ductless Archives - Air Works Heating & Air

All About the Ductless Mini Split

When it comes to heating and cooling, most homeowners are familiar with traditional central heating and cooling systems. After all, these central HVAC units have been around for decades and are the standard for heating and cooling in most homes. However, the past few years have seen the rise of an alternative to the centralized system, the mini-split system.

As its name implies, a mini-split is a smaller machine than a central HVAC and is “split” into two component units – an indoor air handler and an outdoor compressor connected minimally by electrical wiring and tubing for the refrigerant. This design is what allows the mini split to enjoy the following advantages over traditional central heating and cooling systems:

Reduce Cost of Energy Consumption

Light bulb emitting light held above stacks of coins on a desk, symbolizing energy efficiency and cost savings associated with HVAC systems.

Doing away with the ductwork removes much of the heat loss inherent in centralized HVACs. Lengthy ductwork inside the home is where most leaks come from, allowing heat to escape and significantly lowering an HVAC’s energy efficiency. Because a mini split does not have that kind of area of vulnerability, it is more energy efficient. Consequently, it consumes less energy, and we all know that greater energy efficiency translates to greater savings in monthly energy bills.

Another way that mini splits can save homeowners money in energy bills is because of the mini split heat pump. While some systems are only categorized as mini split air conditioners, most are equipped with both heating and cooling systems powered by a heat pump. Heat pumps are considered energy-saving because they don’t generate heat; they only move it from one place to another.

Hassle-free Mini Split Installation

The absence of ductwork also means that a mini split AC can be installed in less time than it takes to install a traditional ducted HVAC system. For simpler mini-split installations involving only one pair of indoor and outdoor units, the process can be done in a few hours, with more complex, multi-room system setups requiring up to two days.

In comparison, a full, ducted HVAC installation can take up to five days, with two days set aside just for the ductwork for an average-sized house – more for larger homes.

Seeing how these two stack up against each other in terms of installation time gives homeowners a good option for situations such as retrofitting old homes that don’t have ductwork or those without adequate space for ducts. Mini-splits are also great for additional spaces that are used sparingly, such as sunrooms or three-season rooms.

Flexible And Customizable Temperature Settings

Hand holding remote control aimed at a ductless mini-split air conditioning unit mounted on the wall, illustrating customizable temperature settings for indoor comfort.

Another appealing feature of the ductless mini-split system is how it can accommodate more than one temperature setting for different parts of the home. Centralized systems usually set one temperature for the whole house, which might not always meet the needs of each room.

With mini splits, each room can have a different indoor handler with a separate temperature setting from other rooms with other indoor handlers. This creates more comfortable zones that respond to the needs of individual people in different rooms.

About AirWorks Heating & Air

AirWorks Heating & Air are the trusted heating and AC experts in Wake Forest, NC, and throughout Wake County. This family-owned and operated company has been in business since 2007, offering a full menu of heating and cooling repair, maintenance, and installation, including duct and vent cleaning. Their technicians are NATE certified and ensure a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for HVAC services in Wake Forest, NC.

Central or Ductless System: Choosing the Right Fit

When Raleigh homeowners need to install a new air conditioning system, they have numerous options, including central AC or ductless systems. There are advantages to each of these systems, and both can provide much-needed relief in the hot summer months.

To find out which system is best for their house, homeowners need to work with an AC contractor to weigh each benefit.

Central AC

A central AC system is a cooling system that removes heat and humidity from the air of a home or building. It comprises several parts, including a compressor, condenser, evaporator coil, air handler, ductwork, and a thermostat to properly cool a home.

Central AC units offer several advantages over other types of cooling systems, including:

Whole-Home/Whole-Building Cooling:Central AC systems are designed to cool an entire home or building, providing consistent and even cooling throughout all rooms and areas. This is particularly beneficial in larger spaces or buildings with multiple floors.
Improved Air Quality:These systems typically include filters that help remove dust, allergens, and pollutants from the air. This results in improved indoor air quality, making the environment more comfortable and healthier for occupants.
Energy Efficiency: These can be highly energy-efficient when properly sized and maintained. They often have higher energy efficiency ratings than individual units like window ACs or portable ACs.
Quieter Operation:These units tend to operate more quietly than individual units. The noisier components, such as the compressor and condenser, are located outside the building, reducing indoor noise levels.

Ductless Mini Split Systems

A ductless mini split AC system, also known as a ductless air conditioning system or a ductless heat pump, is a cooling system that does not require ductwork to distribute conditioned air. It offers a cooling solution for homes or buildings that do not have ductwork.

Ductless systems provide the following advantages:

Flexibility:Ductless systems can be installed in a variety of homes and buildings, including older homes without existing ductwork, room additions, or spaces with limited access for duct installation.
Zoning Capability:Each indoor unit can be independently controlled, allowing for personalized temperature settings in different zones or rooms. This provides energy savings by not having to cool rooms your family is not in.
Energy Efficiency:Ductless systems are highly energy-efficient because they don’t experience the energy losses associated with ductwork and only cool certain zones.
Easy Installation: Installing these systems is generally easier and less disruptive than air conditioning installations.

Other AC Systems

In addition to central AC systems and ductless mini split air conditioner systems, homeowners can consider other types of AC systems to make their houses more comfortable. Some of these include:

Window AC Unit: Window units are self-contained systems designed to be mounted in a window or a specially prepared opening in a wall. These units are relatively affordable and suitable for cooling individual rooms or small spaces, but they cannot cool the whole house or large spaces.
Portable Air Conditioners:Portable AC units are mobile, self-contained systems that can be moved from one room to another. These units are easy to install and flexible for cooling specific areas or rooms. However, these are not efficient at cooling an entire house.
Split Air Conditioners:These ducted air conditioning systems are similar to ductless mini splits but use ductwork to distribute the conditioned air throughout the building.

About Air Works Heating & Air

Since 2007, Air Works Heating & Air has provided Raleigh with quality air conditioning and furnace services. They offer 100% satisfaction guaranteed for all services and provide straightforward pricing to all clients. Call them today for HVAC services in Franklinton, NC.