August 8, 2020

Ductless Air Conditioning

A ductless air conditioning system is both efficient and dependable. If you live in an older home with no ductwork, installing a central HVAC unit is expensive and requires a lot of time. A ductless air conditioning system—also called a ductless mini-split or ductless HVAC—is designed for homes without ducts. This type of system controls the temperature in the rooms of your home. The two components are an air handling unit and an outdoor heat pump.

How Does the System Work?

A ductless AC system works just like a heat pump but without the need for air ducts. When the temperature is warmer, warm air is taken from your home by the air handler. The air is then sent over evaporator coils containing refrigerant to absorb the heat. The warm air is sent to the outside unit to lower the temperature in your home. During the colder months, everything happens in reverse.

Heat is absorbed by your outside unit then passed through a line containing refrigerant, resulting in warm air blowing into your home through your air handler. A ductless AC system is effective because of heat transfer. Hot air is removed from your home during the summer and then brought into your home during the winter.

How Is the System Installed?

The first step is drilling a small hole into your wall to connect the air handler to the outdoor unit. The hole is usually two to three inches, but it will be covered once your outdoor unit is installed. The outdoor unit is mounted directly to your home with the air handler mounted inside and close to your ceiling. Your indoor and outdoor units are connected with a condensate drain, a power cable and a refrigerant line.

What Are the Advantages of a Ductless Air Conditioning System?

You receive numerous benefits including not needing ductwork for cooling or heating your home. The installation is easy, and the system is a lot more affordable than having a central HVAC and new ductwork installed. Ductless systems are designed for older homes without existing ductwork. Your unit is more efficient than a traditional HVAC because no energy is lost through the ductwork.

The result is more efficient, with decreased energy bills. This type of system does not make as much noise as a central unit. Your home remains both quiet and comfortable.

How Much Is Installation?

Your specific installation cost is dependent on a few different factors. The price of your outdoor unit is based on the efficiency of the unit and the model you choose. Although preferable, a more efficient unit will cost more. The number of air handlers required affects the cost of your indoor unit. The more handlers you need, the higher the cost.

The final factor is the difficulty of installation for your unit. Your best option is having a professional technician come to your home to take a look and provide you with an estimate.

How Long Will My System Last?

The length of time your ductless AC system will last is also dependent on several factors. If you schedule regular maintenance and your system is not used constantly, you may not need to worry about a replacement for 20 years.

What Is the Difference Between Traditional and Ductless Systems?

The key difference between the two systems is called zoned heating. This means that instead of controlling the temperature for your entire home, you control each room individually. Every room requiring cooling or heating needs to have an air handler installed. This is referred to as zones.

If there is a room or two in your home where you do not spend a lot of time, there is no reason to have an air handler installed. You will no longer need to spend money cooling or heating rooms you rarely use like you would with a central HVAC system. Your comfort level increases because everyone living in your home can set the individual zones for their comfort levels.

A good example is keeping your bedroom colder at night or keeping the room your children play in warmer. This is possible because there is an air handler for everyone.

Who Do I Call for More Information?

Contact Scott-Lee Heating Company in St. Louis for not only ductless AC systems but heating and cooling installation and repair, new construction, air cleaners, filtration systems, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, energy recovery ventilators, metalwork, new home registration, and maintenance. We serve St. Louis and the surrounding areas.