Many homeowners are making the switch to ductless mini-splits because of their ability to provide both heating and cooling. They love having one system that keeps the home at a comfortable temperature year-round. Still, you can’t just install a mini-split and expect it to make noticeable improvements in your comfort or energy savings if you aren’t strategic about where you place the indoor air handlers. This guide walks you through tips for proper air handler placement and other strategies for getting the most out of your ductless setup.

Proper Placement for Wall Air Handlers

Where you place the indoor air handlers has a direct impact on the comfort they provide. If you place them on walls with awkward angles, the airflow may become obstructed, resulting in hot or cold spots. Ideally, you want wall-mounted units about six inches from the ceiling and in the center of an interior wall with no major obstructions or large furniture pieces nearby.

Install Air Handlers With Smart Thermostat Pucks

Ductless mini-splits are well known for their improved energy efficiency when compared to traditional heating and cooling systems. That said, incorrect readings will occasionally, though rarely, fool the system into thinking a room needs heating or cooling when it really doesn’t. This happens because the thermostat on the air handler, which is usually close to the ceiling, ends up reading temperatures that don’t reflect the occupied part of the room. A thermostat puck can fix this problem. It’s a small device that sits closer to the parts of the room where the people actually are. It communicates with the indoor air handler through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Because it’s at a much lower level in the room, it can take more accurate readings of the temperature.

Keep Interior Doors Closed to Maintain Localized Climate Bubbles

The reason that more and more homeowners are turning to ductless mini-splits is because they allow for individual heating and cooling zones. For example, you can keep the living room at a much warmer temperature while your bedroom stays cool and ideal for sleeping. But if you leave doors open or allow air to move freely between the zones, this can interfere with temperature control as the conditioned air bleeds into unconditioned spaces. The system will not only have to run longer but also harder to make up for the lost heating or cooling. This is why it’s so important to keep all interior doors closed.

Use the Eco Mode for Better Efficiency During Peak Afternoon Heat

Every afternoon when the sun starts to beat down on the house, this is a good time to use the Eco mode. It tells the system to run at roughly 70% of its total capacity, which helps the compressor run smoother during the extreme heat.

If you’re looking for other ways to make the most out of your ductless mini-split, you’ll definitely want to chat with a licensed HVAC technician. For most homes, it just takes a few simple adjustments to provide noticeable savings on energy bills and better comfort throughout the whole house. If you live in Lethbridge, Alberta or a surrounding area and need mini split installation services, make your first call to Charlton & Hill.