Seven Reasons to Consider a Ductless Mini Split System

Unfortunately, your air conditioner isn’t built to last forever. Over time, your ac wears down and loses its efficiency, which costs you higher utility bills and more frustrating repair bills. An old air conditioner, however, is much more than a nuisance, but a safety hazard. An old air conditioner is at risk of mold and leaking toxic refrigerant, as well as starting a fire from old wiring. If it’s time to put your air conditioner out of its misery, a worthwhile replacement may be a ductless mini split system.

Why You Should Choose Ductless

Unlike other heating and air conditioner systems, a ductless mini split system doesn’t rely on air ducts to deliver cooled air and heat into your home. Here are seven reasons why a ductless mini split system should be your next air conditioner.

• You have options. A mini-split works a little differently than other air conditioners, and one perk of that is how you can zone each room for heating and cooling. It allows you to control the temperature in individual rooms, which is helpful to prevent wasted energy cooling unused rooms. Ductless air conditioners are also an easy replacement for older inefficient window units or space heaters.
• You save money. Mini split systems are energy efficient, which ends up saving you money on your utility bills and maintenance costs. Since they’re smaller in size, they use less power to generate chilled air. A great deal of chilled air or heat is lost through air ducts, but a ductless mini split system helps you save up to 30% of energy costs. Some utility companies will even offer a tax rebate for installing a ductless mini split system in your home.
• You’ll breathe easier. Unlike other air conditioners, a ductless mini split system spares you the irritating dust and allergens that would otherwise collect inside air ducts and ventilate throughout your home.
• They’re eco-friendly. On top of being energy efficient, mini-split uses a different refrigerant than other forced-air air conditioners. This refrigerant has a zero ozone depletion potential, meaning it has less of an impact on the environment.
• They’re small. If you’re tight for space, a ductless mini split system may be the right choice. Because of their small size, you have as many as four indoor units throughout your home, all connected to the same outdoor unit. If you want an air conditioner with low visibility, they can be mounted high up on your wall or ceiling.
• They’re quiet. While some air conditioners have you pulling your hair out due to their incessant rattling and humming, a ductless mini split system is quiet to operate. It’s an easy installation. Since there’s no need to expand or install air ducts, a ductless mini split system makes for an easy installation. The units are small in size, and only require a three-inch hole in your home to connect the indoor and outdoor units.

What You Need to Consider When Installing a Ductless Mini Split System

Where you place your ductless mini split system is crucial, and it usually requires the help of an HVAC professional. Some homeowners may find the look of indoor air handling units to be unappealing, as they do take up wall space. If a ductless mini split system seems right for your home, then you have a few different features to consider first.

• The number of zones. A ductless mini split system works by air conditioning individual rooms. If you choose a single-zone ductless air conditioner, it will only cool and heat one room or area. If you choose a multi-zone ductless air conditioner, the cost goes up with each zone.
• BTU. The British Thermal Unit or BTU measures how much space an air conditioner can cool. The larger the BTU the more space is cooled per air conditioner. If you frequently experience sweltering weather, you may want to consider looking for a higher BTU.
• Voltage. Most ductless units can run fine on the standard 110-120 volt outlet. If that’s the case, you’ll need to contact an electrician to discuss your home’s outlets. Using an outlet with too low a voltage can either blow a fuse or start a fire.

Don’t Wait to Start Saving Energy

Nobody wants to deal with a busted air conditioner, especially when they need it most. Constantly maintaining your ac can be expensive, and it’s hard enough to cut down on heating and cooling costs. If it’s time to replace, a mini split system can spare you some of the maintenance. Finding and installing the best ductless air conditioner for your home, however, will require professional help. Don’t wait if you need to replace – call an HVAC technician today.