Stay Cool - DUCTLESS AIR CONDITIONING

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Ductless air conditioners and heat pumps are gaining in popularity as a means of providing cooling for a house. These systems function much the same as any other air conditioning or heat pump, except that they do not require ductwork to distribute air throughout the house. They are particularly practical for existing homes where there is no ductwork already installed for heating or cooling purposes.

This feature can produce substantial energy savings over a ducted air distribution system as there is no opportunity for the loss of conditioned air from the ductwork running through attics, basements or crawls spaces. Duct losses can account for more than 25% of energy consumption. Ductless systems consist of an outside unit containing the usual air conditioner and heat pump components and a relatively small indoor fan-coil unit that can be located on any nearby wall. The usual heat pump (or air conditioner) refrigerant tubing connects the two elements. These systems are ideal for smaller houses, remote rooms in large houses or for houses that have an open floor plan. This gives you the ability to “zone” or control heating and cooling to different parts of your home by using additional indoor air handling units.

The two primary components of a ductless system are: an outdoor condensing unit, and one or more indoor air handling units. The use of multiple air handlers connected to a single condenser gives the system its alternate name — mini-split. A conduit, which houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, and condensate drain, links the outdoor and indoor units. A filter is located at each air handler.

The main advantages of mini-split systems include:
Compact size
Flexible positioning
Ease of installation
Remote controls
Zone cooling
No energy loss on distribution

The compact size and low profile of the indoor air handlers offers flexibility of placement. With its non-obtrusive casing only extending out about 6-8 inches from the wall or ceiling surface there are numerous placement options in most rooms. They can be suspended from a ceiling, mounted flush into a drop ceiling, or hung on a wall. While ceiling or high wall placement is preferred, floor-mount units are also available.

Remote control features make it easier to control the system, especially when air handlers are positioned high on walls or suspended from ceilings. A remote can be used for selection of all system functions such as the temperature setpoint, switch to fan-only operation, redirecting the vanes on louvers, setting on/off timers, and adjusting energy-saver settings. Most units have automatic louver mechanisms that oscillate the air vanes for balanced airflow.

Most systems allow up to three air handling units (containing the evaporator coil) to be connected to a single outdoor condensing unit, depending on how much heating or cooling is required for each zone. Duct vibration noises and duct dirt/mold accumulations are also eliminated with a ductless system. Heat pump models are also available.

The primary disadvantage of ductless systems is their cost. Such systems cost about 30% more than conventional central systems, exclusive of ductwork, and may cost twice as much as window units of similar capacity. The appearance of the indoor unit is an issue for some people. Most air handlers have sleek modern designs, but they still are a component that would not typically be seen in the living area of a house with a conventional central system. However, they do not take up the window space that a window-mounted unit requires.

Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue