If you’re thinking about upgrading to a ductless mini split, excellent choice! Ductless mini splits offer a variety of benefits that can make the units very worthwhile. However, there are also some downsides to consider before you make the investment in this type of HVAC system.
You can keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of having a ductless mini split installed in your home. Then give our team a call if you have any further questions or want to schedule an appointment for ductless mini splits in Hinsdale.
What are the pros and cons of a ductless mini‑split system?
Pros:
- Highly energy-efficient, delivers conditioned air directly without duct losses, helping lower monthly energy costs.
- Provides both heating and cooling in a single, compact system, ideal when replacing or supplementing existing HVAC equipment.
- Offers individual climate control, each room can maintain its own temperature zone for added comfort.
Cons:
- Higher upfront installation cost compared to traditional ducted systems.
- Requires more maintenance, each indoor unit needs filter cleaning and servicing, increasing time spent on upkeep.
Great Reasons to Get a Mini Split
Mini split units improve both your home comfort and energy efficiency. This is because there is no attached ductwork that air has to channel through. Instead, conditioned air blows directly into the rooms of your home. This ensures that 100% of the air that gets heated or cooled blows directly into your rooms.
With more heated and cooled air reaching rooms, your home will maintain a more consistent temperature throughout the day. As a result, the units don’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature, ultimately saving you on your monthly energy costs. In fact, experts estimate that you could slash energy costs for heating and cooling by as much as half compared to a unit with ductwork attached.
If your monthly energy costs for heating and cooling are usually around $100, saving $50 per month adds up to $600 each year. With a 10-15 year expected lifespan, that’s $6,000 or more, especially when you keep up with professional maintenance.
That brings us to another benefit of the ductless mini split. It offers heating and cooling all in one single system. This eliminates the need to have a separate heater and air conditioner. You can replace your heating system and air conditioning unit all with one nifty purchase that’s more cost-effective and efficient.
Ductless mini split units are set up throughout the rooms of your home, so you also have the added benefit of temperature customization. You can close doors and maintain different temperatures in different areas of your home based on individual preferences.
Potential Downsides
Ductless mini splits are more expensive to install upfront compared to a more traditional ducted unit. However, when you take into consideration the fact that ductless mini splits are saving you a lot of money on your monthly energy costs, the upfront expense could easily even out.
The other potential downside is that ductless mini splits require more maintenance compared to central units. This is because instead of changing the filter, rinsing out the condensate drain line, and paying attention to problems with a single unit, you’re doing the same thing with as many individual units as you have across your home. This can be a bigger time commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What are the main benefits of installing a ductless mini-split system?
Answer: Ductless mini-splits improve home comfort and energy efficiency by delivering heating or cooling directly to rooms, without duct loss. They offer both heating and cooling in one system, customizable room-by-room temperature control, and significant energy cost savings, potentially reducing heating and cooling bills by up to half over the system’s lifespan.
Question: How much could a mini-split system save me in the long run?
Answer: With a typical lifespan of 10 to 15 years, ductless mini-splits can slash monthly energy costs significantly. For example, if you currently spend $100 per month, you could save around $50 monthly, or $600 per year, translating into around $6,000 in savings over the system’s life.
Question: What’s a unique advantage of replacing separate heating and cooling systems with a mini-split?
Answer: A ductless mini-split combines both heating and cooling into a single system. This means you don’t need separate units, reducing complexity, saving space, and potentially lowering costs.
Question: What are the downsides to consider before choosing a ductless mini-split?
Answer: The upfront installation cost is typically higher than traditional ducted systems. Additionally, maintenance is more involved since each indoor unit needs its filters cleaned or replaced, so upkeep can become more time-consuming with multiple zones.
Contact Althoff Home Services today to schedule an appointment with our professionals for a ductless mini split installation. Chicago’s Choice Since 1961. Hand It Off to Althoff!