Ductless air conditioning systems are excellent choices for both home and business cooling solutions. These systems are perfect for scenarios where a residence or building hasn’t been built with ducts, which could include historic homes in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, new garage apartments, sunroom enclosures, etc. They’re also suitable for business offices that need to be retrofitted to become server rooms or conference rooms where additional cooling is needed. Aztec Mechanical can work with you to design and build a system that works perfectly for your needs. To empower you to have an informed conversation, here’s some background information about ductless air conditioner systems.
What are ductless air conditioners?
A ductless air conditioning system, also called a mini split system, provides zoned air conditioning and/or heating without ductwork and air distribution. Like refrigerated air conditioners, mini split systems have an outdoor compressor/condenser unit and an indoor air handling unit mounted to the wall. There are also systems with the indoor unit above a lay-in ceiling. These units differ from other air conditioning units in the way they cool the air and how it is distributed through the space.
The outdoor unit contains a fan that cools the coils, a compressor that circulates refrigerant, and an expansion valve that transforms hot refrigerant into cold liquid to cool the indoor units’ coils. The indoor unit draws inside air over its coils and blows it directly into the room. A plastic tube carries condensation from the indoor unit outside. Refrigerant circulates between the outdoor and indoor units via insulated copper tubing, capturing heat inside and transferring it outside. The mini split system delivers cool air into its own zone and only where cool air is needed.
What are the advantages of ductless systems?
There are several advantages for ductless A/C systems when it comes to installation. Ductless air conditioners, and heat pump systems, are small in size and have a great deal of flexibility in terms of where they can be installed. Putting in a mini split system is also much easier and faster than retrofitting a space with HVAC ducts that traditional systems require. Because they don’t require heavy-duty customization, ductless systems are also less expensive to install than traditional ones. You can also expect mini split systems to be whisper quiet, especially compared with the window units they often replace.
Additionally, ductless systems are exceptionally energy efficient. They can be installed to cool individual rooms or specific zones of larger areas. Each zone comes with its own thermostat, so you have immense control over the temperature in that area. That may allow you to regulate temperature for occupancy and save on energy output when the space is empty.
Without ducts, these systems also don’t have air leaks, heat gains, or pressure imbalances. Each of these can detract from a system’s efficiency. This adds up to energy savings. Overall, if you’re replacing window A/C units with a ductless system, you can expect to save 30% of electricity, the amount of cooling that’s typically lost to leaky, inefficient, or poorly insulated ductwork. This is particularly true of Energy Star rated mini split systems, such as the one offered by Daikin. Energy saving isn’t just good for the environment; it’s good for you, too. It can help your bottom line by saving on energy expenses. By installing a system like this, you may also be eligible for federal and local incentives that can save you money as well.
What else should I consider?
Depending on your situation, there may be a few drawbacks to installing a ductless system. First, although these systems are exceptionally cost effective, they are certainly more expensive than relying on window cooling units or baseboard heating units. Secondly, these systems require a bit more tending to. You’ll need to wash each unit’s filter monthly and/or have a professional maintain it. Ductless fans will overload quickly with accumulating debris; ignoring regularcmaintenance will impact the life of the system.
How Aztec Mechanical Can HelpOur experts can recommend the best A/C solution for you, whether it’s a ductless or traditional system. Contact us today to get started.