Mini Split AC are a popular way to stay cool without the need for air ducts. They can be used in additions to homes, or even newer home renovations where ductwork isn’t available. They’re also a great solution to older homes with leaky ducts that are costing you money on energy bills.
A ductless system can be less expensive to install than a standard central air conditioner because it doesn’t involve installing or connecting to your existing ductwork. Another advantage is that the system is more efficient than traditional systems since there are no ducts to lose energy through. However, installation costs can be more than a traditional AC system – especially in an older home where extensive rewiring may be required.
The most significant drawback to a ductless system is that the indoor unit must be wall mounted or ceiling mounted in order to make room for the power and refrigerant lines that run through it. This can negatively impact the aesthetics of the space, and it may not be possible to “hide” the unit behind a piece of furniture. Some homeowners choose to mount the indoor unit in an attic, which is less invasive and allows for easy access for repairs and maintenance.
Since a ductless system doesn’t use ducts, it can’t deliver as much cooling as a conventional central air system with properly sized ductwork. To ensure you purchase the right size ductless system for your home, a professional should determine the size and number of rooms you want to air condition. Then they will recommend a system that has a suitable BTU capacity for the rooms in question. It’s important to accurately estimate the size of each room and their cooling needs because over or underestimating can cause the system to operate inefficiently.
Another way that a ductless system can save you energy is through variable speed technology, which helps the compressor adjust to only use the amount of electricity it requires. This will not only reduce energy consumption but will also help the system operate at a more comfortable level without overworking the compressor.
Ductless systems can also create zoned comfort, allowing you to control the temperature in specific areas of the house. For example, you might want to treat a bedroom as one zone and the living room and kitchen together as another. By creating different comfort zones, you can increase efficiency by only heating or cooling the spaces you need, and reducing usage in unoccupied zones. While a ductless system can be installed DIY, it’s best to have a trained HVAC expert handle it. This will help to avoid installation mistakes that can lower the efficiency of the system. Plus, a professional can design the right network of indoor units for your unique home.