Having a home air conditioning system can provide much-needed relief from the hot summertime temperatures. If you’re looking to get a new AC, we can help. Below, we’ll discuss ductless mini-splits and central air conditioners so that you can make a better-informed purchasing decision about which one is right for your home.
Central Air Conditioners
Central AC units are the most popular air conditioning systems on the market today. They have two main components: the indoor air handler unit and the outdoor condenser unit. Copper refrigerant lines connect these units, and a single thermostat controls the entire system.
Central air conditioners use a substance known as refrigerant to transport heat. The refrigerant absorbs heat from inside your home and transports it outdoors. This leaves your home nice and cool. Central AC units rely on ductwork to transfer cold air to all your rooms and remove hot air for treatment. These units are very common and are often matched with an existing forced-air heating system.
Ductless Mini-Splits
The same basic technology of transporting heat via refrigerant is also used in ductless mini-split units. The main difference is that they don’t rely on ducting. Instead, they use many indoor air handler units to intake, treat, and disperse the treated air to each room of your home.
Each main room will have its own indoor air handler unit, allowing you to set different temperatures for different areas of your home. Additionally, ductless mini-splits can operate in reverse to provide heat for your home during the cold winter months. Mini-splits are a dual-use system, whereas central air conditioners only function for cooling.
Because ductless mini-splits don’t need ducting, they are a popular retrofit option for existing homes that lack adequate ductwork. Attempting to install ductwork in a pre-existing home is very labor-intensive and expensive. You will need to remove sections of your flooring and walls to accommodate the air ducts, and you will need to make repairs to restore the appearance of your home.
Energy Efficiency
When determining which new air conditioner is best for your home, one thing to always consider is the potential energy-efficiency ratings. The higher a system’s rating, the more money you can save on your monthly cooling bills. ACs have a SEER2 rating, which stands for Seasonal Energy-Efficiency Ratio.
Most standard central AC units have a SEER2 rating of 13.4 to 18. You can buy more expensive high-efficiency options with higher SEER2 ratings. In general, standard mini-splits have a SEER2 rating between 16 and 28. It’s clear that ductless mini-splits have higher operating efficiency than most central air conditioning systems.
Several factors account for this difference. One of the most notable is the lack of ducting. As ductwork ages, it can develop leaks and gaps that allow treated air to escape into floor and wall crevices. In fact, the EPA estimates that homeowners using central air conditioners with ducting over 10 years old could be losing between 20% and 30% of their cold air due to ductwork leaks.
Another reason for a higher efficiency rating is inverter technology. This technology is standard for mini-splits but is not yet standard for central air conditioners. Inverter technology allows your system to operate at varying capacities depending on your specific needs.
For example, if you only need to decrease your interior temperature by a couple of degrees, your mini-split can operate at 50% capacity instead of 100%. This still cools your home but uses much less energy than if it operates at full capacity of 100%.
Tax Incentives
Another factor to consider when selecting a new air conditioner for your home is the tax incentives for which you may be eligible. There are various incentives you can take advantage of, with the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 being the most popular.
Homeowners purchasing a new AC unit can claim a credit on their federal tax return. You can find a list of qualifying systems on ENERGY STAR’s website. In general, central air conditioners qualify for a tax credit of up to $600. Ductless mini-splits qualify for $2,000 to $3,200, depending on whether you attach them to a geothermal heat pump.
You will also likely find that your new unit makes you eligible to receive incentives from your utility company and, sometimes, from your state or local government. In general, central air conditioners qualify for lower rebates and incentives than ductless mini-splits.
Zone Temperature Control
One very notable difference between the two units is zone temperature control. With a traditional central air conditioning system, you set one temperature on your thermostat that cools your entire home to that single temperature.
Ductless mini-splits allow for independent temperature control at each indoor air handler unit. This means you can set the temperature in your bedroom, kitchen, living room, den, and so forth to different levels depending on your individual preferences. This optimizes your household’s comfort and allows you to be more efficient with your energy usage by turning up the temperature in rooms that you’re not using.
Appearance
Another important difference between mini-splits and central ACs is their appearance. Because central air conditioners use ductwork, they are a very discreet system. All you will see throughout the rooms of your home are air vents. The indoor air handler unit is usually integrated into your existing furnace or placed in a utility closet out of sight.
Ductless mini-splits tend to be more noticeable. They come in three different mounting styles for your convenience: floor, ceiling, and wall. Install wall-mounted units on your exterior wall. They come in many sizes, with approximately two feet by one foot being a popular dimension. These wall-mounted units are now available in different colors and styles to better integrate with your interior aesthetics.
Floor-mounted units are another option that looks very much like traditional radiators. Ceiling-mounted units are a more discreet option, resembling a ceiling vent. But they need extra space above the ceiling for installation and may not fit all applications. Additionally, ceiling-mounted units are more expensive than floor or wall-mounted units.
Understanding the Best Option for Your Home
Both central air conditioners and ductless mini-splits have their pros and cons. The best option for your home will depend on your specific home’s attributes. If you already have ductwork running throughout your home, it is more cost-effective to install a central air conditioner rather than ductless mini-splits. But if your home lacks ductwork, installing ductwork can be expensive. Opting for a ductless mini-split is the more cost-effective option.
If you have a home addition or want to control the temperature in your garage better, extending your existing ductwork may not be the best option. Your current cooling system may lack the power to cool both your new space and the existing areas of the house. Instead, opting to install a ductless mini-split may be the best solution for these home additions.
Expert AC Installation Service
A/C & Plumbing Doctors is your expert AC installation service professional serving the Gilbert, AZ area. We can also assist with all your AC maintenance, repair, and replacement needs. Call us today to schedule your next service appointment.
