Today's ductless air conditioners have more features than ever. In years past, they were primarily used in homes that didn't have existing ductwork. While people still turn to them for this reason, they also do so to take advantage of many other exciting benefits. Ductless systems are also known as mini split systems. A basic mini split system is capable of heating and cooling small areas. Multiple indoor blowers can be installed, so this type of system can be used to heat many parts of a home. With a basic system, however, temperature controls are installed in each room. Multi split air conditioners offer zone control, which means that you can control the temperature of each room through a single temp control. How Do Ductless Split Systems Work? It's easy to understand how a traditional forced-air furnace and central air conditioner works. Such equipment forces heated and cooled air through ducts that then deliver it to various parts of the home via registers. Ductless split systems don't use ducts at all.

Instead, one or more outdoor units are mounted outside the home, and one or more indoor blower units are installed inside it. Suction lines, refrigerant lines and power cables run between the indoor and outdoor components. At the very most, small holes must be drilled into walls to make these connections. Indoor units may be mounted high up on walls, on ceilings or on floors. Mini split systems and multi split systems may be controlled by remote temp controls for added convenience. What is a Multi Split Air Conditioner? There are many multi split air conditioners on the market today, and a variety of features is available. Mitsubishi Electric air conditioners are ideal because they boast the latest innovations. The majority of multi split air conditioners by Mitsubishi Electric feature the following: Inverter Technology - If you've ever used a regular forced-air heating and cooling system, you know how frequently such equipment starts and stops. When the thermostat senses that more heated or cooled air is needed, the compressor kicks on.

When the thermostat senses that the correct temperature has been achieved, the compressor kicks off. Significant amounts of energy are consumed every time the compressor turns off and on. Inverter technology, which is also known as variable-speed technology, eliminates this issue by allowing the compressor to operate at variable speeds. Equipment slows down and speeds up as needed to maintain a constant, comfortable temperature. Heat Pumps - While considering a multi split air conditioner vs. mini split air conditioner, you will notice that both options have plenty of similarities. For instance, they both rely on heat pumps to heat and cool the air. Heat pumps are prized for their energy-efficient operation. They use a lot less energy than traditional furnaces and air conditioners because they work with heat's natural tendency to move from warm areas to cool ones. A small amount of electricity is needed to move the process along. The heat pumps that are used in Mitsubishi Electric air conditioners are reversible models, which means they reverse the process using small amounts of extra energy, which allows them to both heat and cool a room.

Sensors - Inverter technology goes a long way toward maintaining a consistent temperature. Specialized sensors improve upon this even more. They detect small changes in temperature and automatically make adjustments accordingly. In multi split systems, these sensors are located in each room, which ensures that the correct temperature is maintained in every zone.cost of replacing central ac unit Multi Split Air Conditioner vs. Mini Split Air Conditionerstand up air conditioner cheap Both multi split air conditioners and mini split air conditioners can heat and cool multiple rooms or areas in a home. home ac heating unitsThe key difference between the two is that you can set different temperatures for different rooms with a multi split system while the same temperature applies to all rooms with a mini split system.

How Much do Multi Split Systems Cost? Multi split systems are customized to suit customers' specific needs. Therefore, there are no set prices. The only way to determine how much such a system will cost is by getting a quote. Mitsubishi Electric Contractors are located around the country. A local dealer can help you determine how much you can expect to pay for one of these innovative heating and cooling solutions. In an effort to save money, you may be wondering how to install a multi split system. This isn't a do-it-yourself project. Careful thought and consideration must be used to determine the correct equipment capacities and to figure out where all of the components should be installed. Talented technicians will be able to install your ductless system in a way that ensures optimal year-round comfort. The first step to enjoying the benefits of a state-of-the-art multi split air conditioning system is by contacting a Mitsubishi Electric contractor in your area and requesting a free estimate.

The dealer will come out and assess your home and find out what you're looking for in a ductless system. With this information, an accurate estimate will be formulated.While necessity may be the mother of invention, it's increasing costs that spawn efficiency. Before the '70s, we happily cranked up the thermostat when the house felt chilly. Once heating costs went through the roof, though, we all put on sweaters and started looking for ways to save. And, with up to 40 percent of our heating dollar going to air infiltration—otherwise known as drafts—sealing the place up began to seem like the best defense against high heating bills. Over a period of time, older homes began to sport new, tight windows and doors, insulation and vapor-barrier improvements, modern siding, and caulk for every crack through which air might pass. New homes left the drawing board designed to be tight, and builders became familiar with the new materials and skills needed to meet market demand and updated regulations.

Homes were finally becoming thermally efficient. What some began to wonder, though, was whether they were habitable. It turns out that those heat-robbing drafts had a role in the ecosystem of the home—they provided fresh air to breathe. Without realizing it, builders before the energy crisis had been installing an effective, albeit haphazard, ventilation system. If you could afford the heating bills, it worked.Life inside today's tight home generates both moisture and pollutants. The moisture comes from cooking, washing, showers and breathing. At excessive levels, moisture condenses on windows and can cause structural deterioration. Areas of excessive moisture are also breeding grounds for mold, mildew, fungi, dust mites and bacteria. You know you have a problem if you find moisture collecting on your windows, or if you notice black spots on walls. These unsightly spots indicate mildew growth. Mold spores and dust easily become airborne and circulate freely throughout the house, possibly causing a range of symptoms and allergic reactions.

In addition to excessive moisture and biological contaminants, appliances that utilize combustion have the potential for allowing gases, including carbon monoxide, and other pollutants to escape into the air. Some common sources may include gas ranges and water heaters, unvented space heaters, leaky chimneys and wood-burning appliances. Even breathing can add to the problem when carbon dioxide reaches excessive levels, creating stale air. And that's not all that gets into the air. If your home is new, the very products it's made of can give off gases that are less than agreeable to your comfort and good health, and in many areas of the country there's a concern about radon seeping from the ground.The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) sets the standard for residential ventilation at a minimum of .35 air changes per hour, and not less than 15 cubic feet per minute (cfm) per person. An old home may very well exceed these values—especially on a windy day.

However, on a calm winter day, even a drafty house may fall below the recommended minimum ventilation standard. There are partial solutions to the indoor air-quality problem. For example, an electrostatic filter installed in a forced-air heating system will reduce airborne contaminants, but it won't help with moisture, stale air or gaseous pollutants. And, local exhaust fans can remove excess moisture in the kitchen, bath and laundry area, but create negative pressure inside the house. As they pump air out, the resultant vacuum slowly draws air into and through the house structure, bringing with it odors, dust and contaminants. In areas where radon is a problem, the negative pressure may increase radon levels. A better whole-house solution is to create balanced ventilation. This way, one fan blows the stale, polluted air out of the house while another replaces it with fresh. Of course, if the fresh air is cold, you need to warm it up, and that costs money.A heat-recovery ventilator (HRV) is similar to a balanced ventilation system, except it uses the heat in the outgoing stale air to warm up the fresh air.

A typical unit features two fans—one to take out household air and the other to bring in fresh air. What makes an HRV unique is the heat-exchange core. The core transfers heat from the outgoing stream to the incoming stream in the same way that the radiator in your car transfers heat from the engine's coolant to the outside air. It's composed of a series of narrow alternating passages through which incoming and outgoing airstreams flow. As the streams move through, heat is transferred from the warm side of each passage to the cold, while the airstreams never mix.Depending on the model, HRVs can recover up to 85 percent of the heat in the outgoing airstream, making these ventilators a lot easier on your budget than opening a few windows. And, an HRV contains filters that keep particulates such as pollen or dust from entering the house. You will, though, find your energy bill going up slightly to pay for replacing the heat that isn't recovered. An average HRV installation can run from $2000 to $2500, but costs will vary widely depending on the specific situation.

Although an HRV can be effective in the summer months, when it will take heat from incoming fresh air and transfer it to stale air-conditioned exhaust air, it's most popular in colder climates during the winter. If the temperature falls below about 20° F, however, frost can build up inside the exchange core. To handle this, a damper closes off the cold airstream and routes warm air through the core. After several minutes, a timer opens the fresh-air port and ventilation continues. A typical HRV for residential use might move as much as 200 cfm of air, but the fan speed can be set to suit the air quality in the home. For example, a slow to medium fan speed may be adequate for normal living, while a house full of guests might require the highest setting. Controls are available for intermittent and remote operation. HRVs are ideal for tight, moisture-prone homes because they replace the humid air with dry, fresh air. In climates with excessive outdoor humidity, an energy-recovery ventilator is more suitable.