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?
These guys were great. Quick to return my call. Up front pricing. Great work on the installation. And the installers were nice and friendly. Highly recommend Thomas Hoffmann.
Hoffmann came out the same day I called them because our AC was out. The technician, Ryan, was able to get the system running again, was polite and responded to my questions. We’re off to a good start!
Thomas came over promptly I spoke with him about my concerns with my unit. Immediately got to work trouble shooting and resolved my issues. A+
Response from the owner:Thank you, James, for your kind words and for recognizing Thomas's promptness and dedication in resolving your concerns; we appreciate your feedback!
We have called Thomas Hoffmann many times and they are very prompt and very professional.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Vicki, for your kind words about Thomas Hoffmann's promptness and professionalism; we truly appreciate your feedback!
Super friendly, helpful, and quick to make the fix.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Jack! We're glad to hear you found our service friendly and efficient; your feedback means a lot to us!
Not a customer, but witnessed one of their technicians have an episode of road rage in Clayton. I would be concerned about letting them into my house/business.
We really trust Thomas Hoffman AC and Heating. Nick Hoffman has serviced our units several times now and he is professional, knowledgeable and very easy to work with. He comes on time, so we don’t have to schedule a long waiting period. We would highly recommend this company.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Greg, for your kind words and for trusting us with your AC and heating needs; we’re glad to hear that Nick has provided you with such great service.
We’ve been looking for a locally owned small HVAC dealer for a few years. And we found it with Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating. We love their service technicians. They come on time, they know what they are doing, they don’t upsell you on every appointment and they like working for Thomas Hoffmann. A happy employee makes for a happy customer.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mary, for sharing your wonderful experience with us; we're glad to hear you appreciate our technicians and their commitment to great service!
I called on a Monday morning as air conditioning was blowing warm air. They were able to come to my house very early afternoon and fixed the problem. Would highly recommend and will use them again.
Response from the owner:Becky thank you so much for your great review. We appreciate your business and your kind words.
quick to arrive and fast service
Response from the owner:Thank you, Connie, for your kind words about our quick arrival and fast service; we appreciate your feedback!
Very good, pleased with service.
Response from the owner:Thank you! We're glad to hear you were pleased with our service and appreciate your kind words.
Excellent service from Nick!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Margaret! We appreciate your kind words and will make sure to pass along your praise to Nick for his excellent service.
I am very pleased with the service provided.
, especially the quick response to my request . The technician came in themorning and had my cooling system repaired within an hour. Thank you !
Response from the owner:We're delighted we could promptly assist you on a Sunday morning and fix your cooling system efficiently. Thank you!
Here on time, worked fast. Always pleasant and great answering questions. Zach always does a great job.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Debra, for your kind words; we're glad to hear Zach made a positive impression and that you had a great experience with our team!
great job
Response from the owner:Thank you, Joe! We appreciate your kind words and the support from everyone involved.
Extremely quick response for appointment and did quick fix for our furnace and heat is working great !
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We're glad to hear our team was able to respond quickly and get your furnace working great. We appreciate your feedback!
They were timely, polite, professional and they saved us from too much sweating. In a field full of pompous and arrogant technicians, these guys take the time to explain what is wrong and how they are correcting it. Other folks just assume you are incompetent but these folks take the time to educate. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We truly appreciate your feedback and are glad we could provide you with a positive experience.
Great service and arrived on time when promised.
Response from the owner:Thank you Wray, for your kind words! We're glad to hear you had a great experience and that everything was on time.
I would like to have a receipt for my payment which I did not receive. On a positive note he was very punctual very early actually he did his job and was very professional and I'm hoping and praying this took care of the issue thank you and I would not hesitate at this time to use your services
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mark, for your feedback and for highlighting the punctuality and professionalism of our team; we appreciate your support and will ensure you receive your receipt promptly.
Our experience with them was fantastic all the way through! Not only were they able to get to our business that day but the customer service from the phone call to the on-site service was professional and quick. We'll definitely be using Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning and Heating in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Michelle, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear about your fantastic experience and appreciate your kind words about our team's professionalism. We look forward to serving you again in the future!
Zachary was here on the dot at 8:00am. Thank for making me the first stop as promised. Very friendly too.
Response from the owner:Thank you for recognizing our professionalism and friendliness!
Competence and knowledge have been my experience.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Beth, for sharing your experience; it means a lot to us!
I couldn’t be happier with the service from Thomas Hoffmann Air-Conditioning! From the moment I called, the team was professional, responsive, and truly knowledgeable. Thomas personally made sure everything was handled with great attention to detail. The installation was smooth, efficient, and the quality of the work exceeded my expectations. It’s rare to find a company that is both skilled and genuinely cares about their customers. I highly recommend Thomas Hoffmann Air-Conditioning to anyone looking for honest, reliable, and top-notch service. They’ve definitely earned a loyal customer!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Rick, for your kind words and for recognizing our team's hard work; we're grateful for your support and thrilled to have earned your loyalty!
Amazing service from Thomas Hoffmann! They made space in their schedule to come out the next day to fix our air conditioner. They were on time, honest and fixed the problem on the spot. Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Ashley! We appreciate your kind words about our team's service – it's great to hear we could help you so quickly.
Excellent Service!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Lynda, for your kind words about our service; we truly appreciate your support!
Fast efficient service. Both of the gentlemen that came to my home were very help and informative not to mention polite. It’s difficult to get service advisers to appear at your home when scheduled most times they’re late or don’t show up at all. Not an issue with this team on time, clear diagnosis, quick repair. I would definitely use Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning again. I recommend them highly.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Anna, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear that our team provided you with timely and helpful service, and we appreciate your high recommendation.
Tom was great. Super quick and easy! Serviced my unit in under 24 hours.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Olivia! We appreciate your kind words about Tom and are glad to hear your unit was serviced so quickly.
I have complete trust in Thomas Hoffman AC . I have had multiple
technicians who are always polite and knowledgeable.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your trust in our team, Henry! We appreciate your kind words about our technicians.
The OG brother, Thomas Hoffmann, his son Nick, who and the entire team are fantastic! They have my highest respect and recommendation!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Jane! We truly appreciate your kind words about Thomas, Nick, and the entire team; your support means a lot to us!
Fast response and great quality work.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words about our fast response and quality work; we truly appreciate your support!
Very quick and efficient
Response from the owner:Thank you, for your kind words; we appreciate your recognition of our quick and efficient service!
He got my ac up in running in no time.
Response from the owner:Thank you, T! We're glad to hear that everything is running smoothly and appreciate your recognition of our team's effort.
Giovanni was amazing. Explained everything in detail.and really made sure my unit is operating at its best. Very happy with them.
Response from the owner:Thank you, William! We're glad to hear Giovanni provided such detailed service and ensured your unit is running smoothly.
Came out immediately after a time slot opened and fixed the AC issue.
Response from the owner:Thank you, James, for your kind words! We're glad we could address your AC issue promptly.
Outstanding in every respect.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Ordont, for your wonderful feedback; we're so glad to hear everything met your expectations!
Zachary was very knowledgeable and informative! Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Beth! We're so glad you found Zachary knowledgeable and informative—we appreciate your recommendation!
First visit for my maintenance program. Arrived on time. Very polite to talk to. They discussed what they did and everything was good. They were professional. I would recommend this company to everyone.
Response from the owner:We're delighted to hear about your positive first visit experience with us! Thank you for recommending our services.
They were quick and did an exce
llent job on a very hot day. Thank you
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating, Tom!
Very knowledgeable. Very professional. Tom was very thorough and finally confirmed the issues in the system that no one else bothered to check.
Response from the owner:Thank you, David, for your kind words; it's great to hear that Tom's thoroughness made a difference in addressing the issues in the system. We look forward to working with you in the future!
Excellent Service. Thank you Zackery
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Buzz! It was a pleasure assisting you.
I’ve been using “THOMAS Hoffmann Airconditioning and Heating” for years now. We have a 30 +\- year old system that works perfectly for us. Although we’ve not had to use it yet, it is comforting to know they offer a 24 hour on call service. I really appreciate that the technicians don’t try to upsell us on anything. They’re a very professional, knowledgeable, and courteous, local-family owned and operated business. I’ve also found their pricing to be very fair and by”fair” I don’t mean “cheap” but reasonable… especially for the quality of service provided by THOMAS Hoffmann HVAC. I love supporting smaller family owned business and this one is top-notch! Thank you guys!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your continued support and kind words, Mari! We truly appreciate your loyalty and are glad to hear about your positive experiences with our services. We look forward to continuing to provide you with top-notch service in the future.
Great customer service & experience for our HVAC System! They installed two UV lights and a dehumidifier. On time, great service, the new items work great - Great HVAC Service in St. Louis! Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Brandon, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear that you had a great experience with your installations Your satisfaction is our priority!
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.
