If you’ve never heard of a ductless system before, you probably at least understand by the name that it is a cooling system that doesn’t rely on a network of air ducts. Rather, it relies on one relatively small outdoor condenser unit and up to four air handlers. Each air handler is connected to the outdoor unit via a conduit containing refrigerant, a power line, and a condensate drain line.
Ductless systems operate like heat pumps, transferring heat out of the home and putting it through an evaporation and condensing process to bring cooling into your home. A reversing valve allows this process to be reversed so you can also use this system to heat your home in the winter. But, what makes this so great? Read on as we uncover 4 reasons going ductless can benefit your home!
1. They’re Versatile
Ductless systems, also referred to as ductless mini-splits, are able to both heat and cool your living space, as we mentioned above. This allows for year-round comfort with just a flip of a switch to go between “cooling mode” and “heating mode.” This is especially great for climates just like ours—those that have hot summers and relatively mild winters.
2. They’re Convenient
Installing ductwork can be a tedious and expensive process, depending on the layout of your home, among other factors. Some households may not have the space for ductwork, so a ductless system can be a great alternative to a traditional, central air conditioner.
Installing a ductless system, for our team, is a fairly simple process that does involve some very minor construction—a tiny hole drilled in the wall to run the conduits through to each air handler. The good thing about this, is that the air handlers are mounted up high on the wall, out of everybody’s way.
3. Cost
First off, we’ll start by saying that it is typically more expensive to purchase and install a ductless system than another type of air conditioner. There are a number of reasons why, including that they are advanced systems and require a specialized and highly trained team to install.
That said, what you may pay more for in the installation will be nothing compared to the savings you’ll receive due to the system’s efficiency. Each air handler can be individually controlled from one another, which means everyone can adjust theirs to their own cooling and heating preferences. Plus, they transfer heat when in heating mode, versus generating heat, which also makes them very efficient.
This means that they’re going to cost a lot less to operate from month to month.
4. Efficiency
How are these systems so efficient? Well, in addition to the individualized control and heat transfer process we just mentioned, ductless systems don’t use ductwork! This means that they don’t suffer from energy losses that are associated with ducted systems.
A breach in a central air conditioner’s ductwork can account for more than 30% of energy waste. A ductless system, however, will never have this problem and will ultimately save you a ton of money in terms of utility bills.
Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration is your trusted resource for service with your ductless AC in Santa Fe, NM. Contact us today!
