While most people are familiar with traditional central air conditioning systems and furnaces, many are still discovering mini split systems. This is a newer type of HVAC system that can provide heating and cooling for your home. Let’s go over what a mini split system is below as well as the many pros and cons that it can offer you.
What Is a Ductless Mini Split System?
A ductless mini split system is comprised of three main components. First are the indoor air handlers, also known as the mini splits. Second is the refrigerant, which absorbs heat. Lastly, is the outdoor condenser unit, which houses the compressor and moves the refrigerant throughout the entire system.
Mini split units rely heavily on a substance known as refrigerant. This substance will absorb heat from one location and disperse it into another. For example, in the summertime, the refrigerant will absorb heat from inside your home and then disperse it to the outdoors. By changing the direction that the refrigerant flows, you can effectively transport heat either outdoors or indoors, depending on the season.
Energy Efficient Operation
One of the biggest advantages of a ductless mini split system is its energy efficiency. While it does perform similarly to a central air conditioning system in the summer months, its efficiency shines in the wintertime. Since this type of system is specifically designed to transport heat instead of creating it through the process of combustion, it’s much more efficient than other heating systems on the market today.
No Ductwork Required
When you opt for a ductless mini split system, you get the added advantage of not having ductwork installed in your home. This can be extremely helpful when you’re installing a cooling system for the first time in an existing home that doesn’t have any ducting. It’s also great for home additions when you can’t add to your existing ductwork.
No Treated Air Loss
One of the biggest disadvantages of having a ducted HVAC system is that treated air can escape through gaps and leaks in your ducting. When you opt for a ductless mini split, you never have to worry about losing any of your treated air. This helps to further enhance the efficiency of the systems.
Zone Temperature Control
The real beauty of mini splits is that each unit has its own temperature settings. You can essentially set the temperature in your room to be slightly colder than the temperature in your living room. This goes a long way in enhancing your home’s overall comfort and allows you to deal with unwanted hot and cold spots throughout your home.
Silent Operation
If you currently have a ducted air conditioning system, then you’re familiar with the whooshing sound it makes every time it runs. When you opt for the ductless mini split models, you’re getting a virtually quiet operation. This means you don’t have to turn the TV up to drown out the noise whenever your system turns on. Rather, most of the noise created by the system is at the outdoor condenser unit.
Heating and Cooling Capability
One advantage of a mini split system that simply can’t be overlooked is its ability to provide a comfortable environment for your family throughout the entire year. It can cool your home in the summer and warm it up in the winter. Instead of having to worry about two different systems, you can enjoy one main system that can meet all your comfort needs.
Quick and Easy Installation
Another great benefit of mini split systems is that they’re fairly easy and quick to install. They’re non-invasive and only require a small three-inch hole to be drilled through the exterior walls of rooms that have a unit in them. Each indoor unit has copper tubing housed in a conduit that connects it to the outdoor condenser unit.
Tax Incentives
Due to their high efficiency level, mini split systems make you eligible to receive a tax incentive from the federal government. In most cases, you can receive a tax rebate of 30% of the purchase price of your mini split system up to a maximum amount of $2,000. You may even be able to take advantage of state and local government tax credits depending on where you live. It’s typically best to check with your HVAC technician to discover what incentives are available for you.
Versatile Installation Options
When mini split units first appeared on the market, they were solely installed on the walls. This made them very visible and bulky. While these units are still the most cost-effective, there are other options available. You can have the unit installed on the floor like a radiator or in the ceiling like a vent. If you do opt for installing a unit on the ceiling, it will be more discreet but costlier to have installed.
Better Indoor Air Quality
Another great benefit of getting a ductless mini split system over a traditional ducted system is that it’s going to have better indoor air quality. Ductwork is well-known to harbor unwanted dirt, dust, mold, and even mildew. If you don’t keep up with regular duct cleaning service, all these harmful contaminants can continue to circulate throughout the air in your home, reducing its overall quality. With a ductless system, you don’t have to worry about any of this contamination. You’ll simply need to wash the filter in each unit every month so your system can continue to provide good-quality air to your home.
Higher Upfront Cost
One initial drawback to investing in mini split systems is that they can be costly. However, it’s important to know that you are getting a dual-functioning system with a mini split unit. When you total up the cost of purchasing a new furnace and new air conditioning system, you’re likely to find they will cost around the same as investing in a ductless mini split system.
Only Optimal for Mild Climates
Another widely known disadvantage of the mini-split is that it will only be efficient at temperatures above freezing. When temperatures get too cold, these units will utilize a backup heating element that is powered by electricity. This comes with a high operational cost, which makes this system a bad option for homes that regularly experience temperatures below freezing. Rather, these systems are recommended for homes in mild climates as that’s where they’re going to be the most efficient.
Requires Multiple Units
Another pitfall of the ductless mini split system is that it requires you to install a plethora of mini splits throughout your home. If you want to be able to control the temperature in a specific room, it has to have a unit in it. With a central air conditioning system, all the rooms of your home can have their temperature controlled with one system and one thermostat.
Expert Mini Split System Service
Green Dot Heating & Air offers expert mini split system services to the entire Wilmington, NC region. We can also help with all of your heating, cooling, smart thermostat, indoor air quality, and ductwork needs. Contact our friendly staff today to schedule your next service appointment.
