Ductless Mini Splits: Learn How to Use Them During Cooler Weather
More people are turning to ductless mini splits as an efficient way to condition spaces without the use of ductwork. While their ability to cool is a given, in climates where winter temperatures fall below 30, like ours do occasionally, the mini split may have to work harder to keep your room or space comfortable. These tips can help you improve the performance of your mini split when temperatures fall:
Place the indoor air handler approximately 18 inches off the floor. Heat rises and if the air handler sits high on the wall or hangs from the ceiling, the air will be colder near the floor and in the mid-levels in the room. If your system has already been installed and it would be difficult to move the air handler, consider hanging a ceiling fan with a reversible switch to move the heated air down toward the floor to increase comfort.
Do what you can to make the space more energy efficient. All ductless mini splits perform better when the heating load is lower. Adding more insulation to the attic will help, as will sealing air leaks and tending to the windows. Hanging thermal drapes will cut the amount of heat that moves through the glass, as will installing thermal or Energy Star windows.
If you're installing a new mini split, choose a unit that has a high HSPF (heating season performance factor). The minimum is 7.7, but units are available that surpass 10 HSPF. Mini splits with scroll compressors provide more heat than those with a standard compressor.
Keep snow away from the outdoor condenser by either building a shelter over the top, allowing plenty of space above and beside it for air circulation.
Keep the air filter clean and follow the maintenance schedule the manufacturer recommends for evaporator and condenser coil cleaning, along with professional maintenance. A clean filter and evaporator coil promote efficient heating.
To learn more about getting the most out of ductless mini splits during cold weather, contact Air Assurance. We've provided trusted HVAC services for the Broken Arrow area since 1985.Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONE/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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