Split Air Conditioners. A.K.A, Ductless Air Conditioners
Split air conditioners are also known as ductless air conditioners. If you ask me, I would categorise ductless air conditioners as the final evolution before central air conditioners.
Split/Ductless air conditioners are designed with super comfort silence in mind, whilst providing you the comfort air you need.
Let’s learn more about split air conditioners.
Overview of split air conditioners:
Air conditioning principle for ductless air conditioners, are based on refrigerant compression and expansion, a.k.a. mechanical cycle air conditioning.
The size range of these air conditioners is from,
5,000 BTU/hr (or 0.43 ton or 1.4 kWh or 1.1 hp), to
50,000 BTU/hr (or 4 ton or 13 kWh or 10 hp)
With efficiency ratings from,
9.5 SEER, to
19 SEER
Split air conditioners are designed to condition air from small rooms, to large rooms.
Efficiency ratings for these air conditioners are similar to window units.
Design features:
Split air conditioners are constructed in two parts.
There must be a properly installed condensate drain from the evaporating unit, to the nearest drain
Similar to window air conditioners and portable air conditioners, most ductless air conditioners are equipped with dehumidifier only function.
This function is achieved by
Either
Passed through the evaporator for water condensation, and heated for dry air
Or
Passed through the evaporator, at very low blower speed and lower temperature.
Blower speeds during this type dehumidifying action, is fixed to control the moisture removal.
A high blower speed will not remove moisture effectively as water vapour will be carried together with the blowing wind
Most split air conditioners come with a heat pump function as well. So, you can use the air conditioning unit throughout the year
An excellent feature, most split air conditioners come with, is the activated carbon cartridge, as an integral of air filtering.
What is so good about this cartridge? It removes odour.
Here comes the ”wow-factor” part.
Recently, ductless air conditioner manufacturers have come up with a new technology to clean the filters.
That cleaning action is achieved by an automatically moving brush within the air filter frame
Ductless air conditioners are equipped with auto swing flaps to direct air flow into a larger area within the conditioned space
These units are installed higher than window air conditioners, and hence remote control is a necessity
All split air conditioners comes with digital control
Safety must be an integral part of any air conditioner design, and hence magnetic starters are very important for a proper and safe operation of split air conditioners
User profile:
Ductless, or split air conditioners will be very useful if,
You want a very quiet air conditioning unit,
You want to install air conditioner at several uncomfortable rooms only,
You want to install a conditioning unit to a large room that is very seldom used,
You are running a resort business, and you need air conditioning to all rooms
Installation and setup:
Installation and setup for these air conditioners are a bit more difficult than window air conditioners.
You have to first, size the air conditioner, purchase it, followed by,
Identify the spot to install the evaporating unit,
Drill holes for refrigerant lines and condensate lines,
Install brackets for the evaporating unit,
Install brackets or floor bolts, and install the condenser unit,
Install tubing and condensate lines,
Mount the evaporating unit on the evaporator bracket,
Fit the condensate and refrigerant lines,
Wire the system,
Evacuate the system, test for leaks, check for moisture, and charge adequately.
