Most living spaces or working environments nowadays have an air conditioning system. These usually fall under two categories where ductwork is involved. Therefore, the AC system is either ducted or ductless. While a ducted air conditioning system is not that bad, this article will focus more on the advantages of ductless heating and cooling systems:

What is a ductless cooling and heating system? It is a two-unit air conditioning system consisting of an outdoor compressor and an indoor evaporator. Both indoor and outdoor units are connected through a hole in the wall. The outdoor compressor unit blows out the heat from the room inside, while the indoor evaporator unit allows cool air into the space.

This sort of system presents plenty of benefits, and here are some of them:

Fewer Expenses

The greatest advantage of ductless air conditioning systems over those with ductwork is that they are cheaper to operate. You can cut expenses to about 30 to 40% because of the absence of ducts.

A heating and cooling system with ductwork costs more because there is a higher possibility of air leakage. Tears, improper installation, ruptures, and other issues in the ducts can leak air and waste more energy than normally needed. According to The US Department of Energy, leaking ducts can lead to 30% more wasted energy.

Making do without the duct system means that the ductless AC requires less maintenance. Since there are fewer parts to deal with, cleaning and washing them is easier and more convenient. In case of emergency HVAC system repairs, ductless air conditioners are easier to fix and handle. Maintenance personnel can fix issues or do regular tune-ups faster because there are fewer parts to worry about than a ducted AC with a full air duct system.

High-Quality Indoor Air

Eliminating the need for ducts lessens the risk of indoor air getting contaminated by particles, allergens, and other pollutants. Algae, fungi, and mold can form in the ducts as the latter provides a perfect environment for them to grow. To make things worse, insects and small animals may find their way into the ducts and pollute the indoor air. These contaminants can greatly affect the air quality of the heating and cooling systems that rely on ducts. 

However, ductless HVAC systems minimize this risk and improve indoor air quality. On top of that, they also have plenty of filtration options that increase indoor air quality even more. HEPA filters block particles in the air with a 99.97% success rate. Therefore, a standard ductless AC offers a higher quality air that will keep the occupants in the house or employees in the office healthier and more productive.

Easy to Install

Having no need for ductwork means that anyone can install a ductless HVAC system with less time, cost, and effort. Some reports say you can save around 50% more with a ductless air conditioner than with a ducted heating/cooling system. You only need a small hole to connect the two units. This easy fix implies that you will no longer have to do ductwork that might require modifying or overhauling your home or office. Since the hole in the wall is covered by the indoor and outdoor conditioning units, it becomes less visible compared to an air duct system.

Smart and Automated

Plug and play AC controllers can easily turn any ductless air conditioning systems into smart systems. Smart suggests that the unit can be connected to internet networks, allowing devices to connect and automate the unit. With the smart feature, you can control air conditioning using any handheld device.

Smart could also stand for Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology, which means you can set programs to automate the settings. The air conditioning system will adjust according to temperature, humidity, scheduling, or previous setting history. Some offer compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and other advanced technological systems. Technology will continue to advance, and ductless air conditioners will become more relevant as smart air conditioning systems improve.

Save Energy

Energy Efficiency Ratio and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio are ratings of how much energy you can save. The difference between the two is that SEER corresponds to inconsistent energy usage during the summer season. Ductless heating and cooling systems usually have a higher SEER rating than other air conditioning systems. Therefore, the former is more energy efficient than the latter. The additional ductwork contributes to more wasted energy as it is prone to air leakage.

Reduced Carbon Footprint

With ductless HVAC systems having high EER and SEER ratings, they produce fewer carbon emissions than their ductwork-reliant counterparts. In line with carbon footprint reduction, ENERGY STAR certifications are more efficient than US government restrictions. Ductless air conditioning systems use an environmental-friendly refrigerant called R410A. Compared to other types of refrigerants, this one causes less damage to the ozone layer.

Because of the factors mentioned above, you are spending less on your energy bills and saving the planet.

Ductless AC is More Advantageous

A ductless HVAC system is better because of these six advantages. The installation and maintenance costs are lessened because fewer parts are involved, and a duct system is no longer required. Since there are fewer parts, a ductless system is easier to install than a duct air conditioner. Ductless AC provides a higher quality of indoor air because the risk of pollutants is removed due to the absence of ductwork.

Since most ductless variants have advanced AC systems, they keep up with smart and automated technologies. A higher energy efficiency rating helps you save energy and reduces your carbon footprint. These are just a few of the many benefits a ductless HVAC system can offer.