They're also exceedingly energy-efficient. “In the average house, you're losing 25 percent or more of your energy to ductwork,” says James Bowman, National Technical Manager for RectorSeal and a 20+ year veteran of the HVAC industry. “Simply by removing the ducts, you end up with a more efficient system.
Ductless mini split systems are extremely efficient. Compared to conventional room air conditioners like window units and portable ACs, using a ductless mini split cooling system can cut energy costs by 30 percent.
Find a setting your most comfortable with and stick with that. Let your system run continuously. Set it and forget it. A mini-split system uses less energy and keeps temperatures most consistent when it runs continuously, as in, 24/7.
A ductless heating and cooling system can last 20 years or more. That's a longer lifespan than your average HVAC system. Most traditional furnaces and central air units stay in service for up to 15 years with regular service.
Both can be used to cool a single room without ductwork. But a mini-split can add more evaporator units (up to 4) to one condenser unit. So technically it can cool up to 4 rooms. Mini-splits are also much more energy efficient than window units and last longer, too.
The truth is, it depends. This is because houses are different, ranging in size, the number of rooms and floors and other factors that affect the heating and cooling system. The simple answer is that an entire single level home with proper air flow can be served with the right sized single zone unit.
Wall Placement/Height
Select a location that's solid enough to support the unit's weight. This will also help prevent vibration, which can make the unit excessively noisy. Placing the unit at a decent height (at least 7 feet off the ground for wall mounted units) allows for good airflow and convenient drainage.
Cons Of Ductless Mini Split AC System
The downside of this type of system is that it doesn't provide as much comfort and cooling on the hotter days, which can be a problem. And since they don't have ducts, you won't get any extra heating if your home's temperature dips below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
On average, the initial cost of installing a ductless heat pump system is about 30% higher than the cost to install a central system (without ductwork).
Overall, mini splits are a cost-effective option for heating and cooling. You won't see a huge hike in an electric bill, and they offer flexibility that traditional HVAC systems don't. Reach out to us if you need help choosing the best mini split for your needs.
On average, ductless air conditioning units run at about 32 decibels. According to IAC Acoustics, an industrial noise control resource, 30 decibels is about the equivalent of being in a “quiet rural area.” It's a little louder than rustling leaves, which emit 20 decibels of sound.
The most common mini split installed is a 12,000 BTU unit– which can heat or cool up to about 550 square feet. Depending on the size of your home, you may need to install multiple mini split AC systems — perhaps of varying sizes — to adequately heat or cool the property.
A ductless mini split works essentially the same way as a regular, central air conditioning system but without the ducts. It still draws warm air from inside the home, absorbs that heat and moisture in the air, sends it outside, cools it, and then sends the cool air back inside.
Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems have filters that catch dirt, dust, and allergens in the air. Cleaning the filters with a small vacuum each month will allow your unit to run smoothly, and you'll get the maximum return on investment for your ductless system.
Sealing or even replacing traditional ductwork can be a costly endeavor for existing and prospective homeowners, so ductless mini splits increase the value of a home by eliminating this home improvement project and its expenses.
Prospective buyers are likely to see the advantages of mini split systems. This is especially true when it comes to energy efficiency and cost savings. While it's difficult to determine just how much a mini split system will increase home value, it certainly won't decrease it.
High Efficiency
Ductless mini split systems are designed with efficiency in mind, which allows them to cool your home without costing you an arm and a leg. This is particularly helpful in the Boston area, where older homes are often expensive to cool and heat with more conventional HVAC systems.
The average price of purchasing and installing a ductless air conditioning unit can range from as low as $2,000 for a single-zone system to up to $16,500 for a multi-zone system with five air handlers. Installation of ductless systems usually takes one day, but multiple-zone systems may require additional time.
With that in mind, mini-split systems can certainly be installed on interior walls in most circumstances, giving each area regulated climate control at your convenience.
Low ambient mini splits are specially-designed to operate at very low temperatures. Many can run at 100 percent efficiency down to 0°F and at decreased efficiency down into the negatives. As a result, these can work in many cold climates for much of the year with needing any supplemental heat.
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).
Your ductless mini-split system installation usually takes about 4-6 hours, but really depends on how many indoor units you have. A system with just one room will of course take far less time than a system with several rooms involved. Here's a quick guide to determine if you'll need a mini-split unit in every room.