When it comes to heating and cooling your home, you have several options to choose from, including traditional air conditioners, ductless systems, window units, and space heaters. But what if you only need air conditioning in certain areas of your home? What if you’re uncomfortable leaving the window in your room open for window air conditioners? That’s where ductless air conditioner systems come in. In this article, we’ll take you through how ductless systems work, as well as the pros and cons of using one.
Regardless of the pros and cons, if you would like to speak to an expert about ductless mini-split systems, call the Rockwall air conditioning service experts at Lyons Air & Heat at (214) 432-2859 today. We can help you decide if a ductless system is right for you, and if it is, we can help install and maintain your new system so that it can keep you and your family cool and comfortable for years to come.
What is Ductless Air Conditioning?
A ductless air conditioner, often called a ductless mini split system, is a heating and cooling system that provides indoor air conditioning units to any room in a house. They consist of a wall-mounted indoor unit (an air handler) and an outdoor unit (a condenser). Ductless mini-split systems can connect up to four air handler units to any one outdoor unit.
How Do Ductless Air Conditioners Work?
Ductless mini splits use the outdoor condenser to pull air into the indoor air handler. Then, the air handler runs the air through hot or cold refrigerant lines before pushing the air into the room. Lastly, it sends the refrigerant outside to expel any excess heat or cold.
Is Ductless Air Conditioning Worth It?
Before deciding on a new heating or cooling system, it’s important to understand what you may be getting yourself into. Below are some of the pros and cons of ductless heating so you can better weigh your options and make a decision.
If you’re interested in installing mini-split systems in your Rockwall, TX home, Lyons Air & Heat has you covered for all of your ductless systems needs. We can also repair your existing system or help install a new one. Contact us online to receive a free estimate today!
Pros of Ductless Systems
While traditional HVAC systems have some advantages to them, ductless units have several advantages to them, as well. Some of the pros of mini-split systems include increased indoor air quality, lower energy costs, and increased ease of installation, allowing you to heat or cool your home sooner rather than later.
Easy Installation & Increased Security
One of the pros of a mini-split system is the ease of installation. Ductless mini-splits only require about a 3-inch hole in the wall to connect the indoor and outdoor units. Since the system doesn’t require any invasive ductwork, you can install the indoor portion of the system to any wall or drop ceiling in a room, allowing for more flexibility when deciding where your air handler should go.
Additionally, ductless systems provide greater security than window AC units. A window unit can be a cheap alternative to a more expensive system, but they require you to leave a portion of your window open, potentially allowing intruders to access your home.
Convenient Temperature Control
Another advantage to ductless mini splits is that they allow for greater temperature control. The indoor air handlers each have their own thermostat so you can set different temperatures for different places in your home.
Improved Air Quality
A ductless system can also improve the indoor air quality of your home. Each of the indoor units has its own air filter. Also, unlike a traditional HVAC system, ductless heating and cooling systems don’t have ducts that can trap dirt and dust. This debris build-up can cause the forced air unit to spread harmful particles throughout your home, which could require an air scrubber or other indoor air quality device to fix.
Less Energy Consumption
Another advantage of ductless systems is that they can more efficiently heat or cool a home, requiring less electricity to keep your space as cool as an HVAC system would. Better efficiency means a lower monthly energy bill, saving you money over time.
Forced air systems can experience heat loss in the duct system, which could force the system to use up more power. Additionally, if the ducts become disconnected, they may require Rockwall duct replacement or repair to fix. With a mini-split system, you won’t ever have to worry about this.
Quieter Performance
Mini-split systems also run at a lower volume than forced air systems. Replacing traditional AC units with mini splits can help decrease the noise level in your home.
Cons of Ductless Systems
While there are many advantages to a mini-split system, there are also a few disadvantages, including the system’s cost, appearance, and required maintenance. Below are some of the cons of ductless heating and cooling systems.
Can Be Pricey
One of the main drawbacks to mini-split systems is the initial cost of the units. The cost of ductless heating and cooling systems can be around 30% higher than installing a traditional system. While the energy efficiency of the ductless system can save you money over time, the up-front cost can be steep.
Require Regular Maintenance
Another one of the disadvantages of ductless mini splits is the maintenance required to keep them running properly. An HVAC system may only require you to change air filters once every few months, but a mini split filter will require monthly cleaning. And since each indoor air handler has its own reusable filter, if you have multiple units in your home, you’ll be cleaning multiple filters every single month. Otherwise, your system may not run at peak efficiency, which could increase your monthly energy costs or even decrease the lifespan of your system.
Regardless of what air conditioning system you use to keep your home comfortable, regular maintenance can help ensure your units run efficiently for as long as possible. Interested in scheduling routine maintenance for your HVAC system? Check out the Lyons Air & Heat HVAC maintenance plan.
Not Very Aesthetically Pleasing
Despite the small size of the outdoor unit, ductless systems require a wall-mounted air handler, which some people may consider bulky and not very aesthetically pleasing. Traditional air vents can easily be made to match the look of a given room, whereas mini splits are a lot harder to customize.
Who is The Ideal Candidate for a Ductless AC System?
Several unique sets of circumstances can make you the ideal candidate for a ductless heating and cooling system. You may want to consider installing a mini split if:
- Your home does not have central air conditioning;
- You are renovating or adding to your home;
- You are downsizing your home; or
- There are rooms in your house that have temperature problems.
Ductless systems aren’t for everyone. If your home already has a working HVAC system, it may be more cost-efficient to replace or repair the existing unit or ducts.
Want To Learn More About Our Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems? Call Lyons Air & Heat Today
Choosing to install a ductless system can be a difficult decision to make. Hopefully, by hearing the advantages and disadvantages of mini splits, you can better understand what ductless systems have to offer. Want to learn more? Check out the ductless mini split installation and repair services we offer at Lyons Air & Heating.
We also offer a wide range of heating and cooling services to the residents of Rockwall and the surrounding areas. Our licensed professionals can install, repair, or replace your current HVAC system, provide routine maintenance, and even help improve the air quality of your home. Call us at (214) 432-2859 today for a free estimate.
