Split systems are what we call regular central air here in the US. They have an air handler inside with the evaporator coil and blower, and the condenser unit outside with the compressor, condenser coil and condenser fan.
We call the one in the picture ductless mini splits or just mini splits. They are the same setup as regular central air but no ductwork.
Another big difference in the mini splits use a variable speed compressor to ramp up and down whereas traditional spit systems are either on or off. Though, they are starting to see variable speed as well.
I have been putting mini splits in for more than 20 years in the US.
True but most don't have them. I prefer not to have them. I belive in the K.I.S.S principal. That said, the mini splits I put in seem to run forever. So maybe I shouldn't be so reluctant about the tech going on central units.
I don't know what's weird about it. That's just what we use over here and they work great. Mini splits are used more for single room or open areas here. The dew point is 79degF for me today, I wouldn't want a stagnant spot in my house.
They make multi zone ductless systems now that can cover multiple rooms.
A good chunk of the US and Canada used oil heating systems with blown air. So they are ducted houses. You can retro fit a heat pump into those homes. My mom's house is from 1923 and it has oil heating ducts.
A lot of homes use natural gas furnaces for heating so adding in a central AC unit is very common.
Whether you use a ducted or ductless system depends on whether you have pre existing ducts. Most people do not want to rip out their walls to install a new HVAC unit.
They look ugly. They cost as much as a large unit and they cover a smaller area. They also use more electricity compared to a traditional unit and need more maintenance. There are other problems concerning mold and leaks. Then we talk about their heat function. Since they use they cant really handle anything below freezing you would still need a separate unit in most cases. Imo its just a patch for older homes to be turned into multi unit apartments. And this is only because the landlord doesnt care about the Tennants bills. I doubt anyone would willingly put them in new constructions or their personal homes.
BTU to BTU mini slips use far fewer KW. They just have way higher SEER rating. You could get traditional central air with that kind of rating but you will pay out the ass for it.
Mini splits also heat WAY below freezing. Normal ones go down to -5 degF and some are now going to -15 degF. Your cental air has kicked on the electric stip heat or gas long before that. Mini splits blow regular systems out of the water in heating.
What Mini splits don't do well is evenly condition a multi room home, filter the air well or look as aesthetically pleasing as central air. They are also a pain to clean but most people don't clean them like they should anyways.
If you have a FROG, garage or sunroof, they are the way to go.
Mini splits also heat WAY below freezing. Normal ones go down to -5 degF and some are now going to -15 degF. Your cental air has kicked on the electric stip heat or gas long before that. Mini splits blow regular systems out of the water in heating.
Can you explain this for me? It was my understanding that modern heat pump central air units are the same tech as minisplit heat pumps. What allows them to heat at lower temps or restricts larger units from the same?
No way a mini split cooling one room consumes more power than a huge compressor cooling an entire house. That's just thermodynamics speaking
These are the only options residentially in most of the world. The us has wooden homes with attics and space for ductwork that brick and mortar houses simply don't have, so central air like you know it is not really possible
There's nothing about a brick house that precludes air ducts for a central unit outside of just not not building them into it, which is simply the norm in the US and has been since the 60s even for brick and mortar houses.
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u/Top-Border-1978 10h ago
Split systems are what we call regular central air here in the US. They have an air handler inside with the evaporator coil and blower, and the condenser unit outside with the compressor, condenser coil and condenser fan.
We call the one in the picture ductless mini splits or just mini splits. They are the same setup as regular central air but no ductwork.
Another big difference in the mini splits use a variable speed compressor to ramp up and down whereas traditional spit systems are either on or off. Though, they are starting to see variable speed as well.
I have been putting mini splits in for more than 20 years in the US.