For new homeowners, there are a lot of decisions to make. One of these is choosing what type of AC unit to install. One of the biggest factors in this decision is AC efficiency. When it comes down to it, ductless mini-splits might be the better option for many homeowners. Ductless cooling is exactly what it sounds like: providing cool air without the need for ducts. How does this work exactly though? No matter how much you know or don’t know about ductless mini-splits, McCullough Air Conditioning and Heating is here to help with Florida ductless AC installation. Below, we’ve listed all there is to know, including how ductless units stack up against central units and their benefits.
What Makes A Ductless AC?
Ductless mini-splits don’t need ducts because they are only used to cool one room at a time. To do this efficiently, they are made up of three main components: a blower or evaporator unit, a conduit and a condenser.
Blower/Evaporator Unit
Also known as the “indoor unit”, this unit is usually thin, around 3’ long and sits on the wall of the room that it serves. These units provide ductless cooling by sucking in warm air, absorbing heat and moisture and blowing cold air back into the room. As the indoor unit blows cold air into the room, it sends all collected heat and moisture outside through the conduit.
Conduit
Responsible for connecting the indoor and outdoor units, the conduit is a thin, long cable that holds the refrigerant tubing, condensate drain and power cable. Feeding electrical power to both units, the conduit is like a path: heat and moisture exit from inside your home and go towards the condenser.
Condenser
The condenser is relatively easy to understand. Being the “outside” unit, it receives all the heat from inside your house and pushes it outdoors.
Ductless VS Central Units
Similarities
Central and ductless cooling systems produce air in the same way: sucking in warm air, absorbing heat and moisture and dumping it outside. However, this is where all similarities stop.
Differences
While central air conditioners blow cold air into ducts and disperse it throughout the entire home, ductless mini-splits blow cold air directly into their designated room.
Ductless systems might be a little pricier than central ACs if your home already has ductwork. However, installing ductwork does cost over $10,000. If your home is old and doesn’t have ductwork, ductless might be the better choice, as it will bypass the expense of ductwork installation.
Unlike central AC units, the indoor unit of a ductless system can’t be hidden. In ductless systems, the indoor air handler is installed directly onto the wall. This is a stark difference from the indoor unit of a central AC, which is often hidden in an attic, basement or closet. Worry not though! Most ductless ACs are sleeker and less obtrusive than window AC units. Meaning, if your home doesn’t have ductwork and you’re looking for a better visual option, consider ductless AC!
Benefits Of Going Ductless
As they’re designed to cool just one room, ductless units provide “zoning”. This means that each room gets its own remote control to cool the rooms to different temperatures. To cool multiple rooms, ductless ACs allow you to install up to 4 evaporator units for every condenser unit. When it comes to putting an end to temperature wars, ductless units get the point!
Ductless mini-splits also appear to improve AC efficiency. Ductless units mean that you don’t have to worry about losing money, or cool air, to duct leaks. Statistics given on the Department of Energy website show that duct leaks cause 20-30% of cool air to be wasted.
Get Your Ductless Cooling System Today!
Hopefully, the mini-split experts have been able to help you decide which air conditioning unit might be right for you. If you’re moving into a new house, look at your new place of living closely and decide which AC would be right for you. Whether you’re ready for installation or need a second opinion, contact McCullough Air Conditioning and Heating’s professionals ASAP. Our team has all the information on central and ductless systems to be able to help you make the right decision for your home.
