Let’s Talk About Mini-Splits: Three Ideal Applications

In your search for the most efficient, effective and affordable heating and air-conditioning system for your home, you’ve certainly come across the term “mini-split.” While industry professionals are well-versed in mini-split technology and system operation, the average consumer could likely use some background.

Allow us to introduce you!

Mini-split heat pumps are energy-efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly solutions to improve your home’s comfort while minimizing utility costs and emissions. They’re an ideal solution for addressing hot and cold spots in a home or creating new comfort zones.

How do they operate?

As the name implies, mini-split systems are split into two functional components: an outdoor compressor unit (sometimes called a condenser) and an indoor air-handling unit (sometimes called an evaporator). Compared to their conventional counterparts, these components are relatively small — hence the term “mini.” Mini-splits are typically single-zone systems. When you connect two or more indoor units to one outdoor unit, then you have a multi-zone system.

The outdoor and indoor units communicate with each other constantly, relaying current conditions and adjusting operation. Our systems utilize INVERTER-driven compressor technology in the outdoor unit, using only the precise amount of energy needed to maintain the desired temperature.

Speaking of desired temperature, everything’s brought together with a third component: the system controller. With a mini-split system, control is at your fingertips with a handheld remote controller, a wall-mounted thermostat or our kumo cloud® smartphone application. When the app is connected to your Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant you can use voice commands to control your comfort.

Mini-split heat pumps are an ideal solution for a number of different applications within your home. Below, we’ll take a closer look at three popular options.

Finishing the Basement

If you’re planning to finish the basement, you might be overwhelmed with all the decisions — how you’ll use your new square footage, how to decorate, buying new furniture; the to-do list can go on and on. Rest assured, the solution to heat and cool your basement is a simple one.

Your existing HVAC system was most likely sized for your home’s original living spaces and now that you’ll be adding square footage you’ll need extra support. Replacing your entire system can get expensive requiring additional construction efforts to expand ductwork. Instead, this is the perfect place for a single- or multi-zone mini-split system.

The heating and air-conditioning loads of a basement space are often lower in comparison to above-ground spaces because they tend to be dug into the earth, which is a natural insulator. The benefits of an efficient mini-split system, including room-by-room control and hyper-heating performance in low temperature climates, allow you to optimize the operation based on how you use the spaces. Your mini-split system, or individual indoor units, can be set back or turned off when not in use, ramping back up to set point quickly when you want to use the spaces.

Home Addition

Whether you’re building a home addition to accommodate a growing family or making room for a new hobby, expanding your home should make your life easier. With a mini-split system, conditioning your expanded space is easy, too.

Mini-split systems are great options for a new addition because they can be installed quickly without much disruption and come in a variety of indoor unit styles to perfectly complement the design aesthetic. Ductless wall-mounted units can be mounted to practically any wall, or a ducted air handler or horizontal ducted unit can be installed discreetly.

Plus, going with a separate, designated system for the addition lets you maintain the original central system for the main area of the home. When you go with a mini-split solution, you’re choosing precise temperature control and cost-saving efficiency for your new addition.

Exercise Room

Having an exercise room in your home is convenient and a great motivator to make sure you’re sticking to a fitness routine. Crucially, your home gym is a space where proper air circulation matters. Installing a mini-split system in your home gym is a recipe for success.

Ductless indoor units offer simplified maintenance with easy-to-clean filters. Ducted units also require minimal ductwork, preventing dust and debris build up.

Additionally, multi-zone mini-splits have their own temperature setpoints per zone, meaning you can keep the cool air blasting in your exercise room year-round, even in winter while the rest of the house is toasty warm. This also means the unit can be turned on or off based on demand. If you’re taking a break from the gym, you can turn the indoor unit off while maintaining superior comfort throughout other areas in the home. When the time comes to get back to your fitness routine, the unit will cool down the space quickly.

Because Mitsubishi Electric mini-splits use INVERTER-driven compressors, they’ll consume only the precise amount of energy needed to keep you comfortable, meaning your utility costs can stay low even while your heart rate ramps up.

From basement remodels to home additions to home gyms, there’s no shortage of opportunities for a mini-split system to improve your home’s comfort. Visit MitsubishiComfort.com to learn more about our mini-split heat pump options!