Ductless mini-splits have been around for more than 60 years. While popular throughout the world, they have only recently taken off in the United States.
Ductless mini-splits offer many advantages. These include increased energy efficiency, lower utility bills, and more accurate and easier cooling and heating maintenance throughout your home.
This article covers the basics of ductless mini-splits as well as a detailed breakdown of the benefits they can afford. Keep reading to find out if they might be the right choice for your Cape Coral home.
What Are Ductless Mini-Splits?
Ductless mini-splits are HVAC systems that use many of the same processes as traditional systems to heat or cool air. However, these happen in different locations.
As the name suggests, ductless mini-splits do not require a system of ducts to transport air. The main conversion process happens right at the wall unit, in the space you wish to heat or cool.
The indoor unit, which is usually wall-mounted, houses an evaporator coil and blower fan. It takes in warm air, removes the heat using refrigerant, and then pushes the cool air back out into the room.
It does have an outdoor unit that connects to the indoor one through small copper piping and electrical wiring. The outdoor unit houses the compressor and condenser that releases the warmed air and re-cools the refrigerant. These are much smaller and quieter than most whole-home units.
Like other HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits range in size and capacity. Most standard ones will heat or cool a space between 400 and 600 square feet. However, there are specialty mini-splits that can tackle much larger spaces.
Advantages of Ductless Mini-Splits
There are many distinct advantages of ductless mini-split systems. Here are the main ones to consider.
More Precise Cooling and Heating Maintenance
One of the biggest advantages of ductless mini-splits is the precision with which you can control climate throughout your home. This means you can heat particularly drafty rooms without cranking up the heat throughout your entire home.
It also means you are not heating or cooling areas of your home that you do not use as often. You can lower or raise the temp in these spaces, or completely shut down these units, if you prefer.
More precise cooling and heating maintenance can provide a higher level of comfort for family members who prefer different temperatures. It can be ideal for homes with infants or elderly family members who are more sensitive to different temperatures.
Energy Efficiency and Utility Savings
It is easy to see how flexible zoning throughout your home, including the ability to turn off units in rooms you do not always use, can lead to serious energy savings over time. Mini-splits are very efficient in general.
Also, a lot of energy can be lost traveling through a system of ducts. That is due to the long distances that air often has to go from the condenser/evaporator unit on one end of the house to rooms on the other. Even without any major cracks or damage, energy loss could be as high as 30 percent.
Ductless mini-splits carry out the air temperature adjustments in the rooms where they exist. This alone contributes to greater energy efficiency and huge cost savings over time.
Less Maintenance
Ductless mini-splits are very reliable and durable. You can expect quality systems to last 25 to 30 years or longer.
You might assume, with many different units throughout your home, that maintenance may be more intensive. This is not the case. Ductless mini-splits are very easy to care for.
Many come with reusable air filters. These require the occasional removal and rinsing under a faucet to remove dust and other particles. It is quite easy and saves money on disposable filters.
Less Inconvenience When Repairs Are Needed
If you have a centralized HVAC system, when breakdowns happen, your entire home is without heating or cooling capacity. Depending on the scope of the project, that could mean days or even weeks. In the South Florida heat, that is not only a matter of convenience and comfort, but one of safety as well.
Although controls can be centralized using wi-fi and smartphone capabilities, each ductless mini-split operates independently. If there is an issue with one system, it does not affect the others. That means you can keep the rest of your home comfortable, even if you are having cooling or heating repairs done.
Flexible Use
Ductless mini-splits can replace your whole-home HVAC system, with units in various rooms or parts of the house. You can also integrate them with existing systems.
This is a popular option for spaces that have been added on, including sheds, garages, workspaces, or attics converted into living areas. Most importantly, it keeps you from having to expand your system of ductwork to that area.
What About the Cost?
One drawback to ductless mini-splits is cost. However, this is relative.
Individual systems can cost between $2,000 and $4,000, depending on their size. Keep in mind though that you are not comparing apples to apples when looking at ducltess mini-splits versus whole-home systems.
One consideration is the cost savings you will see down the road. As mentioned, this includes everything from lower utility bills to less maintenance. This especially extends to the elimination of ducts throughout your home that need to be repaired or replaced over time.
Finally, installing ductless mini-splits is minimally invasive. It is a far less arduous process than a whole-home HVAC system replacement. Professional HVAC companies can complete the job in a day or two, including the removal of old ductwork and existing system components.
Learn More From an Experienced Fort Myers HVAC Company
Now that you understand how mini-splits work and the many advantages they can provide, you can determine if they are the right choice for your home. They can offer superior control and convenience, last for decades, and help lower your monthly utility bills.
For over 50 years, Ellsworths Heating and Cooling has been providing the highest quality cooling and heating maintenance in Fort Myers and Cape Coral. We are a licensed dealer of Daikin, Lennox, and Trane, but will work on any make and model. Reach out to us to discuss improved Fort Myers heating maintenance or cooling solutions today.