Do Ductless A/C Systems Save Money?

When most people think of an air conditioner, they either think of window units or central air systems. But there’s a third home cooling option to consider: a ductless air conditioning system.

Ductless (also called “mini-split”) systems include two parts: an indoor component (the air handler) and an outdoor unit (the compressor/condenser), which connect via a thin tube through one of your home’s exterior walls. A single outdoor unit can power multiple indoor units, giving you a lot of flexibility to meet the cooling needs of your home.

Why are ductless systems so efficient?

Ductless systems are extremely efficient, too, with SEER ratings reaching well into the 20s – a level that most central air conditioning systems can’t touch. Why the up-tick in efficiency? Primarily for three reasons:

• They don’t use ducts – As much as 30 percent of the air cooled by your central A/C unit never reaches your living space because of leaks in your ductwork. Since a ductless system has no ducts, efficiency is higher – and you’ll save money on duct repairs, too.
• Lower power requirements – In a ductless system, air handlers use less power than their counterparts in a forced air system.
• Greater zone control – Since individual air handlers operate independently – with each unit having its own thermostat – you can have better control over how you “spend” your cold air. This is a particular money-saver in a large home.

So…can a ductless system save you money?

The answer? Maybe. Despite these advantages, ductless isn’t the ideal option for every home. If your current house already has quality ductwork installed, switching to ductless as a primary cooling system probably doesn’t make much financial sense. If you don’t have ductwork, however, ductless is a big step up from window A/Cs.

Another perfect application for a ductless system is for supplemental cooling – installing A/C in a home addition, for example, or in a room that is particularly hard to cool. Add a ductless system to your sunroom, home office, workshop, garage, guesthouse or pool house outbuilding and you’ll have a high-efficiency answer to any cooling problem.

Not sure if ductless air conditioning is right for you ? Let’s talk! Contact us today to learn more, or to get a FREE, no-obligation estimate on a ductless air conditioner installation in Androscoggin County, ME!