When researching ductless air conditioning systems, one of the top questions homeowners have is, “Do mini-splits dehumidify?” This guide will answer that question by diving into what ductless mini-splits are, their distinct moisture removal function, and exploring if they are worth installing in your home.
Discover the ins and outs of this HVAC system and turn to SM Mechanical Services, LLC if you need ductless AC installation in Glastonbury, CT.
What Are Mini-Splits?
A mini-split is a ductless heating and cooling system. It is an increasingly popular solution for homeowners looking for a more energy-efficient system. It contains indoor and outdoor components that transfer air from your home to the outside and back in both warmer and colder months.
By eliminating standard HVAC ducts, mini-splits help promote better indoor air quality. A mini-split system is ideal for zone temperature control, meaning you can monitor the temperature of individual rooms in your home. In smaller homes, you can meet your heating and cooling demands with one mini-split while larger spaces may need more devices.
Do Mini-Splits Dehumidify Your Home?
On a basic level, yes, mini-split HVAC systems can dehumidify your home. However, there are limitations you should be aware of.
Modern mini-splits have a feature known as “dry mode.” As the name implies, this function removes moisture from the air but does not alter the temperature of the room. The following steps detail how a mini-split dehumidifies your air while in dry mode:
- A fan sucks warm, humid air into the system
- Air travels across a cooling coil at a lower speed compared to the cooling mode
- The air hovers around the coil to cool and create moisture
- Condensation drips into a tank at the base of the system
- The now-dry air returns to the indoor space
While you can use the mini-split dry mode to remove moisture from the air, you won’t receive cooler air in return. If you live in an area with high humidity levels, a mini-split system won’t simultaneously cool and dehumidify the air. However, research is ongoing about finding an energy-efficient HVAC solution that integrates both humidity and ventilation control.
Mini-Split Dry Mode Specifics
While in dry mode, we know that mini-splits dehumidify properties. But just how much moisture can a mini-split system remove from your home? How long should you expect it to run in order to make your space dry?
Your home can produce as many as 25 pints of water vapor each day. This number takes into account any steam from cooking, showering, running laundry machines or dishwashers, and even breathing. A mini-split can remove roughly four pints of air moisture every hour it runs on dry mode.
This rate is too slow to dehumidify all the excess moisture within a home. Continuously running your mini-split in dry mode can damage the HVAC system. Its primary design is to cool and not dehumidify, so you should avoid several consecutive hours operating in dry mode.
Differences Between Mini-Split Dry Mode and a Dehumidifier
With information about how mini-splits dehumidify buildings, you may be wondering what the difference is between the mini-split dry mode and a portable dehumidifier. Which system works better when you need to remove sticky, warm air from your home? The following are some key differences between the two mechanisms:
- Mini-splits have multiple functions, while dehumidifiers only have one.
- Dehumidifiers can be the more efficient and cost-effective option for removing air moisture.
- Portable dehumidifiers need frequent emptying and cleaning.
- You may need more dehumidifiers throughout your home operating longer if you are in an area of high humidity.
- Mini-splits cover larger areas of the home than portable dehumidifiers.
A ductless mini-split system can not only draw moisture out of your home, but it can heat and cool the air as well. If you need a whole-house HVAC system that provides this triple-function advantage, you can’t go wrong with a mini-split. If you have a traditional duct system already in place and are looking for better air quality control, add a dehumidifier to keep your home dry and comfortable.
Do Mini-Splits Dehumidify in Cold Weather?
Mini-splits do not dehumidify in cold weather so don’t expect them to pull moisture from your home during the winter months. If you face higher levels of humidity from showers or cooking steam yet the mini-split is on a heating setting, it will not alter the humidity.
You should aim for an indoor relative humidity level no higher than 60% year-round. Utilize a dehumidifier to achieve this level and a mini-split for supplemental moisture removal.
Is Installing a Mini-Split Worth It?
Installing a mini-split system in your home can be well worth the investment. However, it’s always best to consider your needs before committing to the installation.
Say you already have a traditional duct HVAC system. It is only a few years old and provides you with efficient heating and cooling but you still retain excess moisture. In this case, it may make more financial sense to get a portable dehumidifier to dry your air while the HVAC system cools it.
If your current HVAC system isn’t providing you with optimal indoor air quality, switching to a ductless heating and cooling system can benefit you. Installing a new mini-split will not only guarantee years of quality heating and cooling but can also dehumidify the air so you are comfortable.
Reach out to an HVAC expert for more information on mini-splits. You can schedule an inspection of your system and receive a knowledgeable recommendation about a new installation.
Contact a Professional HVAC Company to Install Ductless Mini-Splits
Now that you have an answer to “do mini-splits dehumidify,” it may be time to install this cooling system in your home. Evaluate your needs, and if your current HVAC system isn’t up to par, a ductless mini-split can grant you greater temperature control for select areas of your home.
Improve your indoor air quality with a professional mini-split installation from SM Mechanical Services, LLC. Call (860) 530-3671 to learn more.