Can You Add Ductless AC Without Ductwork?
Ductless mini-splits have been growing in popularity throughout Melbourne, FL. They are an excellent alternative for cooling your home if you don’t already have ductwork in place. Adding ductwork for central AC can be expensive and disruptive. Installing ductless AC requires only minimal alterations and can actually offer many advantages over traditional central AC with ductwork.
What Is a Mini-Split System?
A ductless mini-split system is one in which one or more indoor units are mounted on the walls of your home. They are connected to a single outdoor unit via a small sleeve just a few inches in diameter that contains the drain line, refrigerant line and power cable. A single outdoor unit can power as many as eight indoor units, and one outdoor unit is usually enough for a home.
Air blows directly from each of the individual indoor units into your home. In winter, each ductless mini-split unit can also heat your home. Each unit has its own temperature setting.
Why Mini-Splits Work Well in Melbourne, FL
Ductless mini-splits are a great choice for our Melbourne climate of hot summers and mild winters. They’ll help you save on your power bills and keep your entire household comfortable.
Energy Efficient
Energy efficiency is important during our long, hot summers, and mini-split AC units are substantially more efficient than traditional central AC. In fact, up to 30% of your cool air can be lost as it travels through ducts. This is not a problem with ductless AC mini-splits.
Zoned Cooling
One of the biggest advantages of ductless AC is the opportunities that it offers for zoned comfort. With a traditional central AC, you control cooling with one thermostat. This can mean that some people in the household are uncomfortable if they would prefer warmer or cooler temperatures.
In addition, it’s common for one room or area in the house to simply be a lot warmer or cooler than the rest of the house, regardless of what the thermostat says. Since you have multiple mini-split units indoors, they can be set at different temperatures depending on individual preferences.
Zoned cooling is also useful if you want to cool just one or two rooms at any given time.
Humidity Control
Mini-split AC units allow for zoned humidity control along with zoned cooling. This can be particularly helpful if some parts of your house are humid. Many units also have a “dry mode” which you can use to increase the amount of moisture removed from the air.
Ideal for Add-Ons
Ductless AC mini-splits are a great option for older or add-on spaces even if you have ducted AC throughout the rest of your home. Instead of having to extend the ductwork, you can simply install a ductless mini-split unit. If you already have ductless AC throughout your home, this scalability is particularly convenient.
Benefits of Mini-Split Systems
There are a number of other advantages to ductless AC.
Quiet Operation
Central AC can be somewhat loud, especially as it turns on and off. Ductless AC tends to operate more quietly than central AC.
Heating and Cooling in One
You don’t have to install a separate unit for heating. Ductless mini-split units can both heat and cool your home.
Better Air Quality
Mini-split AC units also may offer superior air quality. Ductwork can harbor and distribute pet hair, dust, mold, mildew and other contaminants. With ductless mini-split units, this is not a concern.
Flexible Design
A ductless mini-split unit can be placed in a number of different locations in a room. They can be installed on the wall, the ceiling or on the floor.
Things to Consider Before Choosing a Mini-Split
A ductless AC mini-split isn’t the right choice for every household. There are a few things to think about before you make your final decision about installing ductless AC mini-splits throughout your home.
Upfront Cost
The upfront cost can be higher than installing a traditional central HVAC system. However, ductless mini-splits will cost you less to run. In addition, if you factor in the cost of having ductwork installed, there might not be a significant difference in upfront costs.
Appearance
Some people dislike the appearance of ductless mini-splits. Although they can be placed in areas where their visual impact is minimized, you still need to consider whether the aesthetics will fit into your home.
Maintenance
You’ll need to clean the filters regularly. In addition, it’s a good idea to clean the outside of your indoor units periodically to keep them free of dust and dirt. You should also schedule professional maintenance checks twice a year for systems that provide both cooling and heating.
When Mini-Splits Are the Best Choice
Ductless mini-splits are a great choice if you don’t already have ductwork throughout your home. They are also a good choice for homeowners who are not on an extremely tight budget. However, we may still be able to find a mini-split solution that will work within your price range.
If being able to have different temperatures throughout your home is important to you, mini-splits are definitely the way to go. They are also a great choice if you’re adding a room or converting an attic or garage.
Why Trust Melbourne One Hour AC & Heating?
We have decades of experience across dozens of locations in the Southeast, but we also understand the specific needs of Melbourne homeowners. Our service is prompt, friendly and knowledgeable. We’re on time or you don’t pay a dime!
Consider a Mini-Split AC for your Melbourne Home
We can help you decide whether a ductless mini-split is the right choice for you. If so, we’ll work with you to determine how many indoor units you need. We’ll install them, make sure they’re running correctly and show you how to operate and maintain them. Get in touch with us today to talk about adding ductless AC to your home.