How to Assess If a Ductless Mini Split is Right for You

Ductless mini split service provides an amazing alternative to heating or cooling while actually being more energy efficient and effective for your home setup. When it comes to heating or cooling a home, most people rely on ducts to transport temperature-controlled air to different areas of the home.

A ductless mini split is a heating and cooling system that works similarly to traditional central air, but without the ducts. Much like the standard method, ductless mini splits function through an indoor air-handling unit and an outdoor compressor or condenser. In central air, air temperature is regulated in the indoor unit and transported to each room through ducts. In a ductless mini split, the indoor unit is located in the room it is heating or cooling. It is connected to the outdoor unit through a conduit which runs through the walls, comprised of refrigerant tubing, power cables, condensate drain, and suction tubing.

Why You Should Consider a Ductless Mini Split:

Ductless mini splits are not the standard form of heating a home or building, but in certain scenarios can be a suitable heating alternative or supplement, packed with many features and benefits.

Ductless mini splits are relatively easy to install and are energy efficient. With this heating and cooling method, you will see cost savings over time. Those with ductless heating and cooling even often receive homeowner’s rebates because the system is environmentally friendly. To cater to your home’s specific needs, multiple indoor units can connect to the outdoor unit, so you can install more than one filter in a room, or use them in several locations throughout your home. Ductless mini splits offer flexibility — they can be mounted in several locations, including floors, walls, and ceilings of your preference. These systems are sleek in design and often offer remote controls so you can customize the temperature in each room. Some can even be programmed on a timed schedule or to only turn on when there are people in the room.

Without a proper consideration of your heating and cooling needs, you could rule out mini ductless splits, a practical and cost-effective heating and cooling method that could be most beneficial to your living situation.

Why a Ductless Mini Split May Be Right for You:

• Your space is not suitable for duct work: Some areas are too tight for traditional duct work, which may warrant a ductless mini split. When installing, professionals only need a small hole (approximately 3 inches) to run the conduit through, making it ideal for installation in these tight areas.
• You have a small space that needs to be heated or cooled: Since a ductless mini split only distributes air to the room it is in, it is most efficient in a small space. However, you can still install more than one in a larger space to achieve more heating and cooling power.
• You’ve added a room onto your home: If you’re adding on to a structure that doesn’t have a traditional ducted heating or cooling system, a ductless mini split could be the best option. Because they’re easy to install and energy efficient, ductless mini-splits could be a practical solution to your heating and cooling needs.
• You are currently using a radiant heating system, space heaters or hydronic heat: Certain methods of heating are not effective in distributing heat throughout all spaces in the home. If you utilize radiant heating, hydronic heat, or space heaters, a ductless mini-split may be a good option to heat certain areas of the home that aren’t heated enough through your current heating source.
• You want to save money on heating and cooling: The initial cost to install a ductless mini split is more than traditional heating, but you’ll reap the cost-saving benefits in the long run. In ducted heating and cooling, energy loss can be up to 30 percent as air is lost through leaking ducts.
• You want to closely manage room temperature: Unlike other heating and cooling methods, ductless mini splits allow you specifically adjust the temperature in each room. Some come with convenient remote controls, timer settings, and settings so the system only turns on when the room is occupied.

You must make some considerations, however, before choosing to install a ductless mini split. Although the long term cost of heating and cooling with a ductless mini split is less than other systems, the installation costs more than other methods of heating and cooling, so if you cannot afford the initial cost, a mini duct split may not be for you. Mini ducts splits also require regular cleaning to maintain efficiency and air quality. Like all other systems of heating and cooling, ductless mini splits can be susceptible to certain issues. If it is not properly installed in the first place, it could not be effective in heating and cooling rooms to your desire.

Contact Jones Services today to learn more about if you are in need of a ductless mini split.