What to Know About Floor-Mounted Ductless Air Handlers

Ductless mini split systems are becoming increasingly popular due to the many money-saving benefits they provide and the wide range of style options to choose from. One of the most-popular mini-split configurations is the floor-mounted ductless air handler. If you’re interested in installing one of these units in your home, check out this guide on what to know about floor-mounted air handlers.

What is a floor-mounted ductless air handler?

A floor-mounted ductless AC is a type of mini split system that is installed at the bottom of a wall near the floor. Unlike traditional central heating, a mini split system doesn’t require any invasive ductwork. Instead, the system has an indoor and outdoor unit which are connected by a refrigerant line that runs through a small three-inch hole in the wall. Aside from the lack of ductwork, mini-split systems operate in a similar way to a traditional heating and cooling system.

Benefits of choosing a floor-mounted ductless air handler

One of the main benefits of choosing a floor-mounted ductless mini-split as your home’s heating or cooling system is that it is positioned close to the people in a room. Its close proximity to the room’s inhabitants allows people to feel the warmed or cooled air quicker than they would if the system was positioned above them in its ceiling cassette or wall-mounted variant. 

Another benefit of installing a floor-mounted ductless AC and heat system is that it allows for easy maintenance. While mini-split systems don’t require much maintenance, owners should change their filters regularly to ensure optimum efficiency and air quality. When it is time to change the filter in your mini-split, the floor-mounted location makes it easy to do so without having to get out a ladder or chair to stand on like you would with a ceiling or wall-mounted system. Furthering their convenience, the air filters are located on the front panels where they are easy to remove, clean, and replace.

Additionally, floor-mounted ductless air handlers also provide all the benefits of mini-split systems such as zone-specific temperature control, quiet operation, easy installation, and inverter technology which allows the system to measure the room conditions and adjust the compressor and fan settings for optimum energy efficiency and comfort.

How does a floor-mounted ductless air handler work?

As previously stated, floor-mounted air handlers operate similarly to a traditional heating and cooling system. However, a floor-mounted mini split system doesn’t have any ductwork for pushing air throughout a home. Instead, multiple ductless mini split units are installed in various rooms of the home where they individually heat or cool each area.

The ductless mini split system includes an indoor unit that is responsible for releasing warmed or cooled air into the home. The indoor unit is connected to the outdoor unit through a short refrigerant line. The outdoor unit operates as the system’s condenser or compressor and is responsible for releasing the heat that is drawn from inside one’s home.

When choosing a floor-mounted ductless air handler, you can either install a single-zone system or a multi-zone system. When opting for a single-zone system, it’s important to know that the system is composed of only one indoor unit and one outdoor unit. A multi-zone system, however, is composed of multiple indoor units that are connected to a single outdoor unit. Typically, up to eight indoor units can be connected to one outdoor unit in a multi-zone system. If you plan on heating or cooling multiple rooms in your home, a multi-zone system is generally the more advantageous option.

When should you choose a floor-mounted ductless air handler?

An important thing to know about floor-mounted air handlers is when you should install one in your home. There are many instances where it may be beneficial for a homeowner to opt for a floor-mounted ductless air handler. For example, they are ideal for areas with limited wall space such as rooms with low ceilings or high windows. Floor-mounted systems are also a great option for rooms with slanted ceilings, such as attic bedrooms where wall-mounted systems aren’t a feasible option.

Tips for positioning a floor-mounted ductless air handler

When installing your floor-mounted mini-splits, it’s important to consider the location carefully. The system should be positioned in an unobstructed area at least six inches above the floor. If there are any appliances, furniture, or other objects directly in front of the system, they could end up inhibiting its efficiency of heating or cooling your space. 

In addition, you should also make sure that there aren’t any appliances that emit electromagnetic interference near your floor-mounted ductless air handler, such as a television or microwave. Such appliances may disrupt the communication between the mini split and the remote control.

Our last tip for positioning your floor-mounted ductless air handler is to choose a shaded location. If the mini split is exposed to direct sunlight, the warmth from the sun’s rays may impede its ability to accurately measure the temperature of an area.

Installing a floor-mounted ductless air handler

Floor-mounted mini splits are one of the easiest temperature control systems to install due to their minimally invasive design. To install a floor-mounted ductless air handler, a single three-inch hole must be made through the outdoor wall for the refrigerant line to run through and connect the indoor and outdoor system.

Rather than taking days to install a ducted system, this system can typically be installed in a matter of hours. In addition, the cost of installing a mini split is far less than a ducted system which requires weaving ductwork throughout the inside of walls.

If you’re interested in a floor-mount ductless mini-split in your home, you can find a top-quality system for an incredible price at the The Pioneer Mini Split Store. Our top-of-the-line mini split systems feature sleek aesthetics and offer exceptional energy efficiency that will help you lower your monthly utility bill. Plus, our systems are easy to install and come with a full installation kit all in one package. To learn more about our superior line of mini split systems and how they can benefit your home, contact us today.