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Ductless mini split air conditioners are among the most popular home climate control solutions in today’s market. Although they are known for their energy efficiency and zoning capabilities, you may wonder how a mini split works and whether this system is a good choice for cooling and heating the entire home. As you explore your heating and cooling options, consider these five surprising benefits of a whole-house mini split.
1. Save on Energy Costs
Air conditioning systems sold in the United States are tested and rated using the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). SEER ratings are number values calculated by dividing the unit’s total cooling output during a typical season by the energy consumed during that season. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the unit is.
The Department of Energy imposes a minimum SEER rating requirement for split-system air conditioners installed since 2015: SEER 13 for the northern states and SEER 14 for the southern states. The biggest benefit of mini split AC systems is their high energy efficiency. Typical single-zone mini split systems have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) between 15 and 18, and many high-quality products reach over 20. In comparison, older ducted systems have a SEER rating of 8 to 10.
For example, a MRCOOL-branded 12,000 BTU single-zone system features a SEER rating of 22. Compared to a system of the same capacity with a SEER rating of 13, the MRCOOL system will produce the same cooling power but reduce your energy expenditure by approximately 41%. Even whole-home multi-zone packages retain high energy efficiency. Premium Home Source carries a selection of high-capacity 5-zone systems with SEER ratings of 20 or more.
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2. Easy to Scale
Mini split systems are naturally modular, allowing homeowners to install and remove indoor units as needed, provided the outdoor unit has enough power and capacity to serve every indoor unit at once. For example, if you are installing a quad-zone system in your home, you can run a tri-zone if one of the rooms isn’t ready for installation, such as an attic still under construction. When the fourth room is ready to receive the indoor unit, you can install it without losing efficiency.
If your mini split system has enough capacity to support it, you can also scale up and install additional zones and indoor units without buying a new package. For example, if you currently have a dual-zone system and your outdoor unit has enough capacity to support an extra indoor air handler, you can connect a third indoor unit to your existing system and convert it into a tri-zone.
Stay Cool with a MRCOOL Mini Split3. Whole-Home Zoning
In homes with older, ducted central air conditioners, turning the AC on will send cool air into every room equipped with an air duct, regardless of whether they are currently in use. You also cannot regulate each room for different temperatures or fan speeds. Installing a whole-home mini split AC allows you to divide the entire house into separate zones, each with an indoor unit, a remote control and independent temperature and fan settings. You can configure each zone for specific comfort needs.
This feature is ideal for ending the thermostat wars and ensuring that each zone can meet different climate preferences instead of relying on a single overall temperature as a compromise. It also helps you save more energy by turning off the AC in rooms you aren’t currently using.
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4. Improve Air Quality
If you have older family members living at home, ensuring the air they breathe is clean and safe is critical. Studies have shown that age is a risk factor for respiratory and pulmonary complications. A high-quality mini split AC system helps improve your home’s indoor air quality. Quality products pack their indoor units with filtration systems to ensure the climate-controlled air sent into each zone is clean and free of impurities, pathogens and other contaminants. All MRCOOL DIY mini split heat pumps come out of the box with integrated air freshening filters already installed in the indoor units.
Browse Our HVAC Accessories5. Whisper-Quiet Operation
Older ducted AC systems produce a noticeable “whoosh” noise when the system turns on, which reverbs throughout the ducts. Depending on the system’s age and configuration, this sound generates a noise level up to 70 dB (decibels), approximately equivalent to a busy office.
This noise level is sufficiently loud to disturb sleep patterns and reduce your sleep quality.
Mini split air conditioners are ductless systems that generate significantly less noise than ducted systems, making them more suitable for use in bedrooms and other quiet areas of your home. On average, a mini split AC generates 32 dB, ranging between 25 dB at low fan speeds and 40 dB at maximum load. Even when deploying maximum cooling, your mini split system never generates more noise than a refrigerator or a quiet library.
Find the Ideal Home Climate Control System at Premium Home Source
At Premium Home Source, we provide American homeowners with the best selection of home and kitchen appliances. Keeping your home’s indoor atmosphere at the perfect temperature is essential. We offer a selection of the highest-quality home cooling and heating systems by trusted manufacturers such as MRCOOL, Pioneer and Dimplex. For more information on our products and services, contact our support staff at (800) 805-7102.