Whether the majority of your home already has central air conditioning, you need to replace a system, or you’d like to add A/C to a space, ductless mini splits get results — often better than a central A/C system affords.

A ductless mini split is very similar to a central air conditioner, as it has a condenser and indoor handler as its primary components. The difference in the two systems is that a central A/C uses ductwork to distribute cool air from a central air handler, whereas a mini split requires that you install a separate air handler in the rooms where you desire cool air.

Here’s a rundown of the benefits of using this type of system, over an A/C system.

Space requirements

The largest ductless mini-split systems can generally cool a space of up to about 1,200 square feet, making them ideal for cooling individual rooms. However, if you have an addition, for example, that allows the free flow of air (i.e., without closed doors) you can use a mini split to cool several smaller spaces.

Older homes

Ductless mini splits are a good solution when adding cooling to spaces in older homes. Most older homes have limited ceiling space, and in order to add ductwork to such a home, you need about 12 feet of ceiling height. Ductless mini splits don’t use ductwork — problem solved.

Lower costs

However, even if your home would allow for retrofitting ductwork, this is an expensive endeavor, which requires modifications to your home, an expense in itself, along with costly duct materials and installation costs.

Efficiency

Ductless mini splits are a heat-pump system, which gets efficient results — just as efficient as a central A/C system; however, because an A/C is susceptible to energy losses through ductwork leaks, longer duct runs and energy losses at registers, mini splits often reach higher efficiencies in the long run.

For help assessing your home’s requirements or to evaluate ductless mini splits, give the home-comfort experts a call at Jon Wayne Heating & Air Conditioning. We are committed to helping San Antonio homeowners maximize home comfort and save energy.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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