If your home doesn't have existing ductwork, you're not out of options. You could have air ducts installed for a traditional split system, or go with a ductless central air conditioning system. A ductless system requires a compressor and condenser outside as well as several blower units inside.
With a ventless portable AC system, you don't need to vent anything out the window—but it will be harder to circulate the hot air from the room without one, so you'll need to come up with another solution, like placing a fan near a warm spot and facing it towards and open water to push the hot air out.
Air Conditioning Options for Homes Without Ductwork. Unique Indoor Comfort offers two primary solutions that will meet the needs of most homeowners looking to install central air conditioning in a house without ducts, ductless mini split systems and high velocity systems.
Energy efficiency: Ductless systems don't lose hot or cold air due to duct leakage. Most mini split systems are approximately 20 to 30 percent more efficient than ducted systems. Multi-purpose: Mini splits also offer dehumidifying and air purifying benefits.
Ductless AC units typically come as a kit and cost between $1,000 and $8,000, with the installation costing about $1,000 depending on the labor time.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Ductless HVAC System? The time it takes to install the system varies. Since these systems are designed for minimal installation, many projects can be completed in 1-2 days. If you have multiple wall-mounted units, the installation process may take a bit longer.
Usually, you can connect one condenser (outdoor unit) to up to eight air handlers inside the house, which means that the system can cool up to eight mini-split zones. Each air handler is fitted with a thermostat, allowing you to set the desired temperature for that specific room.
Ductless systems are potentially much more efficient, so your utility cost is generally much less than with central air. The downside is that the initial cost is more.
While conventional air conditioning units typically offer a service life of around ten years, ductless mini-split systems can last up to 20 years, especially under ideal conditions. This impressive longevity places them among the most durable home appliances available, highlighting their value for money.
Window air conditioning units are smaller, more portable, and easier to install than most other types of units. They are also the cheapest option for adding air conditioning to your home, especially if you're working with a tight budget.
Ducts are essential parts of central air conditioning systems. They allow cool air to flow through the house, keeping rooms comfortable while preventing heat from escaping outside. However, if you don't have ducts installed, you might wonder how they work. In most cases, ducts are built into the walls of a home.
Mini Split AC Systems
Also known as “ductless” split systems, multi-split air conditioning systems allow you to cool only one room instead of the entire home. These targeted systems have an indoor air handler that is smaller than most of the larger systems on the market, as well as an outdoor compressor and condenser.
Ventless portable air conditioners are primarily designed to cool small to medium-sized rooms effectively. While they can provide adequate cooling in larger spaces, their efficiency may diminish, leading to suboptimal temperature control.
If you do not vent your portable AC properly, it simply will not be able to remove the hot air from the building, leaving you with a stuffy, warm room. Unless the air can move from the inside out, you will not feel the benefit of your portable AC unit.
Fortunately, that's not true. You don't need ducts anymore to get strong home cooling. And no, we're not talking about those clunky window AC units. We're talking about ductless mini-splits and innovative and versatile HVAC solutions for all your heating and cooling needs.
Central air conditioning could solve all your sweaty problems, but the price may knock you out cold. The cost to install central air conditioning, including the cost of the unit itself, ranges from around $5,000 to $12,000 on average, according to home services hiring platform Angi.
Air handlers are mounted high on walls or within the ceiling, so they don't take up the floor space typically dedicated to a conventional furnace or air handler. Ductless mini splits can increase the value of a home by freeing up space!
Ductless Mini-Split Cooling Capacities
The average single-zone system with one indoor air handler unit is 12,000 BTUs. A system this size can potentially cool around 500 to 600 square feet of space.
Usually, we use a 20 BTU per sq ft rule of thumb. Example: For a 1,500 sq ft home, you would need 1,500×20 = 30,000 BTU output. You can use one 30,000 BTU mini splits, two 15,000 BTU mini splits, or three 10,000 BTU mini splits. Be aware of the airflow and access to different rooms (secondary factor).
Avoid locations where airflow could be blocked by furniture or other objects, as well as areas with high humidity such as bathrooms or laundry rooms unless the unit is designed for those rooms. Place the unit in the center of the room if possible, or in a location where it can effectively cool the area you use most.
Energy Efficiency:
Ductless air conditioners operate with remarkable energy efficiency compared to traditional systems. By eliminating ductwork and offering individualized temperature control, they avoid the energy losses associated with duct leaks and inefficient distribution.
Do You Need a Mini-Split in Every Room? A full mini-split system (IE, an outdoor condenser and indoor air-handler) isn't typically needed for every room, but an indoor air-handler likely is.
Labor is a major factor when figuring ductless mini split installation costs. Many websites will tell you that labor can cost between $300 and $1000 for a ductless mini-split. Only the simplest, easiest mini-split installations are going to hit that $300 mark.
Ductless Mini-Split Installation Options
The outdoor part of a mini-split system can generally be installed anywhere outside the house. The unit is usually mounted on a concrete or composite pad, but you can also choose to hang it directly on the side of the house. You can even mount it on the roof.