Terri Ramsey Beavers You might be considering an AC system for your home and wondering whether it’s a good idea to go with ductless appliances or with the more common central air conditioning system. You might have heard from a family member that the ductless varieties may be the best option for the kind of house you have, while your friend might tell you otherwise.
The answer will depend on your needs and personal preferences. Don’t worry, as we’ve listed a few points to consider, and you can read through them to figure things out quickly.
What are Ductless Systems?
If you might not be aware of them, these systems are the mini-split AC that many people have in their homes. A condenser is present outside the house while the air handler/evaporator is installed inside. An HVAC contractor will be able to install them for you in no time, and they are very convenient if your fan does not do the work of cooling down the home during the summer months. The coolant is passed between the evaporator and the condenser, and the heat is released outdoors.
On the other hand, there’s the central air conditioning that will send the air into the pipes installed in your home. The cold air is carried in every part of the house by using a cable between a box on the wall and the condenser. There’s no need to install the ducts, and the floors don’t need to have vents.
Deciding Which Ones are Right For You?
- Does the Home have an Existing Ductwork?
If you’ve just purchased the home, you might want to know if it has existing ductwork that will make things easier for you. A central air conditioning system will be the more ideal and cost-effective option with ductwork. Read more information about a ductwork on this page.
However, you might want to choose the split types, especially if you’re unwilling to install the ducts from scratch. This way, you won’t have to deal with the mess of construction, and all you have to do is drill a 3-inch hole where the cable to the condenser will run through. These are excellent additions for older homes that are not connected with the rest of your property.
- Will the AC unit Bother You?
In central air conditioning systems, the AC unit is essentially invisible. However, it’s a different story with ductless systems because they require a slim unit installed on the wall or a vent on your ceiling. While some brands make sure that the boxes are stylish and easy on the eyes, other homeowners may be bothered by the presence of a large box inside their rooms, which they don’t want to see.
When you’re someone who is very particular with your décor, you might want to choose the central system to make things cleaner and neater. On the other hand, if you’re good at disguising them, you might explore other inventive ways on how you can hide them from sight. Read more about disguising them here: https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/g4475/hide-air-conditioner-unit/.
- Your Home’s Size
Most of these ductless systems don’t have much power to cool an entire house. They are installed in specific rooms so the users can maximize their capacity. On the other hand, central air conditioning that relies on ductwork and pipes may be able to give the right temperature for many rooms, especially if you have a property that’s more than 2,500 square feet.
The greater the power, the more efficient the unit will be. However, if you have a property that’s less than 2,000 square meters, consider getting the ductless or the split-type ACs.
- Sensitivity to the Noise
Generally, the rule of thumb is that ductless systems are quieter. This is something that a technician will be able to discuss with you, and certain brands are more muffled than others.
When shopping for an air conditioner, it’s best to ask the shop for a lower noise level in terms of decibels. The central systems may be quieter, and the ductless ones are louder. However, if you don’t mind the noise or this is something that you’ve gotten used to, you can always choose the split types.