Central air or ductless mini-split: what you need to know
Choosing the type of Air Conditioning System to install in a property may lead to some headache. You will be stuck with quite a number of preferential questions as to which will best suit your home. Questions like; should I go for the ductless/mini-split systems or should I just settle for Central Air?
How then do you decide on which of the two systems will best suit your home?
key factors you should put into consideration
The perfect one for your home: If yours is a large house with several compartments, the traditional central air system might just be the best for you. With just one system, you will enhance the indoor air quality of your home. The reality is that most ductless systems do not have enough requisite power to cool large homes. This is because homes with several compartments will require multiple indoor units. It has been recommended that homes with above 2,500 square feet should consider the central air system.
Also, if the home is one with no room for ductwork, you might not want to consider the central air system.
What does your budget say? Cost is another factor you might want to consider before hitting the choice button. Ductless systems are usually more expensive. For instance, a mini-split system with 9,000 BTU/H will cost more than a central air system of the same capacity. However, since they do not require any serious maintenance tasks, they will prove to be more cost-effective in the long run.
Installation: According to Griffith Energy Service Inc., the traditional A.C system can take a two-person crew a week or more to install. In houses where there are no ductworks, the contractors might take longer to install. A contractor can, however, install a mini-split system in a day. All that is needed to be done is the drilling of a hole in the wall to insert the conduit cables. This way, installation is easier and faster and you won’t have to incur high installation charges.
Does it offer supplemental heating too? One reason why the ductless system became widespread and irresistible is due to its ability to act as an air conditioner and a furnace at the same time.
Also, Mini-Split systems with more than one indoor unit can use zoning whereby each indoor unit has its own separate temperature sensor to regulate the room temperature. This is very ideal for homes with several compartments and temperature variations. This also helps to save energy.
Should I worry about the noise? Noise is another factor that you may like to consider with regard to your HVAC choice. Generally, mini-Split systems do not generate obtrusive noise when compared to the traditional system.
What’s the air quality like? Another thing to consider is the quality of air that each of these systems dispenses. Many pollutants like pest droppings, dust, bacteria, can accumulate inside the ductwork of the traditional system. These will pollute the quality of air dispensed through the evaporator putting the inhabitants at the risk of flu, skin reactions or irritations, and even asthma.
Let’s talk about maintenance: Regardless of the type of A.C system you choose; you will have to carry out some routine maintenance tasks. If you are using a Mini-Split system, your task is lesser as you won’t have to spend time checking your ductwork every now and then.
Summary
despite the fact that ductless air conditioners are more flexible, cheaper to maintain, produce less noise and have good air quality, some people still go for Central Air conditioners for reasons like its relatively-cheaper upfront cost and the preference for a single central unit compared to the multiple mini split system.
