What Are Ductless Mini-Splits (and Why Should Homeowners Install Them)?
When the time comes to replace or upgrade that old heater or air conditioner, homeowners have plenty of options. One type of system that’s gaining more and more popularity is the ductless mini-split – but many homeowners are still unfamiliar with what ductless mini-splits are and how they work.
A central HVAC system uses one main unit to deliver air throughout the home via air ducts. In a ductless mini-split system, heating and cooling are provided directly by multiple smaller units installed throughout the home, eliminating the need for air ducts. This design gives mini-split systems several distinct advantages over central heating and cooling systems. This article will explain how mini-splits work, their benefits, and why they’re a great fit for many homes!
Save Money on Energy Bills
Ductless mini-splits use virtually the same technology as most air conditioners and heat pumps, whereby the system extracts heat energy from one environment and releases it into another. This is already an energy-efficient way to heat or cool the home, but mini-splits offer even greater efficiency by nature of their design.
The cooled or heated air doesn’t have to travel through any ductwork to get where it’s going – it’s pumped directly into each room from a wall-mounted unit. A significant amount of air temperature and pressure can be lost in air ducts due to leaks or a lack of insulation. This energy loss is virtually nonexistent in a mini-split system.
In addition, it can take a lot of energy to keep an entire home at the same temperature, particularly if it’s very cold or hot outside. Homeowners can heat or cool only specific rooms with a mini-split heat pump or AC. This means they can avoid wasting energy (and money) on heating or cooling empty rooms and stay comfy without keeping the whole house at the same temperature.
Easier To Install
While installing a mini-split system for an entire home requires the installation of multiple units in various rooms, the installation process is fairly quick and noninvasive – especially compared with installing a network of air ducts. Holes will need to be drilled in walls for the electrical conduits and refrigerant lines that run from the indoor units to the outdoor condenser unit(s), but that’s about as messy as it gets.
For homes without ductwork (those that previously used radiators or floorboard heaters, for instance), a mini-split system is a great option. This is especially true if the home has little space to install ductwork.
If homeowners add a room, insulate an unfinished basement, or convert a garage into a workspace or guest room, installing a mini-split AC or heat pump is usually much better than integrating the new space into the home’s existing duct system.
Improved Comfort and Zone Control
Last but not least, mini-split air conditioners and heat pumps offer greater flexibility and zoning control than central HVAC systems. Each indoor unit in a mini-split system can be independently controlled, so if every room (or nearly every room) has its unit, everyone in the house can keep their space at their preferred temperature without disturbing anyone else.
Likewise, in many larger homes with central HVAC systems, the rooms furthest from the air handler unit often don’t get as much air – so in the winter, one part of the home may be nice and toasty while another can be downright chilly. A mini-split heat pump or AC system eliminates this problem, allowing homeowners more precise control over every inch of their house.
Of course, any new HVAC system is a significant investment, so homeowners should always get a thorough assessment of their home’s heating and cooling needs from a qualified professional to determine if a ductless mini-split is the best option for their household!
About Crowe's Comfort Solutions
Crowe's Comfort Solutions has been Pooler's go-to HVAC company for years. Their licensed, background-checked, and drug-tested technicians always arrive on time in fully-stocked trucks and leave every home better than they found it. As a local business, they are proud to offer competitive up-front pricing, financing, a rewarding membership program, emergency services, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee on every job – so there’s no one better to call for ductless mini-split installation in Pooler, GA!
