Ductless Mini Splits

This month we are going to talk about ductless mini splits. These systems consist of an air handler that mounts directly on the wall, with a condensing unit that sits outside. These systems have been popular in Europe for years. These systems are perfect for those bonus rooms over the garage or even a sunroom. In the past, many HVAC contractors would try to heat and cool the bonus room over the garage off the same system that was heating and cooling the main house. The problem with this method is many. First, the thermostat is on the main level. When it is satisfied, it cuts the system off. Unfortunately, the bonus room is still warm. This is normally because the bonus room will have a roof/ceiling combination, or three walls directly exposed to the attic. So this room is picking up a lot of heat directly through the roof or attic. Secondly, if you actually get enough air conditioning in the bonus room to be satisfied, you will have too much heat when you go to the heating season. As we all know, heat rises, so heating a bonus room is not as hard. Finally, to try and cool the bonus room off the main system requires oversizing your equipment.

With the ductless mini splits, you can size exactly to the load of the room. The smallest size available is a 9,000 btu system. With the largest being 36,000 btu's. Another significant plus is the ductless mini split systems are remarkably quiet. The highest decibel level on high speed is around 45. Consider that normal conversion is held in the 60-70 decibel range and you can see how quiet the system really is. Another bonus is the efficiency of the system. Consider that your basic heating and cooling system has a SEER in the 13-14 range. The Mitsubishi 9,000 btu ductless heat pump has a SEER of 25, and the 12,000 btu system has a SEER of 22. An extra bonus to these systems is that they can provide heat without the need of an auxiliary heater, no matter the temperature outside. Of course our business is based in South Carolina, so I'm not sure if that is true in Michigan.

Finally, with the energy tax credits available in 2009-2010, there has never been a better time to install a ductless system. The Mitsubishi 9,000 btu and 12,000 btu heat pump systems both qualify for the energy tax credit. This credit is for 30% of the installed cost, with a maximum credit allowed of $1500. Normally for the systems mentioned you are looking at an installed cost of between $2500-$3500. Cost will depend on several factors including: ease of installation, distance from air handler to condensing unit, ease in getting power wire from breaker box to condenser. For more information on the Mitsubishi ductless mini splits, please go to www.mrslim.com. Once there, go to home solutions.

And as always, you can call on your friends here at Bragg Heating.

Hopefully this information has been helpful.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to call us at 648-0387.
You may also contact us with any questions or concerns.

Finally, if you have a question that you would liked answered,
e-mail it to us and we will answer it in a future column.