The Pros and Cons of a Ductless Air Conditioner

Ductless systems offer many benefits, such as:

They work well in new additions to a home like sunrooms, garage apartments and man caves. They also provide heating and cooling support for older homes that lack ductwork.

They save energy with ENERGY STAR qualified units, as they only heat/cool the rooms that are being occupied. This makes them ideal for families with different comfort preferences.

1. Cost

The installation of a new HVAC system can represent a substantial financial commitment. The right system will help a homeowner save energy, lower utility bills and boost home value.

Ductless systems typically cost less to run than central ACs. They also tend to have a higher energy efficiency rating, meaning they will help homeowners cut down on electricity consumption and their carbon footprint.

Another plus is that ductless air conditioners offer a degree of HVAC zone control. Changing temperatures in one room impacts just that room, so you can keep areas that receive more traffic at lower temperatures than others.

On the flip side, ductless systems can have a higher upfront cost. They are more expensive to install than window or baseboard units, and they may be too expensive for people with limited finances. The interior head units, which look like large printers suspended from the ceiling, can be a visual eyesore for some people.

2. Installation

Many people choose to install ductless air conditioners because they are more energy efficient. They require a higher installation cost, but this can be recouped in the long run through lower electric bills.

Unlike central AC systems that use ductwork to circulate air, ductless air conditioners deliver cooling directly into rooms with their indoor blowers. Because of this, they don’t steal warm air from other areas and waste electricity heating the same area twice.

The units themselves can be recessed into drop ceilings or hung on walls and will blend in with the décor, but some homeowners find that they don’t mesh well with their design. Bowman advises that if you have strict aesthetic standards, stick with a traditional central air conditioner instead.

Ductless systems are ideal for new additions like garage apartments, sunrooms or man caves. They can also be used to make bedrooms that are a challenge to cool more comfortable without disrupting the rest of your home’s HVAC system.

3. Aesthetics

Aesthetics is a field of study that explores the principles of beauty in products, services, and environments. Most research in consumer psychology and marketing focuses on how aesthetic stimuli are perceived and judged by consumers.

Many homeowners are hesitant to install ductless air conditioning because they don’t like the look of a large blower mounted on their wall. Some people also have trouble with the line that runs from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit, which includes a condensate drain and electrical connections.

Ductless systems are more visually unobtrusive than a window air conditioner and don’t require vents that block views or use up storage space. In addition, a ductless system doesn’t make loud, clanging noises every time it starts or shuts off, or when a room changes temperature. It’s much quieter than a standard AC system and won’t interrupt your movie or phone call. Indoor units run at a decibel level as low as 19dB(A), which is equivalent to the sound of gently rustling leaves.

4. Energy Efficiency

If your home can’t accommodate ductwork, or you have room additions that don’t need heating/cooling support, a ductless system is the best choice. The lack of ducts eliminates the 25% heat loss typically found in traditional ducted systems, especially when they run through uninsulated attics or crawlspaces.

Unlike central AC systems, which have a single thermostat that controls settings throughout your home, ductless air conditioners have individual programmable thermostats that control the temperature of each indoor unit. The energy savings associated with cooling only the rooms that are occupied will drastically reduce your utility bills.

Keep in mind, though, that if you live in an apartment and your landlord prohibits exterior modifications, a ductless system isn’t a good option. Additionally, the high wall indoor units look like large printers and may not fit well in your home’s layout or low ceilings. Also, the length of refrigerant lines that connect the outdoor and indoor units can add to the upfront cost, although this cost will be recouped in energy savings over time.