Do ductless air conditioners dehumidify in the summer?
A ductless air conditioner will also dehumidify the room. As the air handler on a ductless system draws in warm air from the room, it also captures water vapor. That moisture condenses into a liquid during the heat transfer process. Then, that water drains out of the system.
When the air returns to the room, it’s cooler and “drier” than before. Air conditioners have pretty much become a standard in American homes, and Deleware County is no different. Older homes were built more with airflow in mind. Since cooling systems weren’t around residentially until the 70s, people relied on fans, open windows, and circulation. Since then, summers have gotten hotter. And, central air became more commonplace.
For instance, take a look at even older homes in places like Merion Station or Bala Cynwyd feel the heat. Those homes may be older, but they need larger systems to cover the entire house. They look great, but they require a large cooling system to keep the temperature in check. And, dehumidification is an essential part of that process
Why do air conditioners also dehumidify?
Humidity plays a crucial role in home comfort. The more moisture there is in the air, the hotter you feel That’s why air conditioners dehumidify the space as part of the cooling process.
Without getting too far into the science of it all, warmer air holds more water vapor than colder air. And, the more humid it is, the hotter you feel. That’s because you get rid of excess heat through sweat.
But, if there’s too much moisture in the air, your perspiration won’t evaporate. Then the sweat stays on your skin, leaving you feeling hot and sticky. So, your air conditioner dehumidifies as part of the cooling process.
How mini split air conditioners work
Ductless mini splits remove moisture from the air just as any AC does. And, they offer benefits that traditional cooling systems don’t.
We’ve been installing more and more of these over the past few years. The more people hear about them, the more they like them.
As the name implies, these don’t use vents and traditional ductwork to deliver climate control. Instead, you’ve got indoor air handlers that circulate the air, and outdoor heat pumps that handle the heat transfer process.
We mentioned before how those air handlers draw in the air. Well, the next part of the process is a refrigerant liquid that runs in a closed loop between the handler and the heat pump.
The warmth from the room heats the liquid, causing it to evaporate. When it loops back to the heat pump, that component releases the warmth outside. The refrigerant cools, condenses, and goes back again.
So, remember that cold air can’t hold as much moisture as warmer air? Well, that’s where the dehumidification comes in.
As the air from the room cools down, it can’t hold all that water vapor. So, the moisture converts back to a liquid and gets drained out of the system. Of course, there are plenty of other benefits to ductless systems. And, we get a couple of questions from a lot of people who are just learning about them. Here are a few others.
Do mini splits stay on all the time?
A mini split does not run 24/7. But, it runs for much longer than a conventional air conditioner. This process, in part, helps it dehumidify. And, believe it or not, it helps you save money.
Ductless systems use “inverter technology” operate at either full power or in a low-power mode. The air handler turns on and goes to its full power setting to cool the room. Once the temperature is where you want it, the system switches to low-power mode to maintain it.
That’s different from your central air cycling on and off a few times an hour. Or, a window unit just blasting away all day, driving up your electric bill. This way, you never get a temperature fluctuation.
So, it takes less power to keep your home cool. Plus, it’s dehumidifying the whole time. That also helps the process. Finally, staying on longer means less stopping and starting. So, there’s less physical wear and tear on the unit. It lasts much longer as a result.
Are ductless air conditioners noisy?
Noise is the next thing on people’s minds. And it makes sense after you realize the air handlers run more often than not. And, the answer is: No, ductless air conditioners are not noisy.
The indoor air handlers stay under 20 decibels. That’s about as loud as leaves rustling outside. You have to pretty much be underneath one of them and listening for it. Otherwise, you’d ever even realize the air handler is working.
Meanwhile, people are used to a loud cooling system. You always notice when your central air is on – or, it’s suddenly apparent how quiet it is once it turns off. Meanwhile, try having a quiet conversation or keeping the TV at a reasonable volume with a window or wall unit going. Some of those units get pretty loud – like, 65 decibels loud. That’s the equivalent of a car going by at 65 MPH from 25 feet away. So, sound is a big question when it comes to ductless.
It’s easy to think the “staying on almost all the time” part could be a downside – especially when it comes to sound. But, fortunately, that’s not an issue. The mini split may run most of the time. But you won’t notice it. If you’re interested in how a ductless mini split can make your home more comfortable in the summer (or any season!), email or give us a call. You can get a free consultation and plenty of information on how we can make the system work for you.