A split air conditioner, also known as a ductless mini-split system, is a type of air conditioning system that consists of two main components: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. It is called "split" because the indoor and outdoor units are connected by refrigerant lines and electrical cables, allowing them to operate separately but in coordination to provide cooling. Here's how a split air conditioner works:
Indoor Unit (Evaporator): The indoor unit is usually mounted on a wall or ceiling inside the room you want to cool. It contains the evaporator coil, a fan, and other components. When you turn on the air conditioner, the indoor unit draws in warm indoor air through the return air grille.
Cooling Process: The warm indoor air passes over the evaporator coil, which contains cold refrigerant. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the air, causing the air temperature to drop significantly. The cooled air is then blown back into the room by the indoor unit's fan, creating a comfortable and cool indoor environment.
Refrigerant Circulation: After absorbing heat from the indoor air, the refrigerant in the evaporator coil changes from a liquid to a gas. The warm gaseous refrigerant is then sent through the refrigerant lines to the outdoor unit.
Outdoor Unit (Condenser): The outdoor unit contains the condenser coil, a compressor, and a fan. The gaseous refrigerant from the indoor unit enters the condenser coil in the outdoor unit.
Heat Dissipation: In the condenser coil, the gaseous refrigerant releases heat to the outside air. The compressor in the outdoor unit compresses the refrigerant, increasing its pressure and temperature.
Refrigerant Condensation: The high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant, now in a gaseous state, is condensed back into a liquid state as it passes through the condenser coil. This process releases heat to the outside air.
Refrigerant Return: The now-liquid refrigerant returns to the indoor unit through the refrigerant lines, where the cycle starts again. The process continues until the desired indoor temperature is reached.
Temperature Control: The split air conditioner typically comes with a remote control or wall-mounted thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature and fan speed, providing precise control over your indoor environment.
Split air conditioners are known for their efficiency and flexibility, as they allow for zoned cooling, meaning you can have different indoor units in separate rooms with individual temperature settings. Additionally, the absence of ductwork makes installation easier and allows for more flexible placement of indoor units.