What is the Difference Between Ductless Mini Splits and Other HVAC Systems

If you're in the market for a new heating and air conditioning system, you may be wondering which type of system is right for you. In this blog post, we will take a look at the differences between ductless mini-splits and ducted HVAC systems. That way, you can make an informed decision based on the needs of your family and the climate in Wendell, North Carolina.

Ducted HVAC Systems

Ducted HVAC systems are also commonly called central air conditioning systems. They are the most common type of HVAC system in the United States, and they use a network of ducts to distribute air throughout your home. A central unit heats or cools the air, which is then distributed through the ducts to each room in your home. The “explain it to me like I’m five” description of this process is as follows:

1. The return vents suck hot air out of your house.
2. The air is cooled with refrigerant (cold stuff).
3. The outside (condenser) unit blows the heat off the hot (compressed refrigerant) gas.
4. The hot stuff becomes cold stuff again and goes back inside to cool more air.
5. The cooled air gets blown into your rooms through the ducts.

The primary benefit of a ducted system is that it can be used to heat and cool an entire house from one central location.

However, ducted systems have some drawbacks. They require a significant amount of renovation work to install ductwork (if you don’t have ducts already), which can be costly and disruptive. Ducted systems can also lose energy efficiency due to leaks in the ductwork, which can lead to higher energy bills and reduced comfort levels.

Ductless Mini-Split HVAC Systems

Ductless mini-split HVAC systems, as the name implies, do not require any ductwork or tubing to distribute air. These systems include an outdoor unit and one or more indoor units that can be mounted on the wall or ceiling of each room. Each indoor unit is connected to the outdoor unit by a small refrigerant line that requires only a small hole to be drilled in the wall. The cooling process is fairly similar as far as the refrigerant is concerned (the biggest difference is just the amount of air that one ductless unit can handle at once is substantially less): 

• Ductless mini-split systems use refrigerant to absorb heat from the air in your home.
• The absorbed heat is then transferred to the outdoor unit of the system, where it is released into the air.
• The cooled refrigerant is then circulated back into the indoor unit of the system, where it absorbs more heat from the air.
• The indoor unit blows the cooled air back into the room.

One of the primary benefits of ductless mini-split systems is their energy efficiency. Because there are no ducts, there is no energy loss due to leaks, making these systems more cost-effective to operate, especially in small spaces. Additionally, ductless mini-split systems allow you to control the temperature of each room or zone individually, which can improve your comfort levels and reduce energy waste.

Conclusion

If you're considering a new HVAC system, contact the experts at All Hours Heating and Air. We can help you determine which system is right for your home and provide professional installation and maintenance services to keep your system running smoothly for years to come.