it like trying to push a car from a dead stop to 5 mph versus pushing it as it's already rolling forward. In addition, most quality mini-split systems, much like the best whole-house systems, use variable-speed motors in their compressors. There is none of the loud compressor hum that is typical of a window unit. With the system split between an indoor and outdoor unit, the only noise in the room is the fan needed to move air. We asked installers, manufacturers, and homeowners who have mini-split systems to tell us what anyone considering one would need to know.Īll these advantages of a mini-split add up to increased comfort, especially when compared to the (much more affordable) options for treating single rooms: window air conditioners and portable ACs. The exact mini-split equipment you need depends on your home’s unique heating and cooling requirements, and your options are limited to the qualified installers in your area-but we’ve researched this topic enough to be able to tell you about the scenarios when mini-split systems make sense and how to decide among the brands available. (Many local utility companies offer rebates to offset some of that.) They’re easier to install than a full ducted system, more efficient than window units or central HVAC, and they often make sense as a supplement to your existing heating and cooling equipment-giving a boost to an isolated area of your home.Īdd in thermostat-like controls alongside smart-home integration and mini-splits start to sound pretty great-but they aren’t cheap, with installation costs that can reach into the five figures. A mini-split is an efficient, scalable way to add cooling or heating to specific rooms of a home.Īlso known as ductless mini-split air conditioners and heaters, they consist of one or more wall, floor, or ceiling-mounted indoor units connected to an outdoor compressor.
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