Both traditional HVAC and mini-splits are useful home heating and cooling solutions. The best system for any individual home depends on the layout of the home, plus a homeowner’s priorities and needs. To figure out which one is best for you, you first need to understand the pros and cons of each system.
Difficulty and Cost of Installation
There are several variables involved in estimating both the cost and difficulty of installing mini-splits. In terms of total area cooled or heated, if you already have ductwork installed, traditional HVAC is usually cheaper. However, if your ductwork needs significant upgrades or if you don’t have ductwork at all, this can drive the cost of traditional HVAC up so that it may be comparable to the cost of installing ductless mini-splits. Installing ductwork can also be disruptive.
Ductless mini-splits are relatively simple to install. They are mounted on the wall or ceiling, and it’s only necessary to drill a small hole to run a line to the outside unit. However, they can be expensive per unit. And if you’re installing several units, as most people do, the price tag can go up quickly.
Energy Efficiency
The cost of installing ductless mini-splits is balanced by the fact that they cost less to run. It will probably take you a few years for the costs to balance out, but this energy efficiency can also be a plus if environmental sustainability is important to you.
The ducts in a ducted system are actually one of the big drawbacks when it comes to performance. You can lose up to 30% of your warm or cool air through these ducts. Another aspect of energy efficiency is the degree of temperature control each system allows, as discussed below.
Temperature Control
One of the advantages that ductless mini-splits offer over traditional HVAC is zoned cooling and heating. In most settings, central heating and cooling are controlled by a single thermostat. While ductless mini-splits usually have a single outdoor unit just as a traditional central AC or heating system does, there are usually several indoor units throughout a home or building. Each of these can be set at a different temperature.
The problem with traditional HVAC is that there may be one or more rooms that do not cool or heat as effectively as the others. That room might always be a little too cold or too hot. In addition, if everyone in the house or building doesn’t have the same temperature preference, at least one person will always be unhappy with the temperature.
With ductless mini-splits, you can reduce or eliminate these problems. In addition, you can turn off heating or cooling entirely in areas that you aren’t currently using. With traditional HVAC, you end up heating or cooling every room whether you need to or not. Closing vents in those rooms is usually not a good solution. It doesn’t increase energy efficiency and can disrupt the system’s overall balance or even damage ductwork.
Aesthetics
With a traditional HVAC system, your air comes through vents in the floor, ceiling or wall. These are unobtrusive. In contrast, ductless mini-splits are somewhat bulky. They are usually mounted on the wall, although they can also be placed on the ceiling.
A second aesthetic consideration with ductless mini-splits is that the line that runs from your indoor to your outdoor unit might be visible on the outside of your house. It is possible in some cases to get a covering for this line that matches the color of your home.
Some people may feel that traditional HVAC is the clear winner for aesthetics, but it really depends a lot on your design, your layout and how much you dislike the look of mini-splits. It might be possible to place them in fairly unobtrusive places.
Reliable HVAC Installation
At AirNow Air Conditioning, we’ve been providing heating and cooling solutions to customers in Sarasota, FL since 1946. We offer a variety of HVAC services, including repair, maintenance and installation for both traditional heating and cooling systems and for ductless mini-splits. We can also help you decide on the best HVAC solution for your home based on your budget and other considerations. Contact AirNow Air Conditioning today to discuss your heating and cooling system options.
