Why A Ductless Heating And Cooling System May Be The Perfect Solution For Your Renovation
Ductwork in a home can be complicated. It has to be installed correctly, maintained, and cleaned. These systems are great for a home that have a ductwork set in place. However, if you have an addition, a renovation, a pool house, or a problematic area in your home, then it might be a great idea of think of an alternative.
Many of today’s highest-performing air conditioners and heaters don’t use ducts. Ductless mini-split heat pumps (mini-splits) are compact units placed on a building’s inside or outside, used for heating or cooling. Mini-splits are compact, efficient, require less maintenance, and feature zoning options. They are also extremely versatile when it comes to their configuration, as you can choose from ceiling recessed, wall-mounted, or floor-mounted ductless systems. If you are considering an HVAC renovation in your home, consider the following reasons for switching to a ductless heating and cooling system.
Energy Efficiency
Mini-splits are more energy efficient than traditional ducted HVAC systems and window units. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of mini-splits fall between 21 and 30; 21 is the highest ratio for traditional systems.
Less Maintenance
A heating and cooling system with no ducts means less maintenance. You don’t have to clean the ducts or deal with the allergens and dust that comes with them. You won’t have to deal with leaky-duct issues. Ductless systems have sophistication filtration systems, improving the indoor air quality of your home.
Automatic Zoning
Since mini-splits are compact, each area, or zone, of a home has a different indoor unit. Each unit heats or cools the designated area. You can set each unit or zone to a different temperature, increasing the energy efficiency of your home. You can’t close off the vents in a home that has a traditional or central HVAC system. Closing vents places too much stress on the machine. A traditional system is sized to heat or cool every room in your house.
Smooth Operation
The mini-splits operate smoothly and efficiently. The traditional ‘whoosh’ sound you hear when a ducted HVAC system turns on is eliminated as the mini-splits are quiet. You also won’t have to hear the clatter that comes with a window unit.
Ease Of Install
When it comes to installing the mini-splits, it is a simple process for most homes and can usually be installed within a day. The units are versatile in their installation as they can be wall-mounted, floor-mounted, or ceiling-recessed. You do not have to live in a construction zone which is what happens when homeowners choose to install new ductwork into a renovation or addition of their home.
Positive Alternative To Window Units
Traditionally speaking, the window unit air conditioner has been a common cooling solution for stuffy upstairs rooms. Unfortunately, these units are an inefficient way to cool rooms that don’t have a central HVAC system or have low air flow. Other window AC unit flaws are:
Cons Of Window Units
- Blocks out natural light
- Unsightly and can be seen from inside and outside
- They are prohibited by some Homeowners Associations
- Very noisy, especially disruptive at night.
- Weaken a home’s security as someone can simply push the unit inside or pull it out of the window to gain access inside.
With mini-splits, these issues are resolved. There is no blocking of natural light. The outdoor units can be mounted at the back or along the side of the house so they do not ruin a home’s curb appeal or home’s aesthetic. There are no issues with HOAs and mini-splits, and they also pose no security threat. They are compact, efficient, and run quietly.
When it comes time to give your home an HVAC renovation, consider going ductless for your heating and cooling needs. Not only is this choice an eco-friendly one that you can feel good about, mini-splits are easy and versatile to install, pleasant to look at, and won’t disturb your peace as they run smoothly and quietly in the background.
Avoid The Hassle Of Adding Ducts
When you have a new room or an addition to your house, sometimes connecting ducts from your new room to your existing central system isn’t always an easy option. Not only would you have to install the new ducts, you would have to replace your original heating and air conditioning system to handle the new load requirements that your home has. Mini-splits give you the option to leave your original ductwork in place. With a ductless unit, you also won’t have to burden your existing equipment either. Your new addition or retrofit can have year-round comfort without the hassle.
