The Ductless Mini Split Has Made Major Strides Over the Years
The massive population of Japan forced construction projects upward and the living spaces built inside to be efficiently small. Until the 1970s, keeping the populace cool fell to window air conditioners introduced by the United States and used until the advent of ductless mini splits.
Japan Introduces the Ductless Mini Split
Ductwork did not fit in Japanese construction because of the small spaces they worked in and the large air conditioning units were not suited to the closeness of buildings. Engineers needed a small, ductless cooling unit that would run quietly without using too much energy. The result is the ductless mini split.
These units require no ductwork, which makes placement flexible. The first mini splits had a piping range of up to 15 feet. The small condenser fit in walls and consistently ran quieter than the old window air conditioning units. Japan’s energy costs to that point were five times higher than the United States, which made the mini split a quiet and energy efficient miracle.
Modernizing the Mini Split
Modern engineering added humidity controls and filters to clean the air inside. Applications now include whole home cooling and heating with individual zone controls. Zone control reduces the amount of electricity needed to cool or heat an entire home with independent controls to change temperatures in one room and not another.
Homes built before ductwork became the norm can upgrade to ductless mini splits, usually without any need for remodeling. Quarterly maintenance by a HVAC professional keeps the system running year-round. When compared with other cooling and heating systems, ductless mini splits cost more to install but cost less to use.
If you think ductless mini splits will meet your needs, call Apollo Home Heating, Cooling and Plumbing for a consultation. We have serviced the greater Cincinnati area since 1910.
Image via Shutterstock.com