Are Ductless HVAC Systems a Good Idea?

Ductless Mini-Split - Tulsa, OK

If you've wondered whether a ductless HVAC system is a good idea for your home, talk to your HVAC consultant and get the lowdown on what is commonly known as the ductless mini-split. Ask your consultant how well this HVAC system is likely to work in our climate. Following are some important facts about this technology so you can better evaluate whether it's for you.

Do Mini Splits Heat and Cool?

Although you can acquire a mini-split that only cools, you might want to look at those with heating capability. A few years ago, mini-splits were not considered as efficient as heating systems in areas where temperatures fell below freezing, but they have been vastly improved in recent years, so they may work well in winter in your home.

Are Mini-Splits Quiet?

Mini splits were once known for being noisy, but no longer. In fact, many homeowners choose them because of the quiet, gentle flow of heated or cooled air that the air handler puts out as compared to the sudden — and noisy — rush of conditioned air from a central system.

Are Ductless HVAC Systems Challenging to Install?

Not really. However, you do need to hire someone with experience and good training in installing mini-splits so yours will work properly and efficiently. In most cases, installing a mini-split is not a DIY job.

Ductless HVAC systems are considered fairly straightforward to install, with an outdoor condenser and a conduit with wires and refrigerant leading to an indoor air handler. The air handlers typically are very versatile when being fitted into the home, with some models designed to be tucked away on a shelf or in a corner. Furthermore, they don't need to be connected to a system of ductwork.

Are Ductless Systems Expensive?

Ductless systems can be considered expensive, costing between $1,500 and $2,000 per ton (12,000 Btu per hour) of cooling capacity. However, they are extremely efficient and can save a homeowner as much as 30% a year on energy bills. 

For more on ductless HVAC, contact Air Assurance. We serve Broken Arrow and the surrounding area.

Ductless Mini Splits: 6 Benefits And Year-Round Comfort, Too

If you have a space in your home that's difficult to heat or cool, or you're planning an addition to your home, consider ductless mini splits. These systems are heat pumps that don't require any ductwork to distribute the conditioned air. These systems remove the heat from your home in the summer and harvest it from the air outdoors in the winter to heat your home. These systems provide these benefits:

1. Easy installation. The two components of mini splits are the indoor air handler and the outdoor condenser. They connect with a conduit that carries the refrigerant, power supply and drain pipe.

2. Space-saving. Since ductless mini splits don't use ducts, they free up space, an important consideration if you're planning an addition and don't want to lose space to house ductwork.

3. Energy efficient. Mini splits have to meet the same energy efficiency standards as heat pumps. The cooling efficiency must meet 13 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) and the heating minimum is 7.7 HSPF (heating season performance factor). In our region, choosing a mini split that has a scroll compressor increases the heating capacity, along with the HSPF, which can increase the heat by 10 to 15 degrees. Each air handler has its own temperature controls, making this type of system even more energy efficient, since you can shut off the conditioning for rooms you're not using. Most systems achieve 16 SEER plus, and some even reach over 20!!

4. Versatile. The air handlers can sit on the floor, be placed on a wall or hung from the ceiling. Larger condensers can support up to four separate air handlers, making it possible to extend your system in the future.

5. Quiet. Most of the noise a mini split creates is outdoors and since they don't require ductwork, there's no noise created by air rushing through ducts.

6. Secure. Unlike wall or window air conditioners, there's no possibility of anyone intruding into your home through the small hole for the conduit.

If you'd like to learn more about ductless mini splits, contact Air Assurance. We've provided HVAC services for Broken Arrow for more than 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). Image courtesy of Shutterstock