Why You Should Consider a Ductless HVAC System
There’s a lot to love about a ductless HVAC system. Its compact design and versatility, for one, make it a great alternative to centralized comfort systems in both residential and commercial applications. It’s likewise easy to install and can be used to create zones and provide individualized comfort in every room of your house. The fact that it doesn’t require a network of ducts to distribute conditioned air allows you to avoid significant energy loss resulting from duct leaks.
Here Albert Air, your trusted heating and air conditioning service provider in the area, takes a look at why you should consider a ductless HVAC system for your home.
What Is a Ductless HVAC System?
Also known as a ductless mini-split, a ductless HVAC system is a small but highly-efficient unit that can provide an extra boost of comfort in a certain room or area in your home. They’re built similarly to central air conditioning systems, which means they have an outdoor unit composed of a condenser coil and compressor and an indoor air-handling unit. They also have a conduit, which houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing and a condensate drain which links the indoor and outdoor units.
One of the main reasons why ductless mini-splits are so popular is because they don’t need the pre-existing ductwork that’s required for conventional central air systems. This gives them numerous potential applications in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. They’re also easier and less expensive to install, with many models offering about the same cooling capacity as their conventional counterparts. Depending on your needs and preferences, several models offer as many as four indoor air handling units for four zones/rooms connected to a single outdoor unit.
What Are Its Benefits?
A ductless HVAC system offers many features that can be beneficial to you and your family. Some of these include:
- Fast, efficient installation – As we mentioned earlier, a ductless mini-split system can be installed quickly as long as it’s done by a trusted HVAC technician. Since it doesn’t require any ductwork, the pros can easily install it within the day! As for the connecting lines, no wall restructuring is necessary, as they only need a three-inch hole through which to put the lines. The indoor unit can be placed almost anywhere you want, even in a discrete location, be it the floor, wall or ceiling.
- Better energy efficiency – When you use a central air conditioner to cool your home, it loses around 30% of the conditioned air through leaks and cracks in your ductwork. Your system will have to work harder to make up for the loss, which means it will consume more energy. When this happens, you’ll continue getting high energy bills each month. On the other hand, ductless mini-split units deliver cooled air to your room straight from the outdoor unit with no losses along the way. The air handlers, in fact, consume much less energy compared to central systems. When you have this installed in your home or business, you’ll notice significant savings on your monthly energy bills in the long run.
- Greater reduction of your carbon footprint – Many ductless HVAC systems are more environmentally-friendly and adhere to strict ENERGY STAR® guidelines for energy efficiency. They also use a newer type of refrigerant called R-410A, which doesn’t deplete the ozone layer. Older HVAC systems made before 2010 use R-22 refrigerant, which has been banned and phased out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). So when you choose to install more efficient ductless mini-split units in your home, you’ll be helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. Talk to your HVAC repair and replacement technician about installing a more efficient ductless system today!
- Better indoor air quality – Did you know that the air you breathe indoors can be more polluted than what you breathe outside? This is mainly due to dirty filters that were neglected and not cleaned properly or changed frequently. Even so, the ducts can also contain dust, pollen, mold and other contaminants, especially if they’re not always cleaned during maintenance checks. You won’t have this type of problem if you install a ductless mini-split system in your home. It has a built-in multi-layer filtration system that removes any airborne pollutants circulating in your home. And since the conditioned air doesn’t pass through any ductwork, you can be sure that the air coming from your ductless mini-split system is clean and safe to breathe.
- A good investment – Even if you already have a central heating and cooling system in your home, you can still have a ductless system installed by a professional HVAC repair technician as an alternative source of comfort. These can be used when you want to save more energy than you can with a central system or when you just want to provide cool air to a specific room in your house. These single-unit systems are easy to install and highly energy-efficient, making them a cost-effective investment for your home!
- Design freedom – If you’re renovating your home or your current space can’t accommodate the installation of ductwork behind ceilings and walls, your HVAC contractor will most likely recommend a ductless system. By choosing this, you’ll have more control and flexibility in terms of designing the space you want.
When Do You Choose a Ductless HVAC System?
Still on the fence when it comes to ductless HVAC systems? Here are some situations that may convince you install one in your home:
- Limited space – If space in your home is at a premium and a network of ducts will only make it more cramped, a ductless mini-split system is the most viable option for you.
- Reduced dust build-up – If you or a family member in your home often have to deal with seasonal allergies or a respiratory issue such as asthma, a ductless HVAC system is worth the investment. As mentioned above, it can drastically reduce dust buildup around your house and help improve the quality of the air you breathe.
- Multiple zones – Ductless AC systems work as individual units. You have the option to install up to four indoor air handling units, all of which are connected to an outdoor condenser unit. This means that you can independently set the temperatures in different rooms. With this flexibility, you’ll no longer have to argue with your family when the temperature on the sole thermostat is too hot or too cold for individual preferences.
If you’re still searching for “air conditioning repair near me” online, you won’t have to do this any longer if you put Albert Air on speed dial. As an expert in ductless systems in the area, we’re committed to providing homes and businesses with top-quality heating and cooling solutions to address your particular needs. Call (714) 526-6368 or fill out our online request form to get started with your installation plans.