The Pros and Cons of Ductless Air Conditioning

The latest trend in home air conditioning is known as ductless air conditioning. These systems typically include both indoor and outdoor units. The compressor unit is mounted near an exterior wall of the house. Two tubes run into the house through a wall, delivering coolant to the interior units. Most systems feature more than one indoor unit, so you can place them in different areas of the house.

The most common reason for choosing ductless air conditioning is because of its energy efficiency. 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. So the cold air can make its way down through the house without being forced by a fan. With gravity supplying most of the effort, you'll discover considerable savings on your energy bills.

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 technique can shave your electric bills in half with no impact on your comfort.

Since the cold air is released from near the ceiling, your floors won't be as cold as they can get with central air. Your room will also cool down much more quickly. This is due to the fact that the ductless unit produces air that is often much colder than a central or window air conditioning unit.

Ductless air conditioning can also feature some useful attachments. Some of them can filter the air or dehumidify without cooling. Others have louvers that move automatically to distribute the air throughout the whole area. Some units can even give you heat in the cold weather.

However, there are some downsides to ductless air conditioning. Usually they're more expensive than other cooling methods, as much as 30 percent. In addition, they most often need to be installed by a professional. This is somewhat more complicated than central air conditioning, and much more involved than installing a window air conditioner.

Overall, you might find that this is a good alternative to other types of home air conditioning unit. It's reliable and convenient. Plus, you'll usually find that the extra cost is recovered in a relatively short period of time through your energy savings.