How many of us have called in the HVAC company for what we assumed was a minor repair, only to be told that the entire unit needed to be replaced? If you have been in that position, you know the price tag is pretty steep? So what if your HVAC provider recommended switching to a ductless system?

Ductless air conditioning is something Utah’s Superior Water & Air installs for customers looking for a new way to cool their homes. It can be more expensive upfront, but ductless AC can ultimately prove cheaper in the long run.

How It Differs From Central Air

Central air has been a mainstay of residential HVAC for decades. Central air works just like central heating. A central compressor handles cooling the air, sending it throughout the home through ductwork. It works well enough. Unfortunately, it has its downsides.

Ductless air conditioning addresses those downsides by getting rid of the ductwork. Instead, each room has its own wall or floor mounted air handler connected to an exterior condenser. Some condensers can accommodate multiple air handlers, thereby minimizing installation and equipment costs.

It is also worth noting that ductless AC units often double as heat pumps. They can handle both heating and cooling in environments that don’t experience extreme temperatures.

Why Someone Would Choose Ductless AC

Superior W&A explains that homeowners choose ductless AC for a variety of reasons. At the top of the list is minimal construction. Existing homes without central air can get all the benefits of air conditioning without the major construction that comes with installing ducts.

Ductless AC is also ideal for spaces not currently serviced by a home’s existing ductwork. Garages and sun rooms immediately come to mind. Other reasons for installing ductless AC include:

• Customized Control – An installation can create distinct heating and cooling zones based on where air handlers are placed. Each zone can be customized with its own temperature setting. You cannot do that with central air unless you’re willing to spend quite a bit.
• Energy Efficiency – Eliminating duct work eliminates the energy loss associated with it. That translates into energy savings. And if ductless units double as heat pumps, a homeowner saves during the winter months too.
• Flexible Installation – Ductless AC installations are more flexible than you might imagine. Exterior condensers can be mounted on a wall or placed on the ground. Meanwhile, air handlers can be mounted on the wall, recessed in the ceiling, or installed in the floor.
• Minimal Venting Needs – Central air requires a considerable venting to work properly. Ductless units do not. A ductless air handler needs only a small hole to facilitate air movement. There is no need for floor vents to vent the unit outdoors.

On the downside, every air handler and condenser in the system is another unit that has to be maintained. A homeowner will not run himself ragged taking care of a ductless AC system, but he still needs to put in the time and effort to maintain each of the units.

Pros Still Handle Repairs

HVAC professionals still handle all the repairs for ductless AC. Of course, DIY homeowners with the knowledge and skills to take care of minor maintenance issues can certainly do so. But for anything major, calling in an HVAC pro is the way to go.

If you’ve been thinking about installing air conditioning but don’t want to go with a traditional centralized system, you might consider ductless AC. It offers most of the benefits of central air but with more flexibility and customization. It might be exactly what you need.