Ductless heating and air conditioning systems are hardly new to the market. In fact, this technology has been around in some form for decades now. However, today’s units are almost unrecognizable by the standards of as little as 10 to 20 years ago. Whereas older units were bulky, clunky, difficult to install, and had a number of other problems, today’s units are far superior. Nonetheless, some of the common perceptions of ductless systems continue to exist even today—even though they have now firmly moved into the realm of “myths.”
Here are four of these common HVAC system myths and the real truth about each of them.
Old ductless HVAC systems were close to a nightmare to install. Because they grouped the compressor, all coils, and other components into one singular unit, you needed a pretty large hole in your wall to properly mount the giant box. Sure, there were window-mounted units, but these would take up your entire window and force you to lose out on your ability to enjoy fresh air.
Today’s ductless units have solved that problem. Ductless mini-split units are growing in popularity, and separate your outdoor functions from your indoor unit, instead placing them all into a small, efficient box. Connecting the two are only a few small lines for refrigerant flow and electrical connections, thus shrinking the size of the hole in your wall to only a few inches in diameter. It’s significantly easier to install, easier to repair, and even more efficient in terms of preventing heat loss.
This is a common myth we hear quite often. In the past, it was absolutely true: the various components of a ductless HVAC system all working together caused quite a din and made the unit difficult to use in a place that required low noise or concentration. They were difficult to sleep with, difficult to use in classrooms, offices, or libraries, and even made watching TV difficult.
That’s not the case anymore. As HVAC technology has advanced and improved, it has also become quieter. Today’s ductless HVAC systems are significantly quieter than their predecessors. To put it into perspective, the average indoor unit today runs only a few decibels louder than the sound of air rushing through a traditional forced-air vent located in a wall. You may be surprised—within a few minutes, you may not even notice your system running anymore.
If you’ve ever sat in a room with an old ductless HVAC system, you probably wondered to yourself when the cool air would actually start making the area more comfortable. These units were not nearly as good at cooling air in a space as they are today, and as they age, they’ve lost their ability to cool to an even greater degree.
Today’s ductless HVAC units are capable of cooling everything from a small bedroom to a large living space, and do so quickly and efficiently. Many of these units are capable of producing so much cold air that you’ll start to notice a difference in your temperature in as little as a few minutes. Within one cycle, you’ll be more comfortable and able to enjoy your space with dry, cool air.
Sure a ductless system may sound like a great idea, but are they really worth the money? Today’s systems are not only more affordable, but they’re also packed with more and more technology that makes them an even greater value. Plus with their energy efficiency, they’re also great at saving you money on your electricity bills.
But are they worth the cost for your home? Absolutely. In fact, homeowners are starting to ditch their old central HVAC system in favor of a ductless solution. Why? Because ductless systems give you the ability to precisely control the temperature in the rooms that you are actually using. You won’t have to cool rooms nobody is in, meaning you can leave the system shut off. Those who are using the room can set the temperature to their desired comfort level, and the cost for cooling to that level will be only a tiny fraction of what it would be to run your central HVAC system.
Likewise, when you consider that the cost of a new central cooling option might be $10,000 or more, it’s still cheaper to install four to five ductless HVAC units, even if they cost around $1,500 each. That makes so much sense for your wallet.
Want to learn more about installing a ductless heating and air conditioning system in your home, call the experts at John Owens Services at today!
Our philosophy is simple, we always want to maintain equipment to give it the longest life possible. Next, we want to focus on repairing when something goes wrong. Then only as the last choice, we replace equipment when needed. That’s the John Owens Way.