James Dulley responds to a reader question about cooling a second floor bedroom and addition. He discusses the differences between window ac units and the mini-split cooling systems in an article featured in the Cincinnati Enquirer (08/04/12).
So which system is better for cooling a room?
Reader Question:
We added a room, but our central air conditioner doesn?t cool it well. Our second floor master bedroom also does not stay cool. Does it make sense to install a window air conditioner or a mini-split system?
James? Response:
The cooling problems you are having are not uncommon. This is particularly true for second-floor rooms, The cool air conditioned are is more dense than warm air, so it tends to drop to the first floor.
Also, second-floor ceilings are exposed to the hot underside of the roof.
For both your new room addition and your second-floor bedroom, installing a mini-split air-conditioning system is more efficient and effective than a window air conditioner. The only drawback is a mini-split system is more expensive to ?install initially and cannot later be moved to a different room.
I have a two-story house with a central heat pump. I recently installed a LG Art Cool mini-split system for my master bedroom. I selected the smaller output 9,000 BTU model which has an efficiency of SEER 28 and inverter compressor technology. My central heat pump is SEER 13, so my Art Cool model is twice as efficient. I chose the heat pump version so it can also heat efficiently during the winter.
A window air conditioner has all the components ? compressor, air circulation fan, condenser fan, etc ? in the cabinet in the window.
Even though it is insulated against heat flow and sound, it still is not ideal for good efficiency. Thew newest ones are fairly quiet, but can be annoying in a bedroom at night.
A mini-split system is very similar to a central air conditioner or heat pump with the condenser fan, coils and compressor in a n outdoor unit.
Some models allow the outdoor unit to be placed up to 100 feet from the room. This virtually eliminates noise from those components getting indoors at night.
instead of having the indoor cooling coil in an air duct system as with your existing central air conditioner, the coil is mounted in a fan unit on the wall or ceiling of the room. It is connected to the outdoor unit by refrigerant and electric lines. Only a three-inch-diameter hole needs to be cut through the wall. The condensate drain goes out through the same hole.
Mini-split systems can be used to air condition an entire house by installing wall units in several rooms. The cool air will ?circulate throughout the house. This is commonly done in houses using baseboard electric or hydronic heat which do not already have a heating duct system.
In addition to the higher SEER rating, installing a mini-split unit allows for cooling zones. For example, in my case, there is no need to keep downstairs cool all night when I am sleeping in the bedroom. ?My mini-split system allows me to set the central thermostat higher at night to save.
James Dulley provides you with insight into the two-systems. You can decide what best fits your budget and your cooling needs. When you need heating and cooling contractors, contact HomeServicesLink. We?re your home improvement and repair contractor connection in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
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