Ductless air conditioners use an indoor and outdoor unit connected by refrigerant lines, providing efficient, flexible, and zone-specific cooling without ductwork.
Ductless air conditioners, also known as mini-split systems, have become a popular choice for homeowners and businesses seeking efficient, flexible, and cost-effective cooling solutions. These systems offer several advantages over traditional central air conditioning systems, especially in homes without existing ductwork. But how exactly do ductless air conditioners work?
The technician, Ryan, was knowledgeable and helpful in identifying the issue with our mini split AC unit. They are the second company we called after issues with the first and will be using Hoffmann again.
Response from the owner:We are so happy to hear your experience with Thomas Hoffmann was pleasant. Thank you for your kind review, & we look forward to working with you in the future!
woke up to a very cold house, called Thomas Hoffmann, they were able to come out a couple of hours later and get the issue resolved. Always trust them, they have always been quick to respond and get either the heating or ac issue fixed that day. Also a great price!!!! give them 10 stars if i could, Thank You JS
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind review, Jim. We are happy to hear that you had a positive experience working with Thomas Hoffmann!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Hank, for your wonderful feedback; we're glad you enjoyed the fast, friendly, and professional service, and we'll be sure to keep up the great work!
The technician Giovanni was excellent and on time very professional and efficient and knowledgeable of the project at hand ,gave great advice but most of all did great work 👏 thank you .
Response from the owner:We are so happy to hear you had a great experience, Sam! Thank you for the review, and thank you for your business.
Your service technician was very professional and knowledgeable. And did not appear to try to give me bogus information. I truly appreciate his honesty because several other companies did not appear to be honest, obviously wasn’t honest, my gut feeling told me they were not honest and tried to get me to spend $10,000 for a problem that was much simpler to fix. I look forward to you servicing all my properties, and possibly those of the rest of my family.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the kind words and great review! We appreciate your support.
Very prompt, communication was great, and the workers were very polite. I highly recommend them!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Lianne! We're glad to hear that you had a positive experience with our team and appreciate your high recommendation.
Water heater repaired, appointment done the same day, effective, courteous
Response from the owner:Thank you, Leticia! We appreciate your kind words and are glad to hear that the water heater was repaired promptly and effectively. Your satisfaction means a lot to us!
The service tech Giovanni did a fantastic job. Our gas fireplace is working like new again so we’re ready for the cold weather!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mr, for your fantastic review! We're glad to hear Giovanni provided you with excellent service and professionalism. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If I could give 10 stars, I absolutely would.
Last night our furnace went out unexpectedly, and with three kids in the house, the temperature dropped fast. Giovanni went above and beyond in every way possible. Instead of charging me a late-night service fee, he simply asked, “Are you decently handy?” and offered to walk me through some troubleshooting steps to get our heat back on so my children wouldn’t have to sleep in the cold.
Not only did he guide me through the process, he even FaceTimed me and showed me exactly what to take apart, how to put it back together, and what signals to watch for. It felt like having a real technician standing right next to me the entire time. Thanks to him, our heat was restored within minutes.
In a world where true customer service is hard to come by, Giovanni is a rare find. It is a guaranteed fact that any future repairs, maintenance, and the new heater/AC system we’ll be needing this coming summer/fall will absolutely be done through him. His honesty, kindness, and expertise have earned our business for life.
Highly, highly recommend.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Jeff, for sharing your experience! We're so glad to hear Giovanni was able to help you and your family during that tough situation. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we appreciate your trust in our services for the future!
My neighbor referred these guys to me when had water heater problem. Previous company told me I needed to replace it. Tom’s technician fixed it for less than $200. This was over 2 years ago and have been using their service ever since. They are very trustworthy.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mary, for sharing your experience and for trusting us with your water heater issue; we're glad our technician could help and that you've continued to rely on our services!
I called this company earlier today because I was having a bunch of issues with my HVAC system. They were incredibly friendly and walked me through troubleshooting step by step over the phone. They didn’t even charge me for the call. Thanks to their honest advice, I was able to get things running smoothly again. Really grateful for their help and would definitely recommend them if you want straightforward and trustworthy service. Five stars all the way!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the glowing review, Hector! We appreciate your business and look forward to working with you in the future.
Nick did not set current time. — Monday Hoffmans Zach came to fix correct time. We DID NOT want a timed thermostat — we prefer to set temperatures manually
Response from the owner:Thank you, Pat, for your kind words about Giovanni; we appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear that he made a positive impression.
Clear communication about arrival, service and costs.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Margaret, for your kind words! We appreciate your feedback on our clear communication and are glad you had a positive experience.
I will highly recommend this business for your air and heater repair. Prompt, knowledgeable and courteous service.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Judy, for your kind words and recommendation! We're glad to hear you were pleased with our prompt and courteous service.
Thomas Hoffman was very responsive to our after hours inquiry, even walked us through some trouble shooting over the phone. We provided pictures of the unit and they were able to quickly buy, schedule and install the part to keep our family warm!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Ali! We're glad to hear that Thomas was responsive and helpful in getting everything sorted out for you and your family. Your feedback means a lot to us!
Nick came by, identified the problem quickly and had it fixed. Great service!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Ted! We're glad to hear that Nick provided you with quick and effective service. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
Great service. Responsive. Well trained technicians. Honest friendly and thorough. I highly recommend Tom Hoffmann and his team.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We appreciate your recommendation and are delighted to hear about your positive experience with our team.
Ryan Taylor with Thomas Hoffman did an outstanding job in servicing our unit & explaining everything to me, especially how our humidifier worked, since we were new home owners & had not had one before. Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you! We're glad to hear that Ryan and Thomas provided you with excellent service and helped you understand your new humidifier. We appreciate your feedback!
As always, the Hoffmann technician Zach was polite, professional, and efficient. Pricing is reasonable and even more importantly, they are dependable. I will continue to use Thomas Hoffman A/C and Heating.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mark, for your kind words about our technician and for your continued trust in Thomas Hoffman A/C and Heating; we truly appreciate your support!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Brandon! We appreciate your kind words and are glad to hear about your positive experience with Hoffmann’s professionalism and thoroughness.
Our service technician arrived right on time and was professional, friendly, efficient and courteous. We couldn’t ask for more.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your positive experience with our service technician! We appreciate your kind words and are glad to hear that you were satisfied with the service provided.
Ryan was here on time. Thanks for getting here early, as I requested. Very friendly too. It was my annual checkup and all good!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the great review, Kay. We truly appreciate your business!
The Basics of Ductless Air Conditioners
A ductless air conditioner consists of two main components: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. These units are connected by a conduit that houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing, and a condensate drain. Here’s a breakdown of each component:
Indoor Unit
The indoor unit, also known as the air handler, is usually mounted high on a wall or ceiling. It contains an evaporator coil, a fan, and an air filter. The indoor unit blows the cooled air directly into the room. It operates quietly and can be controlled via a remote or a wall-mounted thermostat.
Outdoor Unit
The outdoor unit contains the compressor, condenser coil, and expansion valve and is typically placed outside on a concrete pad. The compressor is the heart of the system, responsible for circulating refrigerant between the indoor and outdoor units. The outdoor unit dissipates the heat absorbed from inside the building, releasing it into the outside air.
How Ductless Air Conditioners Operate
Refrigerant Cycle
Ductless air conditioners operate using a refrigeration cycle, similar to traditional air conditioning systems. Here’s a step-by-step look at how they work:
Refrigerant Absorption: The indoor unit absorbs the warm air from the room. The refrigerant in the evaporator coil absorbs the heat from this air, causing the refrigerant to evaporate into a gas.
Compression: The refrigerant gas travels through the conduit to the outdoor unit. The compressor compresses the gas, raising its temperature and pressure.
Heat Release: The high-pressure refrigerant gas moves to the condenser coil in the outdoor unit. Here, it releases the absorbed heat to the outside air, causing the refrigerant to condense back into a liquid.
Expansion: The high-pressure liquid refrigerant then passes through the expansion valve, reducing its pressure and temperature.
Cooling Cycle: The cooled refrigerant returns to the indoor unit, ready to absorb more heat from the room. This cycle repeats, maintaining a cool and comfortable indoor environment.
Zoning Capabilities
One of the standout features of ductless air conditioners is their zoning capability. Each indoor unit operates independently, allowing for customized temperature control in different rooms or zones. This flexibility enhances comfort and improves energy efficiency, as you can cool only the occupied areas rather than the entire building.
Advantages of Ductless Air Conditioners
Energy Efficiency
Ductless systems are known for their high energy efficiency. Since there are no ducts, there is no energy loss associated with duct leakage, which can account for up to 30% of energy consumption in traditional systems. Additionally, the ability to cool specific zones reduces unnecessary energy use.
Easy Installation
Installing a ductless system is less invasive than installing a central air conditioning system. The absence of ductwork means less construction work, making it a great option for older homes or buildings without existing ducts.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Ductless air conditioners often come with advanced filtration systems that reduce dust, allergens, and other pollutants. This leads to better indoor air quality, which is especially beneficial for those with allergies or respiratory issues.
Quiet Operation
Both the indoor and outdoor units of ductless systems are designed for quiet operation. The indoor unit often operates at a whisper-quiet level, making it ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, and other quiet spaces.
Versatility
Ductless systems are versatile and can be used in various applications, from single-room additions to entire homes and commercial spaces such as offices and retail stores.
St. Louis Air Conditioning
Ductless air conditioners are excellent for efficient, flexible, and cost-effective cooling. Their unique design and operation offer significant advantages, particularly in energy efficiency, ease of installation, and personalized comfort. A ductless air conditioner might be the perfect choice if you’re considering a new cooling system for your home or business in the St. Louis area. Contact Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating today for professional advice and installation services!
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At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we pride ourselves on being a locally owned and operated HVAC company. With more than 30 years of experience and a master technician and mechanical engineer as our owner, we can replace, repair, and maintain your business or home’s HVAC system.
