Oshkosh, WI Affordable Ductless Air Conditioning
Installing central AC can quickly become a costly and time-consuming endeavor if your home does not already have ductwork built in. While central AC offers an easy way to refresh your house, these types of systems simply cannot be used in certain homes with certain budgets. Luckily there are many other options for these people who still want to cool their home but cannot buy a central AC unit.
Evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, are considered efficient for dryer climates. They continue to make a lot of noise, however, and are limited in their ability to cool. There are people from different countries who choose to use a ductless mini-split system in their homes as a way to cool their homes. These systems are great for homes that are not equipped for central AC because they’re easy to install, you can cool various zones in your home, and they are energy efficient.
How does ductless air conditioning work?
A ductless air conditioning system consists of a condenser unit that is installed outside the home and air handler units located in each room. The refrigerant cools the indoor air passing through the unit. The heat is expelled into the outdoors via a conduit.
The fans in the air handlers are designed to run as quietly as possible, so they’re no louder than a central AC system and run much more quietly than the typical window fan. The condenser is the loudest system component but is always installed outside the home.
A ductless system’s air handlers can be mounted on or recessed into the ceiling or a wall in each of the rooms to be cooled. You can control the units separately or set them up to communicate with a thermostat.
Thermostats can be installed in different parts of your home to establish multiple cooling zones. For example, the upstairs level and downstairs level could have their own separate thermostats, and a less used space in the house could be zoned off and only turned on when needed. You can program ductless systems to have up to four different zone settings.
What are the benefits of ductless systems?
A home that doesn’t have ductwork in it can have a ductless mini-split air conditioning system installed in it easily. It is typical for homeowners to have a choice on the air handler type that will be installed in the rooms in the house. The ones that appear flushed with the wall or ceiling will have a higher price tag.
In order to retrofit your home with ducts for a central AC unit, holes in your walls and ceilings and/or a reduction in closet space may be necessary. The only structural change needed to install a ductless system is a small hole to permit connection of the indoor air handlers to the condenser unit located outdoors.
Due to the fact that a ductless AC doesn’t need a large pathway for air to travel, they are typically more energy efficient than central AC. Ductless systems are generally about 30% more energy efficient than central AC, which translates into lower utility bills. This energy wastage is caused by the leak, seams, and holes that can be found in the ductwork.
Ductless mini-split systems allow homeowners to set different zones so they don’t have to cool the entire home at once. This is particularly helpful in bedrooms, so residents can set their room to a comfortable sleeping temperature without having to cool the rest of the house. This will definitely be a better way to lower your electricity bills.
Ductless systems are also advantageous over window style air conditioning units because they do not jeopardize safety or potentially let pests into your home through a partly open window. When it comes to fixing the unit in your room, the ductless air conditioning systems are more flexible than window air conditioning systems. Additionally, a ductless system can be set to warm in the cold months, which means you can be comfy year round.
Professional Installation
If you decide that a mini-split AC system is the way to go for your family, talk to an AC expert as they can get the system installed in as little as a day. They will take measurements of your house to calculate how many units you need to sufficiently cool the space, and they’ll also mention any zoning requirements that might be applicable.
Homeowners may be tempted to install a ductless system on their own, but it’s far safer to have it done by a professional who knows how to install wiring and safely handle toxic refrigerant. A practitioner can also advise on the best positioning of air handlers and what kind of equipment would be better for your home. If you have a problem with your ductless system, an experienced professional will repair or replace it and get your home comfortable again in no time.