How You Can Benefit from a Ductless HVAC System

For many years, central air has been the primary choice among American families in terms of establishing a comfortable living environment.  It gives us the ability to live normal lives in the midst of extremely harsh weather. Having said that, not everyone is pleased with how a central air system performs. In fact, more and more homeowners are becoming unhappy with conventional heating and cooling systems in recent years and are drawn to the benefits of ductless HVAC systems.

Some of the main complaints about conventional forced-air systems include leaking ducts and inconsistent heating and cooling. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, an average duct system leaks about 20 to 30 percent of its air. Older units can even allow up to 50 percent of heated or cooled air to escape into the ceiling or attic space, causing major inconvenience and wasting a considerable amount of energy.

If you are currently facing similar problems, you may need the expertise of an HVAC professional to reevaluate your HVAC system, which could cost you a lot of money, especially if you end up replacing your existing system altogether. A ductless system might be a better solution to this problem.

Four Seasons Air Specialists is your leading HVAC company in Lino Lakes MN that offers energy-efficient ductless HVAC systems made by Lennox.

Ductless Systems 101

A ductless system typically is made up of two main parts: an indoor air-handling unit mounted on the wall and an outside compressor. A channel links the outdoor unit with the indoor unit. As the name suggests, a ductless HVAC system does not need any ductwork to transport air, making it a more convenient heating and cooling choice for homes, especially those with thick walls.

In a ductless setup, individual rooms are heated or cooled by location-specific units. Each unit functions according to its own settings, having a thermostat for each room. The temperature in every section can be changed in order to meet the needs in a given space without creating erratic or insufficient heating or cooling in another section.

The Advantages of Going Ductless

In comparison to a traditional setup, a ductless system needs less energy to operate. It is also significantly more compact than a forced-air system, and since the heated or cooled air is delivered directly into a room, you can be sure that there is no loss in efficiency.

With traditional HVAC systems, air ducts must be professionally maintained regularly. Having said that, even after cleaning, the duct still collects a new set of dirt and dust, waiting to be circulated throughout your home. On the contrary, ductless systems use multi-stage filtration systems that can significantly minimize dust, bacteria, pollen, allergens and other particles in the air.

Ductless systems incorporate a refrigerant called R410A, which is much safer to the environment compared to the older, now phased out R22. This means that a home with a ductless system installed has a lower carbon footprint, which helps reduce the depletion of the ozone layer and increases the value of the home.

Who Should Consider Having a Ductless System?

There are a number of applications where a ductless system can be beneficial. If you have rooms that are rarely occupied such as guest rooms or study rooms, a ductless system can be a cost-effective way to heat or cool such areas.

Also, ductless systems are good retrofit add-ons to homes with existing heating and cooling systems that do not have ducts. They can also be a good option for room additions where extending ductwork is not feasible.

In addition, you can also think about getting a ductless system if you are concerned about the high costs of running an inefficient central heating or cooling system.

One particular factor to consider is to choose a system that has the ENERGY STAR label. Such HVAC systems usually outperform other units in terms of energy efficiency. Moreover, do not forget to entrust the installation job to a qualified, factory-trained HVAC professional to ensure the system is going to work based on the manufacturer’s specifications.

Need Help? Call The HVAC Gurus

For more information about ductless HVAC systems, call Four Seasons Air Specialists, your friendly Centerville heating and air conditioning company.