The ductless mini-split made quite a splash when it was introduced in the 1970s in Japan. And its acceptance in many parts of the world has grown remarkably over the past 40 years. In the United States, however, many people are just now becoming acquainted with the ductless mini-split and are even surprised to learn that this versatile and efficient little heating and cooling system has been around all that long. Here’s a look at the ductless mini-split–from inception to widespread acceptance.
The Beginnings
The ductless mini-split was introduced as an alternative to window air conditioning. At the time, the wall-mounted systems were considered ideal for Asia’s smaller living spaces, largely because there was no ductwork. They were quiet and maintenance-friendly and offered the bonus of heating, as well as cooling.
Ductless Systems Today
As the acceptance of mini-splits has grown around the world, so has their adaptability. Today’s mini-splits are designed to meet a range of space requirements. Some systems can even cool and heat an entire home. Here are some of the areas where ductless mini-splits have evolved:
- System capacity has risen from 7,000 Btuh four decades ago to an impressive 48,000 Btuh. That’s the equivalent of a 4-ton air conditioner.
- Additional vertical separation of as much as 65 feet between the indoor and the outdoor units now permit you to heat and cool a two-story building.
- Today’s mini-splits can handle temperatures ranging from zero to 115. Regardless of the weather outside, your south Texas home will be comfortable inside.
- Units on the market today have intelligent controls that you can set, based on time of day. With the option of as many as four air handlers, mini-splits offer built-in zoning.
- Inverter technology allows the system to vary the speed of the compressor and precisely deliver the amount of refrigerant that’s needed for optimal efficiency and comfort.
- The conversion to R-410A refrigerant has led to the development of units that are smaller but even more efficient.
Interested in finding out more about today’s mini-split systems? Contact the experts at Mathews CCAC. We can answer all of your questions and design a system that’s ideal for your Coastal Bend-area home.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about ductless mini-split and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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