When the sizzling heat of summer starts beating down on your Chandler, AZ home, you need effective and efficient air conditioning to help keep temperatures down. Most people view air conditioning as being purely for extra comfort on particularly warm days, but air conditioning can also be a lifesaver during heat waves and in homes where residents have health issues. While there are numerous types of air conditioners available on the market today, ductless mini-split systems have exploded in popularity in recent years for several reasons.
Easy to Install
Traditional central air conditioning systems require a network of ducts to throughout your home to move the air to all your rooms. The installation process is time-consuming, expensive, and invasive.
Ductless air conditioning systems are much easier, quicker, and more cost-effective to install by comparison. In a mini-split system, an air handler is installed in each room or zone. A small hole is drilled in the wall to connect each indoor unit to the compressor that is installed outside. Each compressor can connect to eight air handlers, which is plenty to cover the average family home. Even if your home is large and requires another compressor, this is also easily installed and integrated with the other system.
Zoning
Ductless mini-split air conditioning systems allow you to control the temperature in specified zones instead of having the air conditioner always cooling the entire house at once. Each room or zone has an air handler that can be controlled independently of the others. If you’re the only one at home working in your office, you can turn all the other units off and only cool the office. When other people come back home, they can turn the air conditioning on in their bedrooms, the living room, the kitchen, and anywhere else where they may be spending time.
Zoning also allows for individualized comfort. It’s difficult to have the entire house at a temperature that is comfortable for everyone when you have central air conditioning. With an air handler in each room of the house, everyone can set the temperature to their desired level no matter what part of the house they’re in.
Energy Savings
Thanks to the zoning capabilities of ductless air conditioners that help cut down on energy usage, you will save significant amounts of money on your energy bills. Your savings will depend on several factors such as the climate you live in and the size of your home. On average, ductless mini-splits save homeowners between 25% to 40% on their energy bills compared to central air conditioners.
Thanks in large part to their zoning capabilities, ductless mini-splits are significantly more energy efficient than traditional air conditioners. Ductless mini-splits also utilize inverter-driven compressors to help reach target temperatures quickly and maintain them with minimal temperature fluctuations.
Additionally, central air conditioners lose a surprising amount of cool air through the ducts. Leaks, cracked seams, lack of insulation, and more all force the air conditioner to work harder to cool down your home. In single-story homes, it’s particularly difficult to ensure the air stays cool in the ducts as it reaches the other end of the house.
With ductless air conditioning systems, there is virtually no energy loss to contend with. Having air handlers in every room ensures that each area is cooled equally well across the entire home.
Cleaner Air
All air conditioners have some form of air filter to prevent dirty air from recirculating throughout your home, but ductless air conditioners are the among the best options for the cleanest air. Every air handler has a filter to clean the air in each zone of the house instead of the single filter most central air conditioning systems provide.
Not using ductwork is also beneficial in maintaining clean air in your home. Ducts tend to trap a lot of dust, dander, hair, pollen, mold, bacteria, and dead bugs. Even if the central air conditioner has a good filter, the air has to travel back into the rooms through ducts that could be loaded with particulates. Without ductwork, the air has a direct path through the filter and back into your house to allow it to stay clean and fresh.
Switch to Heat in Winter
A common concern for people when considering ductless mini-splits is heating. Central air conditioning systems are usually installed in conjunction with central heating systems since they work off the same ductwork. It may seem necessary to get ductwork installed whether or not you get a ductless air conditioner since you need some method of heating your home.
However, there is no concern about heating needs when you install a ductless air conditioner because it doubles as a heater. When the temperatures outside start getting chilly, simply switch the system over to heating mode to warm your house just as efficiently and effectively as it cools it in summer.
Silent Operation
If you’ve ever been annoyed by the loud intrusive noise of a fan or a window air conditioner, you’ll surely appreciate the silence of ductless mini-split air conditioners. The smooth temperature regulation of mini-splits makes the system very quiet by default since the compressor doesn’t have to keep kicking on.
In addition, the system utilizes many sound-dampening methods to make it even quieter. For example, vibration isolators are installed on the outdoor unit to help reduce noise from vibrations in the mounting brackets. Soundproofing pads and foam are also installed around the indoor and outdoor units to further reduce noise.
Ductless air conditioning systems are even quieter than central air conditioners since you won’t hear the banging and clanging sounds that are common in air ducts.
Many Options for Placement and Design
Most people only visualize wall units when they think of air handlers, but they can be installed in a variety of ways. Ductless air conditioners can also be installed on the ceiling or floor, and they can be concealed so well that they look almost identical to simple vents.
Just like the air handlers, the outdoor unit also has numerous placement and design options. You can install them on the ground, on the wall, or even on the roof. Since condensers for ductless systems are usually very compact, they’re also easy to conceal with lattices or wooden enclosures that better match your landscaping and the exterior of your home. Just remember to ensure that there is proper airflow for effective functionality and that it’s still easily accessed for maintenance and repairs.
If you’re interested in installing a ductless air conditioning system in your home, our experienced technicians at Emergency Air Heating Cooling & Plumbing will provide you with reliable and skilled service. In addition to installing and repairing ductless mini-split systems, we also offer repairs, installation, and maintenance services for heating systems, central air conditioners, air purifiers, and more. For additional information on any of the services we provide to the areas in and around the Chandler area, contact us at Emergency Air Heating Cooling & Plumbing today.
