Ductless air conditioners (also called “mini-splits”) are a great alternative to loud, light-stealing, backbreaking-to-install window air conditioners; they can also be a great source of supplemental cooling for some problem rooms in homes with central air conditioning.
Why choose a ductless air conditioning system? Consider these great benefits:
Efficiency – Ductless A/C systems are extremely efficient, with most models having SEER ratings of 20 or more – well more than the required 14 rating (and far higher than window units, which typically run in the 14-15 SEER range (at least some of this bump in efficiency comes from eliminating the need for ducts, which are notorious for their air leaks).
Flexibility – A mini-split’s air handler (the indoor unit that hangs on your wall) can be placed in hard-to-cool areas anywhere in your house – even in rooms with no windows. Several air handlers of different sizes can be connected to a single compressor (the outdoor unit), giving you even more flexibility.
Healthier air – Mold, microorganisms, and allergens can flourish inside your home’s ductwork; without ducts, a mini-split system will help your family breathe easier – especially family members with allergies or asthma.
Whisper quiet operation – Much like a central air conditioner, the condenser in a ductless system lives outside your home – not in your window. The result? No whisper quiet operation in your living room or bedroom.
More window space – A ductless air conditioner mounts on your wall, connecting to its condenser via a small pipe through an external wall. That means you’ll get your window space back – and the view and light that comes with it.
Less environmental impact – With a ductless system you’ll not only save energy, you’ll also use a more ozone-friendly refrigerant called R410A.
Best of all, some of today’s advanced mini-split systems can also be used to heat your space, providing a year-round high efficiency comfort solution for your home!
Spring has arrived here in Southern Maine and New Hampshire, and although it’s not quite time to dust off the A/C units in your basement, it will be soon.