A ductless mini-split system doesn’t operate like a centralized heating ventilation air condition system. The majority of centralized systems depend on the presence of air ducts in place, attached to a furnace, often gas burning. The heated air moves through the ducts to each room in a house. An extra air conditioner is added for cooling, with a condenser unit installed outside the house. This unit uses the same ductwork to distribute cool air. However, a ductless, mini-split system does away with vents. It is installed in certain rooms or parts of a space. Because it does not operate with ductwork, a lot of people may ask “Do mini splits stay on all the time?”
How Long a Mini Split Runs
Literally, a ductless mini-split does not run round-the-clock. However, it is designed to run for longer lengths of time than traditional HVAC systems. Also, it is usually working in a low-power mode instead of at full capacity. Some mini-splits use inverter technology to maintain the temperature desired while using less power.
A mini-split may look running all the time if you haven’t programmed the system as efficiently as you could. You can install it to heat an area of your home or specific rooms. For instance, you can choose to turn off the setting for heating or cooling in your guest room that has no occupants to saves money. If your mini-split has to heat different areas, it may need to run more frequently as it tries to warm up a wing of your home.
More Time Means Better Efficiency
While centralized systems are designed to heat air to higher temperatures and blast air into each room with a duct. But, mini-splits heat air between 130 and 140 °F and disperse heated air into any area that needs it. Mini-splits may run longer than what homeowners are used to with central systems. But, they are also 30 percent more efficient than their centralized counterparts. Therefore, even if they run longer, they use less energy.
Does a Mini-Split Save you Money?
Ductless systems use less energy to heat or cool your home than a forced-air furnace or central ACs that offer the same amount of power. Also, they last longer than a lot of conventional HVAC setups. These make ductless, mini-splits a good investment. In nearly every case, you will end up spending less money in the long run than with a traditional HVAC system.
