Nothing beats the summer heat like the crisp, cool air of a climate-controlled home. Forced air cooling is your standard option for effective and efficient home cooling, but it is not your only choice. If you struggle to properly cool every room, have a small structure to cool, or face other constraints, consider a ductless mini-split system and discover how it can cool you off and work for your HVAC needs.
What Is a Ductless Mini-Split Heating and Cooling System?
These units are an alternative to standard forced air systems and offer both ductless cooling and heating directly into your room. The vents are designed to work quietly and efficiently.
The unit is called mini because it consists of a streamlined box, the air-handling unit, attached to an interior wall. This small box connects to its outdoor unit, the compressor/condenser, with a three-inch hole in your wall that allows a conduit to drain water and connect the indoor and outdoor units.
Units are rated based on how many square feet they can effectively manage. Your installer will be able to determine which unit works best for your space.
Why Choose a Ductless Mini-Split Heating and Cooling System?
A ductless mini-split unit might be your best choice if any of these 5 situations apply to you.
1. You Lack Proper Ductwork
Some older homes were not constructed with adequate ductwork, especially for multi-level heating and cooling. If your home has missing ducts too expensive or not feasible to install, a ductless system may solve your problem.
Since energy losses through ductwork account for up to 30%
of air-conditioner energy consumption, you can also enjoy HVAC energy savings.
2. You Want Zone Heating and Cooling
Even with existing ducts and an adequate forced air system, for even more energy savings, tap into the zone heating and cooling potential of these units. Add a mini-split unit to heat and cool certain rooms of your house at different levels. Models offer up to four different air-handling units to create separate zones, each with their thermostat.
For increased energy efficiency, choose the room you need to cool more effectively, like your bedroom or your main living space. The rest of your home can be set at a different temperature while you create the perfect zone exactly where you need it.
3. You Heat and Cool a Small Structure
Perhaps you need HVAC solutions for only one small zone. For your tiny home, cottage, workshop, or cabin, a ductless system may be just what you need.
The units are electric, so gas hookup to the home is unnecessary. Often, these small spaces are not ducted. You can still have efficient climate control with the mini-split unit.
4. You Are Medically Sensitive to Mold and Dust
If your mold or dust sensitivity causes asthma flare-ups and other health issues, going ductless can be a solution. Even regular duct cleaning may not be enough to eliminate mold and dust allergens, as the tiniest amounts can cause reactions.
A ductless unit improves air quality as the air blows directly into your space without traveling through ducts. They also have multi-stage air filtration systems.
5. You Can Replace a Window Unit
Perhaps you already tried zone cooling with a window air conditioning unit. Quite often the upper levels of a home, even with an existing ducted air-conditioned system, do not cool effectively in the heat of the summer.
Reclaim your windows for the views and ventilation they offer. A ductless unit is much less intrusive to your room and does not detract from your curb appeal.
If any of these five situations apply to you and your home, consult with us
about solutions for your HVAC needs.
