A ductless mini split is an air conditioner, and often a heat pump, that cools one zone at a time without any ductwork. For a lot of Chicago homes it is the most practical way to add real air conditioning.
How it works
An outdoor compressor unit connects to one or more indoor wall units through a small refrigerant line that only needs a three-inch hole in the wall. Each indoor unit has its own remote and thermostat, so a bedroom can sit at 68 while the living room is at 74.
Where mini splits shine
Older Chicago houses and two-flats with radiator or boiler heat and no ducts. Attic conversions and additions the original system never reached. Garages, sunrooms, and home offices. Anywhere a window unit is loud, ugly, or a security worry.
Efficiency and noise
Because there are no ducts, there is no duct loss, which is where a lot of a central system's cooling goes. Inverter compressors ramp up and down instead of switching on and off, which is easier on the equipment and the electric bill. Indoor units are quieter than a window unit, and the compressor sits outside.
Installation
A single-zone install is usually a one-day job: mount the indoor unit, set the outdoor unit on a pad or wall bracket, run the line set, pull a vacuum on the lines, and charge the system. Multi-zone systems take longer. Proper sizing matters. An oversized unit short-cycles and never removes humidity; an undersized one runs all day.
Keeping it running
Rinse the indoor filters monthly during the season. Keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves and snow. Have the coils cleaned and the refrigerant charge checked once a year. If a zone stops cooling or shows an error code on the display, call before the next heat wave, not during it.
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Central air and ductless mini splits. Repairs, tune-ups, and new installations before the Chicago summer hits.
AC Repair & Installation in Chicago
