- March 24, 2021
Ductless HVAC systems, as the name suggests, are heating and cooling systems that do not require the use of ductwork. Such solutions have been in use around the world for a long time. However, they are being adopted in the United States only now.
Before we look into the vast range of benefits offered by ductless systems, it is important to first understand how ductless systems work.
How Does a Ductless Heating and Cooling System Work?
A ductless system has two key components – an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The outdoor unit is the compressor that can be placed in the yard or any outdoor area. The indoor unit is mounted to the wall or the ceiling. The two are connected with the help of refrigerant tubes which transport the heated or cooled air between the two components.
Unlike ducted systems which require a significant amount of space to be allocated to the ductwork, a ductless system only requires three-inch holes to allow the refrigerant lines to pass through the walls. Tubing of the same size connects the indoor and outdoor components, so there is no need to spare space for larger ducts.
Benefits of a Ductless System
Ductless heating and cooling systems offer a wide range of benefits. These include:
Little Space Required: Compared to ducted systems, ductless systems require little space for the tubing. This makes them great in situations where you don’t have the extra space required for the installation of larger ducts.
Ease of Installation: One of the best things about ductless HVAC systems is that they are incredibly easy to install. Installing the indoor units is straightforward and a few holes suffice to let you connect the indoor units with the outdoor compressor. It takes little time and involves very little hassle compared to the extensive work required in the installation of ducted systems.
Better Transmission of Heating and Cooling: Your HVAC system can consume an additional 30% of energy on account of duct losses. This is not a problem with ductless systems which have no ducts, so there is no loss of heating and cooling.
Improved Efficiency: Given the exceptionally little energy losses in a ductless system, the efficiency of such systems is incredibly high. The best in the market offer ratings of up to 30 SEER. This means that compared to conventional HVAC solutions, ductless systems can offer up to 50% savings on your heating and cooling costs.
Temperature Zoning: This is another stand-out advantage offered by ductless HVAC solutions. You can easily achieve temperature zoning with ductless systems. Each room can have its own indoor and outdoor unit thanks to low installation costs. This allows you to separately control the temperature for each room without having to rely on a central thermostat setting. Zoning is particularly useful in homes with large families, or commercial units with multiple tenants.
Flexible: Ductless systems are also flexible enough to cater to scenarios where standard HVAC systems don’t seem viable. For instance, if you want to add heating and cooling to a new room at your home, upgrading the existing HVAC for the purpose can be quite an investment. In contrast, you can simply plug in a ductless system solely for the room at an affordable price tag. It takes less time, less hassle, and less money to get the job done with a ductless system.
Downsides of Ductless Systems
Despite their numerous benefits, ductless systems also come with their own disadvantages. These include:
Upfront Cost: This applies when you have to install several ductless systems for separate areas of your home. The upfront costs can climb up quickly. Although the cost is reset by the long-term savings, many homeowners may be unwilling to make the investment.
Lack of Central Features: With a central feature, it is relatively easier to bundle new features like air-purifying or dehumidifiers. This is not possible with ductless systems where you will need to add the feature to each separate ductless unit.
Hiring a Reliable Greenville HVAC Contractor
If you want to discuss the feasibility of a ductless system for your home, we are here to help you. Our Greenville experts will take into consideration your home’s heating and cooling needs, budget, and other preferences to advise you on making the right decision. We also offer a comprehensive range of HVAC services that cover the installation, repair, maintenance, and service of all kinds of HVAC systems. Call us today to consult our experts, hire our services, or get a free estimate.
