Ductless HVAC systems are generating a lot of attention these days. They’re flexible, efficient, and capable of meeting a broad range of needs. They’re perfect for homes in Crandall, Texas, that were built without HVAC ducting. They also work well in buildings that already have central heating and cooling. If you’re looking for an effective way to boost your home’s value and marketability, lower your carbon footprint, and cut your energy bills, a ductless HVAC system can help you meet all of these goals and more. The following are six reasons to consider the installation of this equipment in your home.
1. Sidestep the Costs of Retrofitting Your Home With Ductwork
If you live in a house that has baseboard heaters or a wall heater, you probably lack a fixed or permanent cooling solution. Many homeowners in Crandall are making do with window air conditioners, tower fans, and ceiling fans. These alternatives to central AC can use tremendous amounts of energy without making a significant difference in your indoor temperature. They aren’t effective for regulating indoor humidity, and they don’t offer adequate air filtration.
One solution is to have HVAC air ducts installed post-construction to accommodate central cooling equipment. Unfortunately, homes that were built without ductwork often lack the space to conceal them post-construction. This means that ductwork can be left exposed, or construction may be needed. Less insulating material around ductwork can result in a lot of energy and heat loss.
Retrofitting a home with HVAC air ducts can be costly. You have to account for the installation of this infrastructure when creating your budget for central AC.
Ductless systems don’t cause such problems. Whether you choose a ductless mini-split air conditioner or a ductless mini-split heat pump, most of the necessary equipment will be installed outside. You’ll have a relatively small condenser or compressor unit installed in your back or side yard. One or more air handlers will be positioned inside the home. Air handling units for ductless heat pumps and AC units can be installed on ceilings, at the upper portions of walls, or in other areas where they’ll have a limited impact on indoor aesthetics. Best of all, very few structural modifications must be made to homes to accommodate ductless mini-splits. Apart from a small hole that’s drilled in the exterior walls of each zone, there’s no other cutting or removing of building materials.
2. Ductless Mini-Splits are Preferred Over Window AC Units
If you’ve been using a window air conditioner to keep cool, you’ll love the fast, efficient, and incredibly quiet operation of a ductless mini-split system. Unlike window AC units, ductless mini-splits don’t rumble or make loud humming sounds during operation. When you turn your air handlers on, you’ll still be able to hear things that are going on around you. They’re quiet enough that you can get a good night’s sleep.
There’s also the fact that window air conditioners block outside views and allow common pests to come inside through any gaps and cracks. Installing a ductless mini-split and taking your window AC out will restore your outside view and protect you from bugs and critters.
3. Using Areas of Your Home That Aren’t Typically Comfortable
Central air conditioning doesn’t always cool all areas adequately. Although central HVAC systems are designed to provide uniform heating and cooling throughout buildings, some rooms don’t have adequate HVAC air vents. For instance, if you recently refinished your basement and want to use it as a home office, a guest bedroom, or a theater room, you can install a ductless mini-split to ventilate this space, regulate its temperature and humidity, and filter the air. In homes that already have central cooling, ductless mini-splits are perfect for servicing remote areas like garages and attic bedrooms. If you opt to install a ductless mini-split heat pump, you can get year-round heating and cooling in all areas.
4. Ductless Systems Are Highly Efficient
Ductless air conditioners and heat pumps are incredibly efficient. In some locations, ductless heat pumps can generate more than three times the amount of heat energy that they consume in electrical energy. Rather than actually producing heated or cooled air, they simply transfer warm air from one location to another. In the summer months, ductless heat pumps and ductless air conditioners are functionally identical. They collect warm air from building interiors and move it outdoors. In winter, ductless heat pumps work in reverse to harness warm outdoor air and bring it inside. As a result, ductless systems only need enough electricity to support their basic functions.
There are also efficiency gains that come from a totally duct-free setup. Leaky, damaged ductwork often deposits heated and cooled air in areas where it has no impact on indoor temperatures. For instance, if you have a central HVAC system with leaky ducts, much of your conditioned air is probably being deposited behind your drywall or in your basement. Ductless systems distribute conditioned air right at its source. The indoor air handlers for these units contain the evaporator coils and chilled refrigerant that give conditioned air its crisp, cold feel. Given that it doesn’t have to travel through ducting at all, none of this air is lost.
Ductless systems are also zoned for efficiency. If you use a ductless system for whole-house cooling, you can have between one and eight air handlers installed. Each of these units will have its own remote and thermostat for independent control. In many households, a significant amount of energy can be saved by simply turning air handlers off in rooms that aren’t occupied. This is a lot cheaper than the uniform, whole-house cooling that central air conditioners supply.
5. Meet the Vastly Different Needs of Residents
Being able to control each air handler independently of the others means that household residents can set their own desired temperatures in their immediate area. This is a huge benefit for people who are always hot when everyone else feels cold or are constantly in need of a sweater when the central AC is on. With customized comfort from a ductless AC, everyone in your home can feel comfortable all of the time.
6. Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
The absence of HVAC air ducts has a tremendous impact on indoor air quality. When air moves through central HVAC ductwork, it often picks up many of the allergens and contaminants that pass right through HVAC air filters. After switching to a ductless system, you’ll have less pet hair, pollen, dirt, and dander floating around your living space.
We’re committed to helping our clients find ideal heating and cooling solutions for their homes. We’ve been proudly serving residents of Crandall, TX, and the surrounding area since 1992. We offer air conditioning, heating, electrical, and indoor air quality services. We also offer ductless systems and preventative maintenance plans. To schedule service, get in touch with Accurate Home Services today.
