HVAC pros: Are you installing more ductless mini-split systems lately? Not surprising. According to HVAC.com, these heating and cooling systems are gaining in popularity as more and more homeowners are becoming tuned in to the benefits. But are ductless systems right for everyone? And, why now? This technology has been around since the 1960s, right? Here’s a rundown on the trend.

As most HVAC pros know, ductless systems consist of an outdoor unit and one or several indoor units.

Mini-splits work well for:

• Porches, sunrooms and rooms above a garage that don’t have heating and cooling.
• Older homes that have radiator heat and do not have ductwork, making it difficult and expensive to install ducted HVAC systems.
• Additions or renovations that are not connected to existing ductwork in the home.
• Tiny homes.
• Any other room that is underserved by traditional HVAC systems.
  

What are the benefits?

Why are homeowners choosing mini-splits? Here are a few of the most common reasons your customers are asking for these systems.

• Energy efficiency. As this technology advances, the units are becoming more efficient, which allows homeowners to get the benefit of lower energy bills as they reduce their carbon footprint.
  
• Zone control. In homes with traditional HVAC systems, controlling the heating and cooling on a room-by-room basis with programmable thermostats is a must-have. Mini-splits allow homeowners without these ducted systems to have the same ability. It allows for energy savings by adjusting the heating and cooling in rooms or whole areas of the home that don’t get a lot of use.
  
• Easy installation. These units are relatively quick and easy to install, especially compared to the lengthy and costly process of building ductwork into older homes.
  
• Cooling without the hassle of window units. In older homes that have radiator heat and no ductwork, central air simply hasn’t been an option for homeowners who don’t want to install the necessary ductwork. So, cooling has meant window units and all the hassle that comes with putting them in in the spring and taking them out in the late fall. These window units can be a drain on the electric bill and can short out during times of peak usage.  
• New advancements in design. Older mini-split units were a bit large, loud and intrusive.  Today, they are small, sleek and whisper quiet.
  

Are there any downsides?

While mini-split systems have strong benefits, they’re not always the right choice for homeowners. Here are some downsides to consider.

Upfront cost. A mini-split system will be more expensive than simply using window air conditioners to cool your home. They’re also more expensive than the upfront cost of installing a central air unit if the home has existing ductwork.

Aesthetics. While the design and footprint of these units has become smaller and more appealing, there is no getting around the fact that they’re going to be visible on your walls.

Ductwork. If a home has existing ductwork that’s in good shape, the better option may be to go with a central air unit. It’s less expensive and less intrusive.

More frequent cleaning. The newer mini-split systems are equipped with more advanced filtration systems, but those filters need to be cleaned more often than those of a central air unit.

Bottom line, ductless mini-split systems are becoming more and more popular, and they’re ideal for older homes that don’t have existing ductwork, and for additions, sunrooms, tiny homes, man caves or she sheds.

Questions? Find out more at your local Goodin branch.