How Do Zoned Mini-Split Systems Work?
Posted on: 22 January 2020
Many homeowners love the idea of zoning out their heating and cooling system. Zoned air conditioning can be especially useful on hot summer days when cooling an entire house with one or two occupants may be a significant waste of energy. Cooling unused spaces is wasteful and puts extra stress on your HVAC equipment, wearing components out more quickly than if they were only conditioning one section of the home at a time. With a traditional central air system, dampers in the ductwork create zones by blocking airflow as needed.
While this simple type of zoning is effective, it is not an option for ductless mini-split systems. Since many homeowners want the efficiency and simplicity benefits of ductless systems with the convenience of zones, these systems offer their own alternative for discrete cooling.
The Basics Of Mini-Split Systems
As their name implies, mini-split ductless systems use an indoor and outdoor unit in the same way as traditional central cooling units. A conventional air conditioning system locates its indoor evaporator and cooling unit in a central location, distributing air throughout the home through a network of ducts. Mini-split systems use a combined air handler/evaporator placed directly into the space to be cooled. Since this unit acts as a heat exchanger, fan, and vent all-in-one, there is no way to distribute air to other rooms or control temperature between zones.
Enter The Multiple Unit System
While a single mini-split indoor unit cannot provide variable cooling to multiple rooms, there is no reason to limit yourself to only one unit. Zoned ductless air conditioning systems work by tying numerous indoor units to a single outdoor compressor unit. Each indoor unit is entirely independent of the other units in the home. When you turn down the thermostat in one room, only the air handler for that single room runs. Likewise, turning off the air conditioning in another room has no effect on the rest of the home.
The Advantages Of Multiple Units
The traditional damper method of zoning has several disadvantages. Most notably, the air handler must run when there is a demand for cooling in any zone. The damper system can also produce uneven cooling, with reduced airflow when during periods where multiple zones are active. Mini-split systems bypass these problems entirely and share only the compressor between zones. Additionally, the smaller, more efficient air handlers found in each indoor unit can help you to realize significant energy savings. This higher efficiency design means that you can keep each zone in your house cool and comfortable while also saving money on your utility bills.
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