- How does a Ductless Split system work?
- What are the main components of a Ductless Split system?
- How is ductless different from central air conditioning?
- What is “Zone control”?
- What are the benefits of Ductless Split systems?
With a ductless split system, an indoor unit is connected by simple copper tubing and electrical wiring to a separately installed outdoor unit. Refrigerant is pumped from the outdoor condenser coil and compressor through the tubing to the indoor unit or units. A fan then quietly distributes cool air drawn across the unit’s evaporator coil.
A ductless split cooling system consists of four major components:
- The condensing unit, which contains the compressor, is located outside the building.
- Thin refrigerant lines, usually copper tubing, connects the outdoor unit to the indoor unit or units
- The indoor unit or units, each with a fan, come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be wall or ceiling mounted.
- A hand-held remote or hardwired wall monitor controls the entire system
A thermostat contained in the indoor unit and regulated by an infrared remote control, like a TV remote, can control the amount of cold air entering the room. One room or one area of a building can maintain a different temperature from another room or area in the same building.
In a central air conditioning system, refrigerant is pumped from the outdoor condenser coil indoors to a single indoor coil from which cooled air is distributed to each room through a system of ducts. In many houses and businesses, the amount of cold air in one room cannot be regulated without changing the temperature of every room in the building.
Ductless Split cooling systems offer room-by-room or “zone” control, meaning that you can cool a specific room or rooms rather the whole house (Attic Pak systems do allow you to close vents in room to localize cooling). Many schools now use ductless systems to conserve energy during the summer when only staff members may be present. With the zone-control ability of the ductless system, only occupied rooms of the school are maintained at a comfort level, and cooling for the rest of the building is turned down or shut off. Churches use ductless systems for similar purposes, saving cooling of the sanctuary for worship days. Church sanctuaries can be zoned so the front can be just as comfortable as the back (choir robes, candles, windows, etc…)
Zone-control is used in businesses where special equipment, such as computers or telecommunications equipment, requires colder temperatures than the surrounding rooms. A ductless system equipped with equipped with optional controls can cool a room even when outdoor temperatures reach below freezing.
Space demands on modern business make it necessary for some companies to install modular and special purpose offices within existing spaces. Ductless systems are perfect for these uses. The condensing unit can be placed outside the office, and tubing and wiring can be run into the room. Inside wall or ceiling units can distribute the cooled air with precision.
Ductless systems are the perfect solution for spot cooling – for example, in large structures like retail stores and supermarkets, where areas can be either too hot or too cold.
Since no ductwork or air distribution system is needed with a ductless system, there are few places where these systems cannot be installed. Systems have been placed all over the world – in small and large offices, shops, motels and hotels, schools and universities, telephone equipment rooms, computer rooms, banks and currency exchanges, churches, hospitals and laboratories. Ductless systems have been installed for both primary and back-up cooling.
There are a number of benefits users get with a ductless split system. These include easy installation, easy maintenance, quite operation, heating, simple control, and attractive and efficient design.
An easy installation for your contractor means less mess, or disruption, for your home or downtime for your business. Ductless systems are easy to maintain. Many indoor units have washable filters and require only periodical cleaning. Outdoor units are designed for easy access for your contractor for those routine maintenance calls.
Both the indoor and outdoor units are designed for quiet operation. Indoor units are typically quiet enough for libraries, classrooms, boardrooms, and bedrooms. Outdoor units are generally quiet enough to be installed under a window or near a patio so sleeping or the entertaining of guests is not disrupted. Indoor units blend well into interior spaces and you don’t have to sacrifice window space like you do with window unit.
This document is published by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute.
