Guidebook to Mini-Split Air Conditioners: What They Are and How They Work
The majority of homeowners are most familiar with central air conditioners.
Mini-split systems are a kind of ductless heating and cooling. Instead of providing conditioned air to the complete residence through a network of air ducts, they heat and cool one room at a time. This delivers more advanced temperature control, improving comfort and energy efficiency.
How Do Mini-Split Air Conditioners Work?
Mini-splits are most like heat pumps in the way they run. Both kinds of equipment provide electric cooling, similar to an air conditioner. This requires using refrigerant to remove heat from inside a building and exhausting that warm air outside. Then, a reversing valve permits the system to work backward, heating your residence in the winter by pulling heat from outdoor air and depositing it inside.
The main distinction between mini-splits and heat pumps is that mini-split systems don’t need ductwork. As an alternative, the indoor unit has a built-in air handler, which mounts directly to the wall or ceiling in the area you want to heat and cool. Copper tubes, wiring and a condensate drain line link to an outdoor condensing unit through a small conduit in the wall. This exterior component looks much like an air conditioner or heat pump condenser.
More than one indoor unit can connect to a single outdoor condenser, permitting you to heat and cool your complete home with this system if if you want. This set-up also makes zoning practical, an extremely popular feature that lets you customize when, where and how much you heat and cool specific areas.

Is a Ductless Mini-Split Right for My House?
Mini-splits are a great choice for the majority of households. Consider these reasons why getting a ductless mini-split may be a smart choice for your needs:
- You can heat and cool an entire house that doesn’t have existing ductwork.
- You’ll be able to shut off the heat and air conditioning in unoccupied spaces to save on your energy expenses.
- Mini-splits deliver extra heating and cooling for areas that are tricky to keep comfy.
- Use a ductless system to heat and cool a residence addition or enclosed porch without the hassle of installing ductwork or the inconvenience of using window AC units.
- Mini splits are the natural choice for spaces where overhead ductwork is impractical. A few examples might be period homes, tiny homes, temperature controlled sheds or workshops, or garage conversions.
What are the Benefits of a Mini-Split System?
Ductless mini-splits are extremely effective systems, but you could still be considering why you would want to choose it over a traditional furnace and air conditioner. Here’s why a large number of the U.S. homeowners are getting ductless mini-splits:
- Avoid the drawbacks of ductwork: By giving heated and cooled air directly, air doesn’t go through holey air ducts on its way to each room. This can save you nearly 30 percent on your heating and cooling bills. Also, if your house doesn’t already have ducts, you avoid the hassle and price connected to installing them.
- Choose the best setting for every room: With zoned heating and cooling from a ductless mini-split, you can keep an office chilly while maintaining a cozy nursery—all while maximizing energy efficiency.
- Save money and energy by not heating and cooling empty spaces: Shutting supply registers in a central HVAC system can throw it off kilter, straining the equipment and invalidating any possible savings. But with detached air handlers in each room, you can heat and cool specific rooms only when you need them.
Trust Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to Install Your Mini-Split Air Conditioner
As with standard HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits call for careful sizing and Expert installation to provide the best performance. Our knowledgeable mini split installers in the U.S. can help you figure out if a mini-split system will fit your needs. We can then help you with finding the precise equipment size and model to make your home as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible.
For extra information, or to book an appointment, get in touch with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing at 866-397-3787. You can also schedule an appointment online.