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Pros and Cons of Ductless Air Conditioning

July 9, 2024

If you are considering your cooling options, whether this is a new system or air conditioning replacement, you should take a serious look at ductless air conditioning. Ductless air conditioning, sometimes called ductless mini splits or heat pumps, is a different approach to air conditioning than we’re used to in the United States, though they’ve been common overseas for many years.

Look at these pros and cons to determine whether this type of air conditioning is right for you.

Pro: Easy Installation

Air conditioning installation is easy for ductless systems. That’s because ductless air conditioning doesn’t require – you guessed it – ducts. This system is made up of two different parts: the room unit and the outside unit, and they’re only connected by a small conduit. This means that installing them requires just putting up the inside and outside units and drilling a few small holes. This easy installation makes ductless air conditioning a great choice for renovations of some of Denver’s classic homes where installing ducts can be disruptive and expensive.

Central air conditioning replacement with a new central air system doesn’t require new ductwork. However, most people will need ductwork to install new central air conditioning. Even if you have central heating in an older home, your ducts are likely not sufficient to shift to air conditioning duty.

Con: Higher Installation Cost

Although ductless air condition installation is easy, it can be more expensive. That’s because instead of just one air conditioning unit for the entire home, you have multiple units placed in separate rooms.

However, ductless air conditioning isn’t always more expensive. If you’re renovating a home and looking at installing all-new ductwork, that can make a central air conditioning system more expensive.

Pro: Energy Efficiency

ductless air conditioning benefitsDuctless air conditioning can be highly efficient. By separating the two parts of the system, the cooling part is highly insulated from the waste heat, which can make it more efficient. With ductless air conditioning, you’re delivering cooling only where you want it when you want it (more on this later). Plus, many ductless air conditioning units work with a single compressor unit for multiple cooling units, which creates lower power demand.

Con: Low Performance in Extreme Temperatures

Because ductless air conditioning often uses a single compressor unit to cool multiple indoor units, the system can be taxed to deliver sufficient cooling in the most extreme temperatures.

However, it’s possible to get around these limitations. Choose a larger compressor or multiple units. Another option is to install a geothermal heat pump system instead, which can maintain high performance and efficiency even during extreme temperatures.

Pro: Better Air Quality

Ductless air conditioning can improve the air quality in your home. That’s because each conditioning unit has its own air filters to remove dust and other contaminants from the air. The system also doesn’t have air ducts, which become reservoirs of dust and dirt, contributing to poor air quality.

Con: Higher Maintenance Requirements

On the other hand, the separate units of the ductless system can be more difficult and expensive to maintain. Each air filter will have to be cleaned or replaced regularly to maintain efficiency. Central air conditioning has only a single unit to maintain.

Pro: Built-in Zoning

Another benefit of ductless air conditioning is that it automatically creates separate cooling zones in your home. Each unit operates independently, so each person can determine the proper cooling level for the place where they are. You won’t have fights about where to set the thermostat, and you won’t waste money cooling unused space.

Con: High Interior Space Demand

On the other hand, ductless systems make higher demands on your interior space. Each room will need its own blower unit. This may not be an issue, but for homes with small rooms and/or low ceilings, ductless units can eat up some essential space.

Pro: Low-Noise

With a ductless system, the interior unit isn’t just insulated from the heat of the outdoor unit, it’s insulated from the sound as well. All you’ll hear is the gentle sound of the blower.

With central air conditioning, the system isn’t just blowing air, it’s blowing sound, and sometimes this can be disruptive.

Con: Units May Look Unattractive

With blower units in every room, your ductless system will be visible to everyone in your home. This can disrupt the aesthetics of your home. In comparison, central air conditioning just needs a discrete duct in each room.

Choose Major Heating and Air Conditioning for Your Air Conditioning

Whether you decide that ductless air conditioning is right for you or if you would prefer the more traditional central AC, Major Heating and Air Conditioning can help. We’ve been helping people in Denver and along the Front Range to enjoy absolute comfort in their homes since 1970. We’ve been able to remain a trusted Denver HVAC company because we believe in doing the job right. We’ve maintained an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau since 1983. We offer free estimates on new equipment, so it’s easy to learn how much it would cost to go ductless.

Please contact us today to set up your free estimate.

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