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The Pros and Cons of Ductless Air Conditioning

Last Updated on Wednesday, 31 December 1969 15:59 Written by Pat Lowe Monday, 26 January 2009 10:40

The latest trend in home air conditioning is known as ductless air conditioning. Generally, this type of system has both an interior and exterior unit. The compressor unit is mounted near an exterior wall of the house. Two lines are run through the wall, which carry coolant to the indoor air handling units. Most systems feature more than one indoor unit, so you can place them in different areas of the house.

The latest trend in home air conditioning is known as ductless air conditioning. Generally, this type of system has both an interior and exterior unit. The compressor unit is mounted near an exterior wall of the house. Two lines are run through the wall, which carry coolant to the indoor air handling units. Most systems feature more than one indoor unit, so you can place them in different areas of the house.

Most people will choose to go with ductless air conditioning because it can be much more energy efficient. The reason for this is simple. A traditional duct system has to take the cold, heavy air down into the basement and then force it back up through the house. A ductless system places the evaporator up high, usually just a few inches below the ceiling. This allows the cold air to move down naturally throughout the house without the need for a blower. You can save a lot of energy, and money, when gravity does the work.

With this type of air conditioning system, you can enjoy the benefits of more than one interior unit. This means that you can cool down only certain areas of the house as required. For instance, you can turn off the bedroom unit during the day. At the same time, your main living areas can still be kept comfortably cool. This move alone can cut your energy costs in half without even noticing the difference.

Because the cold air is distributed near the top of the room, you'll find that your floor doesn't get icy like it does with central air conditioning. Your room will also cool down much more quickly. That's because the temperature of the air being released from the ductless air conditioning unit is usually quite a bit colder than central.

You can also get some handy accessories for your ductless air conditioning unit. Some models act as an air purifier, while others can dehumidify the air without cooling it down. There are those that feature slats that oscillate in order to help move the air through a wider area. There are even models that can be used to provide warmth in the colder months.

But there are some negative aspects to going ductless. Typically they're up to 30 percent more costly than other systems of air conditioning. In addition, they most often need to be installed by a professional. It's a little more involved than installing central air, and considerably more complex than popping in a window unit.

Overall, you might find that this is a good alternative to other forms of air conditioning. It's reliable and convenient. And over time you're likely to recover the added expense of this type of system.