Mini Split

Eliminate Hot and Cold Spots for Consistent Home Comfort

Tired of fluctuating temperatures in your home? Our ductless mini-splits offer a customizable solution to ensure year-round comfort regardless of the season. If you are ready to secure your comfort, contact us now to discuss installation or inquire about our flexible financing options.

We understand that older homes and room additions in South Central Kentucky often suffer from inadequate airflow, leading to uncomfortable living spaces. Carter Heating and Cooling provides targeted climate control solutions that solve these issues immediately.

• Achieve precise temperature control in each room with multi-zone capabilities.
• Reduce your energy bills with highly efficient units that adapt to your needs.
• Enjoy quick, non-intrusive installation that won’t disrupt your day.

All installations are backed by full warranties and compliant with local codes, with flexible financing available.

What You Receive With a Professional Installation

Investing in a ductless mini-split system is about more than just buying hardware; it is about acquiring a complete, turnkey solution for your home’s climate challenges. When you choose a professional installation, you receive a system designed specifically for the layout and thermal load of your property. This technology serves homeowners across Bowling Green, Glasgow, and surrounding areas who need to bypass the limitations of traditional central air.

We provide a comprehensive service package that covers every aspect of the project. This begins with a load calculation to ensure the unit is neither undersized nor oversized. An undersized unit runs constantly without reaching the set temperature, while an oversized unit short-cycles, failing to remove humidity effectively. Our process ensures the equipment matches the specific square footage and insulation levels of your room.

Included in the installation service:

• High-Efficiency Equipment: We supply top-tier outdoor condensers and indoor air handlers equipped with inverter technology. This technology allows the compressor to speed up or slow down based on demand, rather than turning fully on or off, which significantly reduces energy consumption.
• Mounting and Hardware: All necessary brackets, stands, and vibration pads are included to ensure the outdoor unit is stable and quiet. Whether wall-mounted, floor-mounted, or ceiling-recessed, the indoor units are secured with precision.
• Line Set Concealment: We prioritize aesthetics. The refrigerant lines, drain tubing, and electrical wiring running between the indoor and outdoor units are covered with durable, paintable line hide covers. This protects the components from the elements and maintains the visual appeal of your home’s exterior.
• Electrical Integration: Safe connection to your home’s electrical panel is standard. This often involves installing a new disconnect box and whip to meet safety codes.
• Debris Removal and Cleanup: The workspace is left exactly as it was found, with all packaging materials, old equipment (if applicable), and installation debris removed from the premises.

The Installation Process: From Assessment to Operation

The workflow for installing a ductless mini-split is streamlined and far less invasive than retrofitting a home with ductwork. For residents in Franklin and Russellville, this means avoiding the mess of drywall demolition and the expense of building chases for ducts. The entire process is typically completed within a single day for single-zone systems.

Site Evaluation and Mapping

The process begins with mapping the best location for the indoor and outdoor units. The indoor unit must be placed high on a wall to distribute air effectively across the room, free from obstructions. The outdoor unit requires a flat surface with adequate clearance for airflow. We identify a path for the refrigerant lines that is direct and unobtrusive.

Structural Preparation

A small, three-inch hole is drilled through the exterior wall. This is the only structural modification required. This hole serves as the conduit for the refrigerant lines, drainage tubing, and communication wires. The angle of the hole is critical; it must be slightly sloped downward toward the exterior to ensure proper gravity drainage of condensate water.

Mounting the Units

The indoor mounting plate is leveled and secured to the interior wall studs. The air handler is then latched onto this plate. Outside, the condenser is placed on a concrete pad or mounted to the side of the house using heavy-duty brackets. Keeping the unit off the ground is particularly important in South Central Kentucky to prevent snow accumulation or debris from obstructing the fan during storm seasons.

Making Connections

The copper refrigerant lines are flared and connected to both units. This is a precision task; improper flaring is a leading cause of refrigerant leaks. Once connected, the lines are insulated to prevent energy loss and condensation buildup. Communication wires are connected to synchronize the indoor and outdoor components.

Pressure Testing and Vacuum

Before refrigerant is released, the system is pressure-tested with nitrogen to confirm the integrity of the lines. Following this, a vacuum pump removes all moisture and air from the lines. Moisture inside the system can freeze and damage the compressor or degrade the oil, so achieving a deep vacuum is a non-negotiable step.

System Startup

The service valves are opened, allowing refrigerant to flow. The system is powered on and tested in both heating and cooling modes. We verify that the drain line flows freely and that the remote control or wall thermostat is communicating correctly with the unit.

Deciding Between Repair and Replacement

Ductless systems are durable, but like all mechanical equipment, they have a finite lifespan. Determining whether to repair an existing unit or invest in a new one depends on the age of the system, the cost of the repair, and the type of refrigerant used.

When to Repair

If your system is under ten years old and the issue is minor, repair is usually the most cost-effective route.

• Sensor Failures: Sometimes a unit stops working simply because a thermistor or sensor is reading incorrect data. This is a quick, inexpensive fix.
• Board Replacements: If a control board fails due to a power surge but the compressor is healthy, replacing the board extends the life of the unit significantly.
• Drainage Issues: Water leaking from the indoor unit is typically due to a clogged drain line or a dirty filter, both of which are maintenance tasks rather than reasons for replacement.

When to Replace

There are specific scenarios where pouring money into repairs yields diminishing returns.

• Compressor Failure: The compressor is the heart of the system. If it fails and the unit is out of warranty, the cost of the part and labor often approaches the price of a brand-new system.
• R-22 Refrigerant: Older units that utilize R-22 refrigerant are obsolete. This refrigerant is no longer manufactured due to environmental regulations. If an R-22 unit develops a leak, it should be replaced with a modern system that uses R-410A or newer refrigerants.
• Efficiency Gaps: Modern mini-splits have significantly higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings than models from just a decade ago. Replacing a 13 SEER unit with a 20+ SEER unit can result in immediate monthly energy savings that help offset the installation cost.
• Multiple Major Repairs: If you find yourself calling for service multiple times a year for different components in Scottsville or surrounding areas, the unit has likely reached the end of its reliable service life.

Navigating Local Climate and Regulations

The climate in South Central Kentucky presents specific challenges that ductless mini-splits are uniquely equipped to handle. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate, meaning summers are hot and heavy with moisture, while winters can dip below freezing.

Humidity Management

In March and April, the region receives significant precipitation. Traditional air conditioners often cool a room quickly but shut off before they have removed enough humidity, leaving the air feeling clammy. Variable-speed mini-splits run for longer periods at lower speeds. This continuous operation constantly pulls moisture from the air, maintaining a comfortable "dry bulb" temperature. This feature is essential for comfort in cities like Bowling Green where humidity levels remain high through late summer.

Heating Performance

Modern mini-splits act as heat pumps. They can reverse their operation to provide heating in the winter. Historically, heat pumps struggled in freezing temperatures. However, current hyper-heating technology allows these units to extract heat from the outside air even when temperatures drop well below freezing. This makes them a viable primary heat source for many spaces, or an excellent supplemental source to reduce reliance on expensive propane or electric baseboard heat.

Permits and Electrical Codes

Installation requires adherence to local building and electrical codes. New circuits must be dedicated to the HVAC equipment to prevent overloading your home’s electrical panel. Professional installers handle the permitting process, ensuring that the wire gauge, breaker size, and disconnect placement meet all safety standards.

Rebate Opportunities

Local utility providers and federal programs often incentivize the switch to high-efficiency electric heating and cooling. Ductless systems with high SEER and HSPF ratings frequently qualify for rebates. These financial incentives can significantly lower the net cost of the investment. We stay updated on current offerings to help homeowners maximize their savings.

Why Homeowners Are Switching to Ductless

The adoption of ductless technology is growing rapidly as homeowners recognize the limitations of forced-air systems.

Zoned Comfort Control

The primary advantage is zoning. In a central air system, a single thermostat dictates the temperature for the entire house. This inevitably leads to hot upper floors and freezing basements. Ductless heads are controlled individually. You can keep the living room cool while the bedroom remains warmer during the day, or simply turn off units in unoccupied rooms.

Energy Efficiency

Ductwork in unconditioned spaces, such as attics or crawlspaces, can lose up to 30% of the energy generated by the HVAC system through leaks and thermal transfer. Ductless systems eliminate this loss entirely by delivering air directly into the room. Combined with inverter-driven compressors, this results in drastically lower utility bills.

Versatility for Various Spaces

Mini-splits are the ideal solution for spaces that are difficult to heat and cool.

• Historic Homes: Older properties in Glasgow often lack the space for bulky ductwork. Mini-splits preserve the architectural integrity of the home.
• Sunrooms and Garages: These areas are rarely connected to the central system. A single ductless head can transform a three-season room into year-round living space.
• Bonus Rooms: Additions over garages are notoriously difficult to condition. A mini-split provides independent control for these areas without straining the main house system.

Improved Air Quality

Ductwork is a breeding ground for dust, mold, and allergens. Because mini-splits do not use ducts, they reduce the circulation of these particulates. Furthermore, the indoor units feature multi-stage filtration that captures dust and pollen, improving the indoor air quality for your family.

Secure Your Comfort with Expert Installation

Choosing the right system is the first step; choosing the right partner for installation is the second. Carter Heating and Cooling ensures that every ductless mini-split is installed with precision, optimized for efficiency, and backed by reliable support. Whether you are looking to condition a single bonus room or require a whole-home multi-zone solution, the technology exists to provide whisper-quiet, efficient comfort.

Stop letting the weather dictate your indoor experience. Take control of your home’s climate with a system designed for performance and longevity.

Schedule your on-site assessment today and experience the difference of precise climate control.