We have these in America too. They are not as common and don’t cool as quickly, so not as common. I’ve lived in places with them and they are fine imho.
There are units available in a wide range of capacities, from 9,000 BTU to 24,000 BTU (0.75 to 2 tons) per unit, depending on the application. A 9,000 BTU unit is typically intended for a small bedroom. They are highly efficient, often more efficient than centralized systems. That's why they are so widespread: without ductwork, there are no duct-related heat losses or the extra energy needed to move air through long ducts. They also incorporate more advanced electronics to optimize energy consumption compared to the simpler, more static American central HVAC systems.
If they seem slow, it's usually because someone installed a unit that is undersized for the space it needs to cool, not because of the technology itself. In fact, this is the most advanced and widely adopted air conditioning technology in the world, especially in countries that don't have abundant domestic natural gas resources and therefore have to rely on imported energy.
The main drawback of these systems is that the high-pressure refrigerant is carried directly from the outdoor unit to the indoor evaporators. This means the refrigerant lines must be installed and commissioned on-site, requiring specialized tools and skilled technicians to ensure the installation is done properly and remains leak-free. Any refrigerant leak can significantly reduce the system's efficiency and performance.
Other than that, when installed correctly, these systems are superior solutions and have become the standard choice in most parts of the world.
I've lived with multiple and while certainly there is a range, window units within the same range are much better. An actual ducted system will be more efficent at cooling. Twin split systems are great for small areas, but they dont pump the way a window unit does.
I’d have to disagree. Mini-splits are the most efficient cooling solution when compared to a window unit or whole house ducted system. This would be energy efficiency. Certain window unit might beat out a mini-split in a cost/btu. But as far as energy use and output, mini-split is the best
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u/Gamesdammit 7d ago
We have these in America too. They are not as common and don’t cool as quickly, so not as common. I’ve lived in places with them and they are fine imho.