Benefits of mini-splits are endless. But what are mini-split systems? As the name suggests, mini-split systems or aka ductless HVAC are heating & cooling solutions that require zero ductwork. An effective & scalable method of providing heating or cooling, ductless systems consist of one or more wall, floor or ceiling-installed indoor units connected to an outdoor unit.
Thinking about going duct-free to heat or cool your home or office? These benefits of mini-split heat pumps below might help you finalize your decisions.
1. Saves Money
Mini-splits, especially those Energy Star-certified ones, are easier on the pocket compared to traditional HVACs. You can save as much as 30-40% off the energy costs of a forced-air system.
Since ductless systems are smaller & the temperature-controlled air is sent directly into a room, there’s no loss in efficiency.
Mini-split heating & air conditioning systems also let you build “zones” in your home, meaning you don’t need to heat or cool rooms that are unoccupied.
Aside from saving on utility costs, you can also be qualified for utility rebates or tax credits for the year you install a mini-split system. There are a few federal, state & local programs that let home & business owners benefit from these extra savings.
2. Better and Healthier Indoor Air Quality
Tiny & invisible particles like dust, pollen, bacteria, allergens & viruses can be harmful to our health. Bad news is that ducted systems are a big source of these nasty pollutants—from mold, fungi & algae finding the ductwork a favorable environment to grow & then spread all over your home.
Good news is that mini-split heat pump systems use multi-stage & comprehensive filtration methods that significantly decrease impurities & toxins in the air, & thus, improve indoor air quality. In conjunction with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters, the peak standard for filtering air, it can eliminate 99.97% of all airborne particles sized 0.3 microns or bigger.
3. Hassle-Free to Install
One of the many benefits of mini-split heat pumps is that it's such a breeze to install. The lack of any ducts means ductless HVACs can be installed in considerably less time versus traditional, ducted systems. Depending on the number of indoor & outdoor units needed, ductless systems can be up & functioning as quickly as one day.
Mini-splits are also less invasive to mount—no need to rip your ceiling apart, use heavy machinery or even move all your furniture away. The only minor change to your home is a negligible 3” x 3” hole behind the indoor unit for the conduit to fit through the wall & then connect to the outdoor unit.
4. More Eco-Friendly
Ducted systems are terrible for wasting energy, with up to 30% of produced cooling or heating lost by the time it reaches a room.
On the other hand, the small size & zoning capabilities of ductless heating & air-conditioning systems make them a more eco-friendly choice. They’re also ENERGY STAR-certified, meaning they’re much more energy-efficient than the minimum US government standards.
Greater energy efficiency is equal to a lower carbon footprint. Another big factor for decreasing carbon output for mini-splits is its use of R410A refrigerant, which is an environmentally friendly option.
5. Quiet Operation
Ducts are prone to rattling sounds because of the vibrations they produce when delivering air. With mini-splits, the air is less turbulent—virtually whisper-quiet, so the noise is subdued when it travels through your home.
Finally, you don’t need to bear loud ductwork or noisy furnaces whenever you want to cool or heat your home & you can simply enjoy a comfortable temperature all year round.
6. Greater variety of customization
The fact that ductless mini-splits are open to having a variety of customizations makes them more efficient, adding to their benefits. Furthermore, they have the ability to get connected to your smartphone. This connectivity allows you to access functions like setting timers, sleep mode, and controlling systems from your smartphone itself.
This prevents unnecessary charges from running through your system for too long, even when they're not needed. Usually, traditional air conditioning systems do have similar abilities, but they end up requiring an upgrade frequently, whereas ductless mini-splits offer these features as a part of their standard package.
7. More placement options
Another benefit of getting a mini-split system is that when you invest in one, you are provided with quite a few options regarding where you can place your indoor or outdoor units. This makes for a perfect choice for those living on irregular landscapes or in unusually shaped homes, since you won't have to compromise your system or take on additional work as a traditional HVAC system would have demanded.
You will easily find models whose indoor units would not only comply well when placed higher up on a wall but similarly well when they have to be placed closer to the floor or left suspended from the ceiling. However, with the outdoor units, you would definitely get some basic requirements for placement; however, that will not be restricted by the higher degree of flexibility of placement it has.
With these mini-split benefits in mind, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t opt for this HVAC system.
Are you looking to work with an experienced team of HVAC Technicians ? Call Home Mechanics for your heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical needs or email us directly at info@homemechanics.com. We are always ready to provide you with the best HVAC solutions.
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