One of the top reasons homeowners often choose to go ductless is because they’re able to take care of their air conditioning and heating needs all in one system. Also known as a ductless mini-split, the ductless systems has been gaining popularity, as they’re great for keeping homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
We get it though—choosing the best HVAC system for your home and specific needs can be overwhelming. After all, there are a number of great options out there to choose form. Our advice is to speak to a trained professional before making a final decision. Not all homes are a perfect match for going ductless, and it’s important to be aware of how your home’s setup plays a role in cooling and heating efficiency. For many homes though, ductless is definitely the way to go.
The Ductless Setup
As the name implies, ductless systems are heating and cooling units that don’t rely on ductwork to operate. Rather, they utilize one outdoor condenser unit, which is connected via a conduit—containing the refrigerant line, condensate drain line, and power cord—to individual wall-mounted air handlers installed throughout the home.
Ductless systems work similarly to traditional air conditioners, transferring heat from one area to another. A reversing valve is the component responsible for initiating this process—allowing for summer cooling and wintertime heating. To cool your home, heat is absorbed from indoors and to heat your home, heat is absorbed from outdoors and moved inside. This makes ductless systems:
- Versatile: Ductless HVAC system can both heat and cool the homes they’re installed in, which allows for year-round comfort. Just with the flip of a switch, the unit can go from “cooling mode” to “heating mode,” and vice-versa.
- Convenient: If you have an older home and have never had ductwork installed, it can be a pretty laborious and potentially even expensive addition. Plus, if you don’t have the space for it that doesn’t leave you with very many options. Ductless systems, as we mentioned above, don’t require ductwork. A small hole will need to be drilled in the wall behind each air handler, but no additional work will need to be done inside your home.
- Cost-Effective: With a ductless system, you’ll never need to worry about servicing two different HVAC systems—when you go ductless you don’t have to repair, maintain, or replace both a heater and air conditioner.
- Energy-Efficient: Ductless HVAC systems operate using less electrical power than other systems due to their small size, first of all. Plus, because they transfer heat instead of generating it, they operate much more efficiently than other systems in the wintertime. Lastly, you don’t need to worry about air loss from breached ductwork, since there is no ductwork to worry about!
Established in 1912, Max Sr & Paul Schoenwalder Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, A Corp. is your trusted resource for reliable air conditioning in Madison, NJ. Reach out to us today.