Today’s A/C & Refrigeration News is a tabloid size trade newspaper
published specifically for air conditioning contractors,
refrigeration technicians, and other trades related to the HVACR & lAQ industries
in Flroida Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, & Tennessee
As sure as the industry changes from year to year, so do the trends of business. The first time I heard the term “Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner” was about 35 years ago. Mitsubishi had made a presentation to our wholesale company in an effort to persuade us to take on their line. They were on the scene of an industry that was smoking with business and traditional split systems, both straight cool and heat pumps were streaming out the door as fast as we could put them in stock. The farthest thing from our minds was interrupting that “Golden Goose” and we respectfully declined the opportunity. Well in true sales and marketing fashion, No did not mean No, it simply meant Not Yet !
Today the Ductless Mini Split business is becoming a major component of the HVAC industries offering to consumers. This slow but sure change has been aided by rising energy cost, changes in the economy, demand for spot cooling, lack of square footage for conventional central systems, and consumer demand. But the biggest factor in the swing to Ductless Mini Splits is the attitude of the contractors and the distribution channels in the industry. Contractors were looking for something different to sell since the usual box seller posture of the industry was changing. There was a time when AC contractors would buy room units from their wholesale distributor and install them for a nominal charge for their better customers. That time in the industry coincided with more room unit manufacture gearing up to capture the room unit market. The need to sell more room units by the manufacturers was not satisfied by the contractors that occasionally installed a room unit here and there. Consequently the room unit business went in another marketing direction to the large retail “Box Sellers” and the consumers were bombarded with the low price and ease of installation of the window air conditioners. This chink in the armor was just the set of conditions the Ductless Mini Split people needed to start establishing themselves as an alternative between the more expensive central systems and the lowest price room units.
Granted the Ductless Mini Split is more expensive than the window unit, but the minor additional cost is easily and quickly recovered in energy savings and home security. The compressor noise was still on the outside of the house and the quiet indoor section could be installed in places here-to-for not accessible with conventional duct systems. Estimates go as high as 30% losses due to leaking and inefficient duct work. The Mini Split stopped duct leakage in its tracks. Installation of the Mini Split took a fraction of the time that conventional system requires. Zone cooling/heating had become a reality for home owners. This kind of data made the Mini Split a ready alternative to the consumer.
The architects and engineers were starting to get on the band wagon since the design flexibility the Mini Splits offer is endless. Mitsubishi was a pioneer in multi air handling indoor sections connected to a single outdoor section. The Mitsubishi Multi made the Mini Split system ideal for retrofit older houses and at the same time provided a unique design application for multi-family housing projects. As the mechanical aspects of the Mini Splits progressed the aesthetics became more important and ComfortStar offered interchangeable front panels to suit the customers taste. It would not be a surprise if the Mini Split of the future could be housed in a piece of furniture. The bottom drawer of a chest of drawers would be ideal. That cabinet in the kitchen over the refrigerator is another perfect place for a Mini Split air handling unit. The Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioners offered by LG Electronics feature and air handling unit behind an illuminated picture frame. Low profile and tasteful design produced a winner for LG.
Since Mini Splits are basically still air conditioners they are subject to standards and regulations of any other AC system. R-410A is an environmentally friendly refrigerant that is the standard for all Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioners. SEERs are keeping pace with the industry as well. Fujitsu Mini Splits boast SEERs as high as 17 SEER. Early on, Mini Splits were limited by the length of refrigerant and electrical lines. They would be typically 25 feet +-. Today with inverter technology line length s may exceed 200 feet. The compressor can regulate the speed to best utilize the refrigerant and at the same time reduce energy requirements of the system. Here again the design flexibility is all important to architects and designers.
Since the 1990s there has been a ground swell of accessories invented and manufactured for the Mini Split industry. Everything from special filters, condensate pumps, line covers, installation accessories. All these products are helping the Mini Split industry mature and make it easier to do business in a MINI World!
Given the slowdown in the new construction business over the last few years the Mini Split has been the salvation of many contractors. If you are looking for good profitable business, to help you weather the current industry conditions, Mini Splits may be for you. We have dedicated this issue to the Mini Split industry in an attempt to call attention to this “tool” that is as close as your wholesale house. Maybe it’s time for you to think MINI !
