Are you building a new home or wanting to modernize your existing residence? Going ductless is a great option, offering many advantages. No ductwork? No problem! Ductless mini-splits are an excellent addition to any home or office.
Ductless mini-splits are small air-source heat pumps designed to adequately heat & cool individual rooms or zones in your home. Many models can have as many as four indoor air-handling units connected to one outdoor unit, allowing you to provide the comfort you want in specific areas of your house. Each of the zones will have its own thermostat, so you only need to condition active spaces. This in turn saves you money on your energy bills as you’re efficiently heating & cooling only occupied areas versus the entire home.
Preserving existing interior design is also far easier when utilizing ductless mini-splits. This is due to the indoor units providing a number of placement options, which you can’t find with other types of add-on systems. From wall mounted units to ceiling cassettes to floor consoles, ductless units come in all shapes and sizes and they are exceptionally inconspicuous. Often where a window AC unit or baseboard heating would be considered, ductless mini-splits solve both needs. Unlike window units, ductless units require only a three-inch hole through a wall for the conduit, making them less vulnerable to air leakage and security issues (easy access for intruders). Overall, the installation of these units can be easy and they offer flexibility when it comes to interior design.
In regards to energy efficiency, ducts are notorious for losing energy, with up to 30% of generated heat dissipating while making its way through duct work, especially if the ducts are in an unconditioned space such as an attic. Since ductless mini-splits don’t require ducts to disperse heat throughout a home, they aren’t subject to the same energy losses. Ductless models also have inverter-driven compressors, which speed up and slow down based on the needs of the system instead of turning off completely like traditional HVAC compressors. Most systems also come with features like timers and built-in sleep functions, giving homeowners more control of when and how they heat their homes.
Care about the planet? Ductless systems follow ENERGY STAR guidelines, which means they are much more efficient than the minimum standards set by the U.S. federal government, helping reduce your carbon footprint. Additionally, ductless systems use a refrigerant called R410A, which is known for its zero ozone depletion potential. This means the system will have less impact on the environment throughout its lifespan.
In the end, ductless mini-splits offer many advantages for heating & cooling your home. They are efficient, quiet (about 32 decibels), improve air quality, and keep a low profile. It’s time to think about upgrading or adding these to a new home. For more information on going ductless mini-splits, see our Carrier Ductless or Mitsubishi Electric Ductless options.