Mini Split vs. High-Velocity Air Conditioning: Which Is Better?

In certain cases, homes constructed more than a century ago lack the duct insulation and air conditioning technology. You can substitute a mini-split or high-velocity air conditioner for the ducting if you’d prefer not to do so. How do the two, though, compare to one another? This article offers the solution.

High-velocity air conditioners may offer cooling to structures without ductwork. Instead of forcing cooled air through ducts, they use easily adjustable tubes installed in the walls and ceilings of homes.

Mini-split air conditioning systems use interior units that deliver air directly to each room of a house while being powered by an outdoor compressor. These wall-mounted systems are very simple to install and run and don’t require ductwork.

Although neither system is necessarily better or worse than the other, it is important to be aware of these distinctions before installation. Additionally, a preliminary estimate of your installation budget will enable you to make a more focused choice. To find out which unit might be the greatest given particular circumstances, keep reading.

Comparing Mini-Split Systems And High-Velocity Air Conditioning

Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioners

As the outside unit of ductless or “mini-split” systems is connected through a small hole in the exterior of the home, allowing the interior unit to provide air conditioning to the home or apartment, these systems do not need ductwork. The external unit draws all of the heated air from outside, cools it, and then delivers it directly to the room.

Advantages

They Work Effectively
Mini-split systems have sophisticated technology, which makes them very efficient. They can swiftly and effectively convert high-voltage electricity, allowing them to run on relatively little energy. Their compressors can also run at varying speeds. If you find a mini-split system with a SEER rating over 25, you can be sure that this will help you save on electricity bill.

Varied Zoning
Mini-split systems allow you to establish zones in your home to make rooms more pleasant according to occupancy. You can set the temperature of an empty bedroom in your house differently than one that is always occupied, for instance. You can have many indoor units in your home running at different temperature settings at simultaneously, making this one of the most favorable aspects of micro splits.

They Are Very Quiet
One of these systems’ best attributes is how quiet they are when they’re functioning. High-velocity systems operate substantially noisier than ductless systems, in contrast to window systems or central air.

No Installation of Ducts
Mini-split systems don’t need ductwork, as was already mentioned. Less money will be spent on hiring contractors to install the units as a result. Installation of the outside unit, which doesn’t require as much work as other HVAC systems, and the interior units is all that is necessary, and both can be completed fairly quickly and easily.

Disadvantages

Capability For Filtration
There are air filters in mini-split systems, but they aren’t the best ones available. To increase filtration, consumers often install carbon inserts into the mini-split unit to assist counteract this issue. The filtering capacity is also influenced by the ductless system’s brand and model.

Cost
Generally speaking, mini-split systems are more expensive than high-velocity systems. However, because of their low energy use, you will ultimately save money on your electricity bill.

Need For Multiple Units
From an aesthetic perspective, having several mini-splits in your home can be distracting. Remember that each room will typically require its own unit to be effectively cooled. This raises the price of mini-split systems initially, especially if your house has three or more rooms.

High-Velocity Air Conditioning

High-velocity systems are an excellent choice for heating and cooling. They can even out the air temperature in all of your home’s rooms while also removing up to 30% of the humidity from your house. Let’s take a look at more of their benefits.

Advantages

They Aren’t As Distracting.
In contrast to mini-split units, these units are normally installed in the basement, with the vents positioned in discreet locations throughout your house. Remember that because the vents are so little, you might not spot them on the wall or in closets.

There Is Only One Unit Needed
You can use a single high-velocity air conditioner to cool the entire house because you no longer need separate units in each room. Without additional equipment, these air conditioners may circulate cold air into numerous rooms and areas of your house. As a result, installation costs are reduced.

They Cool Rather Quickly
The ability of high-velocity units to quickly force air into a number of rooms at a pretty high rate of speed is also well known. In other words, you don’t have to wait for your entire house to cool down for hours like you would with central air conditioning.

Disadvantages

Units Can Be Noisy
The drawback of high-velocity units is that they can be rather noisy as they force air through your home’s tiny vents. To lower their noise levels, some brands are creating models with sound-dampening technology.

Bodily Discomfort
A fairly high rate of force is used to force air through the vents of high-velocity systems. It might be physically uncomfortable to sit close to a vent, especially if the room is small. To address this issue, contractors will frequently advise positioning the vents far from the seating or sleeping areas within a room.

Mini Split: Can It Cool An Entire House?

Possibly, but it would have to be a very little house, like 400 to 500 square feet. Before responding to this question, there are more things to take into account. It mostly depends on a few variables. both the size of the home’s rooms and the air handlers. The amount of windows in the house and the style of flooring are other factors.

Typically, contractors advise installing one air handler per room, with the possibility of adding another if the space is larger than 500 square feet.

Keep in mind that you can use up to eight different air handlers while having them all connected to one outside unit. It is best to speak with a contractor if you are unsure of the number of handlers your house will require so they can perform an inspection, come out, and give you an accurate estimate of the handlers you’ll need and their ideal sizes.

Which Manufacturer Make The Best Mini Split System?

The mini-split system’s SEER rating provides the best guidance for answering this query. The SEER rating calculates the cooling output in relation to the unit’s hourly energy consumption. It’s a terrific approach to assess the appliance’s effectiveness. As a result, the Mitsubishi MUZ-FH models and the Fujitsu General RLS3Y models, both of which have a SEER rating of up to 33, would be the top competitors. Both unit models offer excellent warranties and produce more than 1200 BTUs of power.

Conclusion

Before selecting a high-velocity air conditioner or a mini-split system, it’s a good idea to consider all of your options. Current insulation, the size, design, and number of occupants of your home are all significant factors to take into account. It’s crucial to know your budget and the system that will fit your home’s design the best. A certified HVAC specialist can assist you in reducing your options and organizing the installation procedure.