Styles of Ductless Air Conditioners:

Window Air Conditioner: If you are over the age of 10 I'm sure you have seen this style of ductless air conditioner sticking out of a window of your local apartment complex or main street store. There popularity comes from the inexpensive price and ease of installation. These are self-contained air conditioning systems that just plug and go.

Through Wall Air Conditioner: These ductless air conditioners are usually higher quality than the window air conditioners mentioned above. They are manufactured with a metal casing around the unit so that it can be built into a new or existing wall. Many units are a chassis system that let the customer pull out the guts of the unit while leaving the case securely attached in the wall. Through wall air conditioner units will usually be deeper in size so there is adequate venting outside the exterior of the building. A through wall A/C unit will most likely be stronger than a window air conditioner and can still hang out a window if a customer wishes.


Mini Split Wall Mounted Air Conditioner: These air conditioners have been the bread and butter of the ductless revolution in the United States. Mini Split air conditioners consist of an outdoor unit (condenser), an indoor unit (evaporator), remote control and a refrigerant line-set. The indoor unit comes in many shapes and sizes, but the most popular size is an elongated rectangle. The outdoor unit of a mini split system resembles a medium size suitcase with a fan grille. The condenser and evaporator are connected with electrical wiring and insulated refrigerant line-sets. The outdoor condenser sits on a slab or plastic pad and the indoor evaporator mounts on an interior wall approximately 10 inches from the ceiling. Mini split air conditioners have gained their popularity by their quiet operation and ascetic value.


Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC): PTAC's have gained their notoriety in the motel/hotel industry. If you have ever slept in a motel and enjoyed the lovely hum of a PTAC, you are not alone. These are self-contained ductless air conditioners usually with large buttons or dials to either turn the temperature up or down, hot or cold. Through the years PTAC manufacturers have worked to lessen the decibel output of the units but self-contained air conditioners will always produce more decibels because the close proximity of the compressor to the living area.

Ceiling Cassette Air Conditioner: Cassettes have the same components and operate similar to mini split wall mounted units with one exception; cassettes mount in the ceiling. Many businesses and offices will use cassette air conditioners because they fit in between ceiling panels and force air out in four directions. While most ductless air conditioners have a maximum of 24,000 btu.'s, ceiling cassettes can be manufactured over 60,000 btu. With the addition of line-sets, a ceiling cassette air conditioner will require an installer.



Helpful Terminology for Ductless Air Conditioners:

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio): This term has been one of the most important indicators of how well an air conditioner performs over an entire year. A minimum SEER rating value of 13 has been established and mandated by government regulations for all ductless split system air conditioners. A minimum SEER rating value of 10 has been established for PTAC, window or through the wall air conditioners. The higher the SEER value, the more efficient the air conditioner. Look for Clearance AC SEER values in the specifications table below each air conditioner.

BTU (British Thermal Unit): This measures the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. Btu number is the best way to determine what size of an air conditioner is needed for a given room size.

Below are the average room sizes in square feet for common btu size air conditioners. Remember that these numbers are determined for average temperature living climates (Missouri) with 8 foot ceilings and good insulation. Any additional climate changes, ceiling heights or large windows will decrease coverage.

• 9,000 Btu Air Conditioner 450 Square Feet
• 12,000 Btu Air Conditioner 600 Square Feet
• 18,000 Btu Air Conditioner 900 Square Feet
• 24,000 Btu Air Conditioner 1,200 Square Feet

R22 vs. R410A: R22 and R410A are two of the most popular air conditioning refrigerants used in the United States. R22 has been around for decades providing comfort cooling for millions of homes. R22 has been determined to be harmful to the environment due to its chemical make-up containing chlorine. In 2010, R22 will no longer be manufactured in new equipment. R22 has been replaced by R410A by many manufacturers in the United States air conditioning industry. R410A is a more eco-friendly refrigerant that is used in today's high efficient air conditioners.