Affordable Ductless Air Conditioning

If you have no ductwork built-in at home, central AC installation could quickly turn into a costly and time-consuming operation. While central AC is an easy way to cool down a whole home, some homes and budgets simply cannot accommodate such systems. Luckily there are many other options for these people who still want to cool their homes but cannot buy a central AC unit.

If you happen to live in a dryer climate, evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers could be a worthwhile option. But, they tend to be very noisy and are limited when it comes to their cooling abilities. Most people are opting for a mini-split as an alternative, as they have been effective in many other countries for years. 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?

In each house, ductless systems use an outside condenser and air handling units. It is the refrigerant that makes the indoor air cold and blows it out of the room. The heat is moved through the conduit and expelled outside into the atmosphere.

Air handler fans are designed for quiet operation and are no louder than central AC and much less so than a window fan. The condenser, which is the loudest part of the system, can be found outside the house, similar to the central air conditioning system.

For a ductless device, the air handlers can be placed on the roof, on the floor, or recessed into the ceiling or wall for a smooth look, and any space that requires cooling will need an air handling unit. You can control the units separately or set them up to communicate with a thermostat.

In order to create different areas of cool air, several thermostats can be mounted throughout the home. For example, you could have separate thermostats for upstairs and downstairs areas, or zone off spaces that you don’t use very often, only activating them when you need to. Most ductless systems offer the option of programming up to four separate zones.

What are the benefits of ductless systems?

For homes that do not have the infrastructure of ducts then they can easily have a ductless mini-split air conditioning system installed. Homeowners usually have a choice in the type of air handlers that are mounted and where they are located in the house. Slightly more expensive are those that lay flushed with the ceiling or wall but are more aesthetically appealing.

To accommodate the installation of the ductwork needed for central air conditioning, holes will need to be cut into your home’s walls and ceilings, and you’ll probably lose 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.

Because there are no large pathways through which cool air needs to travel, ductless air conditioning systems are typically more energy-efficient than central AC systems. The ductwork on your AC can waste up to 30% of the energy used to cool your home, which means that your power bill will suffer. The energy loss comes from the cooled air escaping through seams, holes, and leaks in the ductwork.

The entire home does not need to be cooled at the same time and there are methods such as setting up unique zones and making use of ductless mini-split systems. This way the entire home does not need to be cooled. For instance, bedrooms upstairs can be set to an adequate sleeping temperature without having to set the temperature downstairs until morning. Such a feature of the ductless mini-split system will allow the homeowner to have a lower power bill.

Compared to a window-mounted air conditioner, a ductless AC system offers the advantages of safety and pest prevention from having a partially open window. These systems also offer more flexibility on its placement as they don’t need to be placed in the window but can be placed elsewhere in the room. They may also be switched to a warm setting in the winter, providing dual functionality for all-year-round comfort and convenience.

Professional Installation

If you have opted for a ductless mini-split AC unit in your home, then an AC professional can easily install that system for you. The professional will calculate how many units you need based on your home’s size, and they will also discuss any pertinent zoning issues if they apply.

While it’s certainly easier to install a ductless system than to add ductwork to an existing home, it’s still important to have it done by a professional who knows how to install wiring properly and is able to handle toxic refrigerant safely. An expert can also advise on the better placement of your air handlers and the best style of units suitable for your home. An experienced professional will be able to service, repair, or replace your AC system and get your home cooled to a comfortable temperature in no time.