Although they’ve been around since 1959, ductless mini-splits are enjoying a tremendous surge in popularity. They offer highly efficient whole-house cooling in hot, humid areas like Brevard County. They’re perfect for homes lacking central HVAC ducting and remote, unserviced, or under-serviced spaces, including garages, attic bedrooms, utility rooms, and basements. Ductless mini-split systems offer customizable climate control and easy, minimally invasive installation.
Here’s what homeowners in Brevard County should know about ductless mini-split installation:
What Is a Ductless Mini-Split System?
A central air conditioner has an outdoor condenser unit and a single indoor air handler. Central ACs cool the air and then route it to individual rooms via HVAC air ducts. With just one thermostat governing temperature control for the entire building, a central AC will cool your home uniformly. Central air conditioning maintains nearly the same temperature in every room, even when some rooms or floors are not in use.
In comparison, a ductless mini-split system has an outdoor condenser and multiple indoor air handlers. Each air handler has a thermostat, and residents can adjust its settings independently. If rooms or floors throughout your home are empty, you won’t waste energy or money keeping them cool.
Ductless mini-split installation can also eliminate duct-related energy losses. According to Energy Star, HVAC air ducts can waste 20% to 30% of the cooling energy air conditioners produce. Rather than routing cooled air through long and complex networks of air ducts, ductless mini-splits distribute cool air directly from their air handlers.
What Does Ductless Mini-Split Installation Entail?
If your home was built without HVAC air ducts, installing a mini-split system is typically more cost-effective and easier than ductwork retrofitting. Installing mini-splits is far less invasive than adding air ducts post-construction. The following is all that ductless mini-split installation entails:
1. Select the Correct Location
Ductless mini-split systems can provide customized, whole-house cooling. They can also serve one or more areas that don’t receive adequate cooling from existing central air conditioners. For whole-house cooling, HVAC technicians divide homes into two to eight service areas or zones. Each zone includes an air handler and thermostat; all air handlers are linked to the outdoor condenser.
Your installer will choose a safe and relatively protected location for your condenser in your back or side yard. To ensure compliance and prevent water intake or other problems, HVAC companies often install concrete or composite pads for condenser support.
HVAC contractors can install indoor air handlers on ceilings or walls. Wall-mounted air handlers offer the best airflow, efficiency, and performance. Your installer will choose locations for air handlers that provide the best aesthetic and functional benefits.
2. Drill Access Holes
Refrigerant lines, drain tubes, and electrical wiring connect air handlers to outdoor condensers. Ductless mini-split installation involves drilling a small hole in the exterior wall of each service area or cooling zone to pass these connections through. These holes are never bigger than three inches in diameter. They also disrupt building materials far less than ductwork retrofitting.
3. Mount Units and Connect Them
After preparing your concrete pad and drilling access holes, your installer will mount and connect your indoor and outdoor units. Each air handler is securely affixed to a service area wall, and drain tubes, electrical wires, and refrigerant lines are passed through access points. When everything is set up and connected, HVAC companies vacuum-test ductless systems for leaks and charge them with refrigerant.
4. Final Setup and Testing
Your installer will check your system for proper sealing and leaks. They will also show you how to use your ductless mini-split’s remote, adjust air handlers, and maintain your new cooling equipment over time.
Why Ductless Mini-Splits Are an Excellent Choice for Brevard County Homes
If you don’t currently have a fixed, whole-house cooling solution, a ductless mini-split installation will prove far more effective and much more efficient than a window-mounted AC or a window-vented portable air conditioner. Ductless mini-splits are an excellent choice for Brevard County homes for multiple reasons:
- Perfect for Home Additions and Older Properties: Older homes in Brevard County often lack the ducting that supports central AC. Other homes throughout the region have sunrooms, finished basements, and other structures that lack ductwork and don’t get central AC service. Mini-splits can efficiently cool these spaces without requiring major building modifications.
- Energy-Efficient: Brevard County locals can avoid duct-related energy losses. They can also selectively cool occupied rooms only.
- Advanced Humidity Control: Humidity in Florida is no joke. With advanced dehumidification modes, many ductless mini-split systems are ideal for our coastal climate.
- Quiet Comfort: Lacking ductwork, ductless mini-split installation provides whisper-quiet operation. You won’t hear loud duct noises from expansion and contraction, and you’ll enjoy restful sleep or a quiet home office while the AC runs.
- Healthy Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Since ductless mini-splits don’t force air through long, dusty air ducts, the air they circulate often has less dirt, dander, pollen, and other allergens.
Why Hiring a Trusted, Local Mini-Split Installer Is Important
As with all whole-house heating and cooling systems, proper sizing and installation play a crucial role in maximizing the value of your ductless mini-split. Kabran Air Conditioning & Heating has served Brevard County homes for decades. Our skills, experience, and expertise ensure mini-split systems are installed to withstand Florida’s salty air and sunny weather.
Are You Ready for Ductless Mini-Split Installation in Brevard County?
Kabran Air Conditioning & Heating can help you determine if a ductless mini-split system is right for you. We’ll ensure your new mini-split is installed quickly, professionally, and with little mess and inconvenience.
Contact Kabran today to request a free estimate or learn more about our latest limited-time mini-split offers!
