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In the Northeast, it’s common to find air conditioning systems that do not use ducts. You may have radiant panels and space heaters for the winter and window A/C units for the summer. On the surface, there’s nothing wrong with this setup, but what happens when you want to upgrade to newer, more efficient equipment?
Ductless mini split air conditioners can be a great solution. They’re similar to central heat and air in that they have the main unit outside and an air handling system inside, but they don’t require ducts. Instead, they have refrigerant lines that run from the outside compressor to a wall unit that provides the conditioned air directly to your interior space. There are several other benefits, as well:
Zoning – Most mini-split units can support up to four air handlers, all with their thermostats. This zoning system allows you to save on energy because you don’t need to provide conditioned air to zones where nobody is.
Avoid duct problems – With central air and heat pump systems, ducts can allow up to 30 percent of your conditioned air to escape before it ever reaches the intended room. This is a huge waste of money.
Interior design – Because of the leaks and inefficiencies associated with ducts, many HVAC professionals now place them inside your living space. Granted, less air is wasted this way but you may not want to have ducts running through your rooms.
Mini split systems can be much more aesthetically pleasing and give you more freedom to design the room how you want. It’s vital, however, that you find an experienced expert because the air handlers must be installed well in optimal locations throughout the home. Insulation of the exterior walls and ceiling is sometimes necessary to allow the system to work efficiently.
For more specific information about what a new mini-split system can do for you, contact Pipe Works Services. We help homeowners in Morris, Union, Somerset, and Essex counties maximize their savings and comfort. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Chatham, NJ, and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
