PURCHASER is responsible for submitting warranty documentation for appliances, equipment, or other items of personal property (which have warranties provided by their manufacturer). BCUBED provides no warranty for any item which it did not manufacture, including appliances and equipment. Warranties from the manufacturer of the appliances and equipment may be available.
PURCHASER is responsible for care and maintenance of building, appliances, and equipment. BCubed is not responsible for building maintenance or issues caused by lack of maintenance. It is recommended you follow manufacture guidance for care and maintenance.
How Mini Split Systems Work
Mini splits are ductless systems that consist of two main parts: 1) an indoor air handling unit, and 2) an outdoor compressor or condenser unit. Each indoor air handler has its own fan and evaporator coil and is connected to the outdoor unit by refrigerant lines.
To cool a room, the indoor unit pulls air inside, which passes over evaporator coils filled with refrigerant. Any absorbed heat is transferred to the outdoor compressor unit and cooled air goes back out into the room.
When your mini split heats a room, the opposite happens. The outdoor compressor unit absorbs heat from outside and moves it inside using the refrigerant coils. (Refrigerant is very cold, so it can find outdoor heat even at very low temperatures).
Mini split heating and cooling is all just a transfer of energy. Mini split efficiency is about 30% higher than central ducted systems. Part of the reason for this is based on how inefficient a central system can be, often due to leaky ductwork.
Properly Manage Mini Split Run Time
Central HVAC systems cycle on and off every 15 minutes or so, but this isn’t the case with a mini split. You may be tempted to turn your mini split on and off or to dramatically adjust temperature settings to conserve energy. But that isn’t always the way to go.
While that would be a smart way to save when using other HVAC systems, mini splits operate best when used consistently. It’s kind of like a car getting better miles per gallon at a constant speed. Instead of making major changes, smaller adjustments are a better option to save.
A ductless mini split heat pump will use less energy when you let it run continuously. And, as a bonus, it will keep your temperatures more consistent. But you can still make small changes to save energy.
For a traditional HVAC system like a furnace or baseboard heaters, it’s smart to schedule a temperature setback overnight and then resume your preferred temperature before you wake up in the morning.
However, mini splits work a little differently. Having them ramp up or down with major changes can cause them to be less efficient. Instead, try setting a smaller setback temperature overnight, so your mini split doesn’t have to work as hard in the morning to bring the room temperature back up to normal.
One exception to the above would be if you’re going to be away from building for an extended period. Even if it’s just for a few days, turning off your mini split can help you save.
Also, it may be tempting to use your mini split’s air conditioning all summer long, however this adds to your annual energy costs. Instead, try not use mini split air conditioning on days where it’s not needed.
Optimize Mini Split Settings
Optimizing your mini split’s settings will also help increase efficiency.
To start, pick a comfort level. Adjust your temperature settings until you reach your desired degree of comfort. Keep in mind that a mini split measures temperature closer to the ceiling where it’s installed, so you may have to set the temperature a little higher than you’re used to.
Next, choose the ‘AUTO’ fan setting. Mini split auto mode will allow your system to change fan speed based on the weather and your temperature setting. So, be sure to use auto mode, it’s the best setting for mini split efficiency.
Effectively Direct Airflow
Warm air rises and denser, cooler air sinks. So, the most efficient way to run a mini split would be to direct airflow to account for this.
Adjust your mini split’s air handlers in summer when you’re using AC to cool your building by directing airflow upwards. In winter, direct airflow towards the floor (since that’s where you are) to optimize your mini split’s heating efficiency. This simple change will allow for better airflow and will help heat and cool your building more effectively.
Please note:
BCubed buildings SMSD #1-41 were supplied with Allied Air Units. Buildings after SMSD #41 are supplied LG units.
The Allied air units have a function called follow me on the remote. This function changes where the unit reads the room temp from. Instead of reading the temp at the top of the room it reads it at the remote. When using this function, the remote must be placed at a neutral site, not next to a toaster or a window.
The LG units do not have this function.
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.