Affordable Ductless Air Conditioning

If your home is not equipped with ductwork, installation of centralized AC system can escalate expenses and can take lot of time. Although central AC is an easy way to cool the entire house, some houses and budgets simply cannot accommodate this type of system. But fortunately for these people there are many alternative options out there.

A “swamp cooler” or evaporative cooler is a good choice for homes located in dryer climates. But, they tend to be very noisy and are limited when it comes to their cooling abilities. Ductless mini-split systems have long been a popular option in other countries and are becoming more common here. This type of system is beneficial for homes that are not made for central AC as they allow you to cool certain zones, they’re easy to install, and they’re energy efficient.

How does ductless air conditioning work?

Ductless systems use an outside-placed condenser and air handling units in every room. Air that comes into the unit is cooled by refrigerant, and then redistributed back into the room. The heat is expelled into the outdoors via a conduit.

The fans in the air handlers are designed to run as quietly as possible, so they’re no louder than a central AC system and run much more quietly than the typical window fan. The condenser is the loudest system component but is always installed outside the home.

Air handlers can be mounted on or in the ceiling or a wall in any room needing air conditioning. Controls can be done individually or attained by setting up communications to a thermostat.

In order to create different areas of cool air, several thermostats can be mounted throughout the home. You might want to have separate thermostats for different floors or in rooms that aren’t used very often, such as guest rooms. A ductless system typically accommodates up to four separately programmed thermostats.

What are the benefits of ductless systems?

It is easy to install an air conditioning system that uses a ductless mini-split system in a house that has no ducts. Homeowners are free to position the type of air handler unit they want installed for their room. The ones that appear flushed with the wall or ceiling will have a higher price tag.

Retrofitting an existing home to accommodate central air conditioning ducts usually involves making a hole in walls and ceilings and losing some closet space. With a ductless system, however, the only retrofitting needed is to cut a small home to allow the air handlers installed in your home to be connected to the condenser unit installed outdoors.

Ductless air conditioning systems save energy because the cool air doesn’t travel through large-diameter ducts. It takes about 30% more energy to cool home when air must travel through ductwork. This waste is usually caused by seams, holes, or leaks in the ductwork.

Homeowners can have different zones of cool areas when they use a ductless mini-split system in their home. For example, if bedrooms are upstairs, homeowners can set the temperature upstairs for comfortable sleeping without having to set the temperature downstairs. This will definitely be a better way to lower your electricity bills.

A ductless system is much better than window units due to the fact that they don’t require a window to be partially open, which can compromise the safety and pest prevention of your home. Ductless systems have more flexibility of placement in the room over window air conditioners. Additionally, a ductless system can be set to warm in the cold months, which means you can be comfy year round.

Professional Installation

If you have decided in favor of ductless mini split AC for your household, an expert can install it in a day. They will assess your home to find out the number of units necessary for the space to be cooled and if necessary will also talk to you about zoning.

Even though a ductless system installation is typically easier than retrofitting ductwork, the installation work still ought to be done by a professional due to the use of poisonous refrigerant liquid and electrical wiring. Ask your chosen professional what kind of air handlers would be best for your home and where they should be installed. When your system needs regular maintenance, repair, or replacement, an AC professional is the one to call.