Monterey Park Heating Service > Split - Ductless AC and Heat Pumps

With a ductless system, simple copper tubing and electrical wiring to indoor units connects a separately installed outdoor unit. Refrigerant is pumped from the outdoor condenser coil and compressor through the tubing to the indoor unit or units. A fan then quietly distributes cool air drawn across the unit's evaporator coil.

What are the main components of a Ductless system?

A ductless split air conditioning system consists of four major components:

The condensing unit, which contains the compressor, is located outside the building.
Thin refrigerant lines, usually copper tubing, connects the outdoor unit to the indoor unit or units.
The indoor unit or units, each with a fan, come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be wall or ceiling mounted.
A hand-held wireless remote or wall monitor controls the entire system.

Heat pumps are a unique kind of heating system, because they can do the work of both a furnace and an air conditioner. Thus, there's no need to install separate systems to heat and cool your home. Heat pumps can also work extremely efficiently, because they simply transfer heat, rather than burn fuel to create it.

Heat pumps work best in moderate climates. If you live in a moderate climate, using a heat pump instead of a furnace and air conditioner may help you save money on your utility bill. Most heat pumps are somewhat limited by the cold, however, so it is important that you learn which kind of heat pump is best for your area before installing one in your home or office building. If you install the wrong kind of heat pump, you may end up paying even more in energy costs than you do already.

How is Ductless different than central air-conditioning?

The amount of cold air entering the room can he controlled by a thermostat or it can be regulated by an infra-red remote control, like a TV remote. One room or one area of a building can maintain a different temperature from another room or area in the same building.

In a central air-conditioning system, refrigerant is pumped from the outdoor condenser coil indoors to a single indoor coil from which cooled air is distributed to each room through a system of ducts. In many houses and businesses, the amount of cold air in one room cannot be regulated without changing the temperature of every room in the building.

What is "zone control"?

Ductless Split Air-Conditioning Systems offer room-by-room or "zone" control, which minimizes over-cooling typical of central air-conditioning systems. As in the example at the beginning of this brochure, many school systems now use ductless systems to conserve energy during the summer when only staff members may be present. With the zone-control ability of the ductless system, only occupied rooms of the school are maintained at a comfort level, and cooling for the rest of the building is turned down or shut off. Churches use ductless systems for similar purposes, saving cooling of the sanctuary for worship days. Church sanctuaries can be zoned so the front can be just as comfortable as the back (choir robes, candles, windows, etc.).

Zone-control is used in businesses where special equipment, such as computers or telecommunications equipment, require colder temperatures than the surrounding rooms. A ductless system equipped with optional controls can cool a room even when outdoor temperatures reach far below freezing.

Space demands on modern business make it necessary for some companies to install modular and special-purpose offices within existing spaces. Ductless systems are perfect for these uses. The condensing unit can be placed outside the office, and tubing and wiring can be run into the room. Inside wall or ceiling units can distribute the cooled air with precision.

Ductless systems are the perfect solution for spot cooling - for example, in large structures like retail stores and supermarkets, where areas can be either too hot or too cold.

Since no ductwork or air distribution system is needed with a ductless system, there are few places where these systems cannot be installed. Systems have been placed all over the world - in small and large offices, shops, motels and hotels, schools and universities, telephone equipment rooms, computer rooms, banks and currency exchanges, churches, hospitals and laboratories. Ductless systems have been installed for both primary and back-up cooling.

What are the benefits of Ductless systems?

There are a number of benefits users get with a ductless system. These include easy installation, easy maintenance, quiet operation, heating, simple control, and attractive and efficient design.

An easy installation for your contractor means less mess, or disruption, for your home or downtime for your business. Ductless systems are easy to maintain. Many indoor units have washable filters and require only periodical cleaning. Outdoor units are designed for easy access for your contractor for those routine maintenance calls.

Both the indoor and outdoor units are designed for quiet operation. Indoor units are typically quiet enough for libraries, classrooms, boardrooms, and the most sensitive room in the house, the bedroom. Outdoor units are generally quiet enough to be installed under a window or near a patio so sleeping or the entertaining of guests is not disrupted. Indoor units blend well into interior spaces and you don't have to sacrifice a window as window type air conditioning units.

Ductless systems provide additional heating as well so you can live and work comfortably year-round. And ductless systems are easy to operate. Many provide system control features with a hand-head wireless controller or wall thermostat that puts you in direct control of your comfort.