What’s the Difference between Ductless Air Conditioners and Mini-duct Air Conditioners?
As you prepare to purchase a new air conditioning system, there are important details that you need to know about. There are many choices available when it comes to A/C units, and it is vital that you select the one that is right for your home.
In this blog space, we will emphasize the benefits and differences between a ductless air conditioning system and a mini-duct/ducted air conditioner.
Ducted Air Conditioning System
A ducted air conditioning system is comprised of air ducts that are made of sheet metal and are located inside the walls and ceilings of your home. These ducts typically work with your heating and cooling systems.
The treated air is distributed from the central air conditioner unit or furnace through the ducts and is funneled to every room in your residence via vents.
Benefits of Ducted Air Conditioning
Controls Humidity
Ducted air conditioning systems are excellent at controlling humidity levels in your residence. In contrast, the air handlers in ductless air conditioning do not have the mechanisms required to extract a lot of moisture from the air and drain it away.
Superior Air Flow
You will find that ducted A/C systems provide outstanding air circulation. Because ductless air conditioning systems cool the air in each individual room, there is considerably less air movement throughout your living spaces in your home.
As a result of this way of treating air, ductless air conditioning systems, with their less air movement, can bring about stagnant air and air pressure problems.
Your Home Has Existing Ducts
If your residence already has ductwork installed and it is in excellent condition, it makes sense to opt for a ducted system. Installation just involves hooking up the new A/C unit to the existing ventilation.
You’ll appreciate the fact that installation with a ducted system is quicker and less costly.
More Aesthetic Appeal
You will likely want to choose a ducted air conditioning system for its superior aesthetic quality. A ductless A/C system leaves you with air handler boxes mounted on your walls or ceilings in each room, which doesn’t do much for enhancing the décor in these living spaces.
In contrast, with a ducted air conditioning system, everything is concealed behind walls and in crawl spaces.
Less Maintenance Expenses
One major benefit of a ducted A/C system is that it is much easier to service because there are far fewer components. These air conditioners only need periodic cleaning.
All there is with a ducted type of air conditioner is the outside unit and the single indoor air handler. However, a ductless A/C system comes with air handlers in each room that need servicing.
Ductless Air Conditioning System
As you can surmise from its name, a ductless air conditioning system, commonly referred to as a ductless mini-split, does not have ducts in the walls to distribute air. The ductless A/C system funnels refrigerant directly to multiple small air handlers, also known as blowers, that are installed throughout your house.
The air handlers extract heat from each room. They look like small boxes and are installed on the walls or the ceilings.
Benefits of Ductless Air Conditioning
Decreased Dust
Because forced air is not being distributed throughout space via ducts where dust can accumulate, there is much less dust introduced into your rooms with a ductless A/C system.
Ideal for Multiple Cooling Zones
Because ductless air conditioning systems have separate air handlers in every room of your home, they can be each controlled for various cooling needs. This gives you the flexibility of changing the air temperature in each room based on individual needs. You might choose to lower the temperature in the living room with company over and increase the temperature in the bedroom where your young child is sleeping.
It is worth noting, however, that a VRF system gives you the power to accomplish zoning and independent temperature control throughout your residence.
No Room for Ducts in Walls or Ceilings
If you enjoy having beautiful high ceilings, you probably don’t want to relinquish any of that space for air conditioning ducts. Ductless air conditioning is the right choice for your home if there is simply no room for ducts.
Adding a Room in an Existing Space
Maybe you also plan to add cooling to a space such as a work room or garage. In this circumstance, it could likely be expensive or difficult to add ducts to the new living space and be hooked up to your existing system.
What’s more, your system may not have the necessary capacity to treat the air in the additional space, yet you do not want to replace your A/C unit.
So, you have the option of supplementing with a small ductless A/C system just for the new space. Occasionally, a ductless air conditioning unit is used in new construction to provide zoned cooling for an infrequently used area.
Look to Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning for Expert Installs & Maintenance of Your Air Conditioning Unit
Look to the HVAC experts at Apollo for A/C unit installations and first-rate maintenance to ensure your energy system is in excellent condition and operating at optimal efficiency so you can stay cool and comfortable this summer. Our experienced team of highly trained technicians will work with you and exceed your expectations during HVAC installs and repairs of your A/C unit.
Apollo field technicians will work closely with you in deciding what HVAC system is the best, and tailor it to fit your unique needs and preferences! We are committed to delivering premium quality HVAC service, maintenance, products, and documentation in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, and beyond!
Learn more by contacting Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning! Call us at (509) 396-COLD (2653).
