MiniSplit Blog
So first off, what is a multizone minisplit heat pump system?
Unlike their single-zone counterparts, the multizone minisplt systems allows you to have multiple indoor air handlers for covering many rooms or areas while still having only a single outdoor compressor in most cases. BTU output on the multizone systems start at 18,000 BTU and go up to 48,000 BTU. This dynamic range of heating and cooling power allows for conditioning anywhere from 2 zones (18,000) to 5 zones (48,000) or even more. By mounting the air handling unit closest to the area to be conditioned, tremendous energy savings are realized. These systems are often referred to as 'ductless' because of this feature and the fact no ductwork is used. The simple presence of ductwork often causes a 30% loss in energy on its own.
If you think of typical central AC and heating systems, maybe you've come to realize that the one air handler that's often hidden in a closet, attic, or basement has to do a ton of work to circulate the air through the entire house. To do so, it does take a lot of power and often on those longer duct runs still isn't strong enough to push the cooling or heating around comfortably. What if you could have a smaller, quiter, and more efficient air handler for each room where it is needed most? Well, that's exactly what multizone ductless systems are designed to do. By putting the heating and cooling unit and the air handler in a small, compact space you avoid the losses associated with trying to push hot or cool air from one central location through out an entire house! Another benefit of multizone ductless systems is the ability to shut down a zone completely if it's not in use. For instance, a lot of us have a hobby or game room that is used sparsely.. maybe even only once a week or less often. Why spend a ton of money heating and cooling a room no one is in, or will be in for 90% of the time? With a ductless multizone system, you can turn the unit on 30 minutes before you plan to use the area and it will be nice and toasty, or pleasently cool just in time for the game!
What are my options for the indoor air handler units?
There are quite a few options for the indoor air handling units due to a wide variety of needs. The standard, and most popular option is the wall mount:
Just as the name 'wall mount' implies these units are mounted directly to the wall, typically about 6 to 8 feet above the floor level. This indoor unit was the first model introduced when the minisplit systems were created, and remain very popular. They provide the advantage of a powerful blower motor and wheel that can circulate the air in rooms up to 1500 ft² to keep things nice and comfortable.
Next, we have a Ceiling Cassette:
These are designed primarily for drop tile type ceilings and are used most often for server rooms and office space. Since these draw in air from the grill and blow out in all four cardinal directions some customers also choose to use them in game rooms or small hunting lodges.They are a good fit for any place that can conceal the unfinished top portion of the unit and has a little access space for routine cleaning.Popular among hotel chains, Bed and Breakfast rooms, and other temporary lodging accomadations is the floor/ceiling indoor air handler:
As the name implies, these units can be mounted on the ceiling in a horizontal configuration, or on the floor in a verticle configuration. The last indoor air handling unit we will discuss is a concealled ducted unit. These are a little less efficient than the previous ones, but in certain situations are still the best solution:
The concealled ducted units are good for replacing older central units where duct work is already in place, or for joining several smaller rooms into one area for climate control.
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