How to Protect Your Heat Pump from Snow & Ice
November 17, 2023
If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, you may not realize how many options you truly have. While many homeowners go with a central air system by default, that isn’t necessarily the best choice for every household. There are actually several types of cooling systems you can purchase, and each type brings its own advantages and disadvantages. One type of AC unit that’s worth considering for your home is a ductless air conditioner, which is often referred to as a ductless mini-split system. Here, we’ll cover a handful of the reasons why a ductless air conditioning system may be an excellent choice for your Downriver home.
When you purchase a central air conditioner or a central heat pump for your home, the installation process is typically a long, complicated process—especially if you need new ductwork installed as well. Since you most likely will have to go without household cooling during the process, waiting for that project to be finished can be uncomfortable and frustrating. However, if you go with a ductless air conditioning system, the installation process is much less of an ordeal. Because there’s no ductwork needed, the job will be quick and easy for an HVAC technician to complete. In fact, there’s a good chance the entire project will be done in less than a day, meaning you won’t have to spend any time without access to cool air.
With a ductless air conditioning system, you can have multiple indoor units all linked to one outdoor unit. These indoor units can be located in different sections of your home, which gives you and your family the opportunity to have different temperatures in each room of the house. For example, if you prefer the climate to be nice and cool while your significant other likes it a bit warmer, you can both be comfortable simultaneously in different parts of your home. This makes it easier for everyone to be happy and helps to eliminate any family arguments about the temperature. You don’t get this benefit with central air conditioners, which work by cooling the entire home at once.
In most cases, ductless air conditioners use up less energy on average than other types of systems. There are a few reasons why ductless mini-splits tend to be so efficient. For one thing, whenever a room isn’t being used, you can turn off that room’s unit, so the system is generally only using electricity when it’s actually necessary. There’s also the fact that with central air systems and heat pumps, problems with household ductwork can sometimes hamper efficiency. For example, when the air ducts become overly dirty or clogged, the AC unit has to work harder to push air through, and that requires more energy. Finally, there’s the fact that ductless air conditioners use variable speed compressors. These compressors continuously make adjustments to keep the climate consistent, which burns through less energy than switching on and off throughout the day.
One of the downsides of ductwork is the tendency for things like dust, dirt, mold, and random debris to accumulate inside the air ducts over time. And if you have a central air conditioner, the cool air it circulates will often pick up many of those contaminant particles. Inevitably, the contaminants end up in the air that you and your family are breathing, which can lead to discomfort and respiratory issues. Not only do ductless air conditioning systems work without air ducts, but they also use a multi-layer filtration system to keep the air you breathe as clean and healthy as possible.
Ductless air conditioners are a popular choice for people with smaller homes, and the reason is that they don’t take up much space. Central air systems are pretty bulky and feature many complex components, while window AC units are obtrusive and don’t usually look great. Ductless mini-split systems, on the other hand, require only a single outdoor unit and one or more indoor air handlers. Plus, the indoor units are relatively small and can be mounted on the wall to keep them out of the way. Granted, if you have a large house, saving some space probably won’t be a major selling point when it comes to selecting an air conditioner. However, if you’re working with a limited amount of room in your home, the difference between a ductless mini-split system and a central air conditioner can feel very significant.
When you have a ductless air conditioning system in your home, you generally don’t have to do all that much to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. As long as you regularly replace the air filters, avoid obstructing any of the indoor air handlers, and keep the area around the outdoor unit clear, the only other thing you’ll need to worry about is scheduling yearly tune-ups. If you stay on top of those few tasks, there’s no reason your ductless system won’t enjoy a long, healthy lifespan.
On the other hand, if you have a central air conditioner, you also need to keep up with ductwork maintenance. If you don’t make a point to have the air ducts regularly cleaned and inspected, you increase the likelihood of several problems. Ductwork issues can lead to worsened AC efficiency, malfunctions, breakdowns, and poor overall comfort in your home. If you go with a ductless mini-split system, though, you’ll never need to worry about duct cleanings or inspections
Whether you choose to go with a ductless air conditioner, a central air system, or any other kind of cooling system, you can always count on Flo-Aire to handle your maintenance, repair, and installation needs. Our friendly technicians are licensed, trained, and experienced, and they’ll go above and beyond to help ensure your year-round comfort. If you’d like to learn more or schedule an appointment, give Flo-Aire a call today at (734) 285-1809.
Locally owned and operated in Southgate, MI since 1955, Flo-Aire Heating, Cooling & Electrical is one of the top heating & cooling companies in Southeast Michigan. Flo-Aire provides residential, commercial and industrial HVAC services throughout all of Metro Detroit.
