You’ve no doubt heard about “ductless” systems, or seen one in action at a friend’s home. These increasingly popular systems can both cool and heat your home, and they’re an energy-efficient and versatile alternative to standard, duct-based HVAC setups. Plus, they have a number of other advantages, such as zoned comfort. In this article, we’ll review what ductless split systems are, how they work, and why one of these systems might be a good fit for your home.
For a free in-home estimate on a ductless setup here in Buffalo and Western New York, Reimer is the team to call. One of our techs can meet with you and help you determine if ductless is a good fit for your family’s cooling and heating needs.
What are ductless split systems?
It’s right in the name: ductless split systems do not rely on ductwork to transport heated or cooled air, as traditional furnaces and air conditioners do. Instead, these systems have two main components connected by a refrigerant line: an outdoor condenser and an indoor blower. Multiple indoor units can be connected to single outdoor unit: that’s where the “split” part of the name comes from. These units, typically wall-mounted, blow cooled or heated air into the room they’re in, cooling or heating it.
Benefits of upgrading to ductless
Going ductless has several advantages over a standard, duct-dependent HVAC setup. Here are just a few:
Lower Installation Cost
Installing new ducts or repairing old ones can be a significant investment in your home. It’s also a very invasive project, with walls and ceilings literally being torn up to access ductwork. In contrast, ductless installation often costs far less. If you’re weighing getting new ducts installed in your home or home addition, consider the benefits of ductless before you commit to such a long, costly project.
Energy-Efficiency
With a duct-driven cooling and heating setup, a significant amount of energy is lost in transit between the blower and the living spaces of your home. Ductless systems avoid this problem by putting the blower right into the living space. As a result, they can often heat and cool your home for far less energy, reducing your energy bills.
Zoned Comfort
A ductless split system is capable of heating and cooling rooms of your home independently of one another. Have one room that gets too cold in the winter, no matter what you do? You can set the system to heat that room more than the rest of your home. If you and your family are spending the evening in the living room, have the system heat that room without the need to also pay to heat the rest of the home. This can save you money and make your home more comfortable.
Versatility
Ductless systems are wall-mounted, which means they can go in many places that a duct line wouldn’t be able to travel. You can place a ductless system over your kitchen sink, for instance. Or, you can put one right over your bed in the master bedroom. The point is that you have more options than ever.
Indoor Air Quality
Air ducts are not only inefficient at transporting heated or cooled air from one place to another, but they’re also a great place for dust, dirt, grime, pollen, mold particles, and much more to collect. By bypassing the need for ducts entirely, ductless systems avoid this problem, meaning that you can breathe easier.
Is your home right for a ductless system?
Any home—even one with existing ductwork—can have a ductless split system added to it. However, ductless systems are most often installed in these types of situations:
Historic property
If you own a historic home that does not have existing ducts, a ductless split system allows you to add cooling and heating without major renovations that could ruin the historical value of the property.
Home additions
If you’ve added a bedroom to your home or a separate in-law suite on your property, consider having a ductless setup installed. In the case of the latter scenario, this allows you to add cooling and heating to a place where ductwork can’t go.
Other areas
Many homeowners who do regular work in their garage in the winter are opting to have our team install a wall-mounted ductless unit in that space, so that they can work on cars and home projects in comfort.
High-use rooms
As mentioned earlier, many homeowners who have existing ducts choose to have a ductless split installed to supplement their cooling and heating in one or two commonly used rooms.
Call Reimer for a free in-home estimate
Reimer Home Services is your trusted HVAC installation team here in Buffalo and Western New York. In fact, we’ve served local homeowners since 1921, helping them with their home comfort needs. That tradition of service continues to today. Our technicians can meet with you and provide you with a free in-home estimate on new ductless split systems.
To schedule your estimate, give our team a call today!
