Ductless Technology Myths Busted

If you’re considering a ductless mini split system for your home, don’t let ductless technology myths stand in your way. Before ruling a ductless system out based on what you’ve heard, consider these facts that dispel the myths.

Myth #1: They can go anywhere.

This is not quite true, although ductless system offer a lot of flexibility. The position of the air handler in the room depends on the size of the room and its layout.The outdoor condenser should be placed as close to the air handler as possible to limit the length of the conduit that the mini split requires. A shorter conduit improves the energy efficiency of the mini split.

Myth #2: They’re only good for remodels or add-ons.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Ductless mini splits work well in new construction as well. They don’t require square footage for ductwork, don’t need a special room or closet to house the air handler and act as zoning systems.Each air handler for a mini split has its own thermostat, which means you can turn it off when you’re not using the space. The ability to zone saves energy dollars, as well as extends the life of each mini split.

Myth #3: Ductless systems are just for supplemental heating and cooling.

Properly sized, a ductless system will keep any interior space comfortable. In order to get the most comfort and efficiency from each mini split, the room should be well insulated and have few air leaks.It’s always best to work with a reputable HVAC contractor from start to finish to find the best system for you and avoid all the ductless technology myths.

Myth #4: A mini split can’t be used with ductwork.

HVAC engineers have found that ductless air handlers work as efficiently, if not more so, than central heat pumps. Many ductless systems use inverter technology that saves substantial amounts of electricity, as do the thermostats on the separate air handlers.

If you’ve like more information about these ductless technology myths and others, contact the pros at Air Assurance. We provide HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Ductless Systems are Perfect for Home Additions

When adding a new addition to your home, one of the most important considerations is how to most efficiently heat and cool this new space. In this situation, a ductless system can play a superior role. Here is how.

What is a Ductless System?

Ductless heating and cooling systems, sometimes called mini-split systems, consist of an outdoor condenser and an indoor unit containing the evaporator and air handler. A refrigerant line and cables connect the two units through a hole in an exterior wall.Ductless systems operate similarly to central air. The biggest difference is that there is no need for ductwork. Refrigerant travels from the compressor to the indoor unit, which is usually mounted on an exterior wall. In the cooling mode, as air circulates through the indoor unit it moves over the evaporator coils and loses heat. The cooled air is then blown directly into the room.

Why it's Perfect for Additions

When you add a new space to your home, the heating and cooling load automatically changes. This means that the current HVAC system will lose efficiency if you simply extend ductwork to the new space. Buying a brand new, larger HVAC system just because you have added new area to your home can be very costly. A mini-split system is a more efficient and a less expensive option, especially if you account for the extra ductwork you would otherwise need, the heating and cooling load calculations that would need to be performed and the price of installing a new whole-home system.A mini-split system is also easy to install and easily customized to meet the requirements of new additions. Each comes with its own thermostat so you can adjust the heating or cooling according to the particular needs of the new space. In addition, each outdoor unit of a mini-split can support several indoor air handlers. If you add more rooms later on, you don’t have to purchase full mini-split systems each time.

For more about getting a ductless system for your Broken Arrow home, please contact us at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “DoublePHOTO studio/Shutterstock”

Consider Installing Ductless Mini Splits in Your Home

A central HVAC system is the most common way to keep a home comfortable year-round, but it’s not always feasible, especially in older homes without pre-existing ductwork. A ductless mini split system could be a solution to this problem, offering unparalleled flexibility and efficiency.

How Ductless Systems Keep Your Home Warm

A ductless mini split system uses the same technology that makes it possible for central HVAC systems to provide reliable warmth to your living spaces. Ductless heat pumps pull latent heat from outdoor air and transfer that heat into your home.Ductless heat pumps can also be paired with radiant panels, hydronic and other supplemental heating systems for those periods when temperatures drop below freezing.

Reasons to Consider Installing One

Ductless systems are ideal in cases where installing a duct system for a central HVAC system would either be cost prohibitive or simply impossible. Older homes and small apartments can definitely benefit from having a ductless system installed, since there’s no ductwork needed.

Ductless systems also offer better security than window-mounted air conditioner units. Instead of having an A/C unit occupy an entire window, a ductless air handler only needs a small hole for its plumbing to pass through. This removes a rather common entry point for burglars.Last but not least, most ductless heating and cooling systems are easier and less expensive to install than a traditional central HVAC system. Ductless systems also use less energy, translating into big savings for homeowners.

To learn more about installing a ductless system in your home, contact Air Assurance. We've served the Broken Arrow area for 30 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Gladskikh Tatiana/Shutterstock”