When looking for a heating and cooling system for your dwelling, it’s crucial to choose one that balances efficiency, performance and finances. That’s why many families look to mini-splits for climate control in their home.
Mini-splits—often known as ductless mini-splits—provide several advantages that make them a popular solution for both homes and businesses. They're highly energy efficient, lowering energy consumption and saving on utility bills, because they avoid the energy losses affiliated with the ductwork found in traditional HVAC systems. They also permit users to tailor the temperature in each room, enhancing overall comfort while not wasting energy.
If you’re considering mini-split installation in Ames, it’s worthwhile to first find out if these devices are the right solution for your living situation. Here, we’ll explore how mini-splits measure up to other heating and cooling devices and appliances.
What a Mini-Split Is and How It Works
A mini-split, or ductless mini-split, is a heating and cooling system that doesn't need ductwork to function. It's often used in homes that don't have any air ducts and for homes with rooms that aren’t served well by the residence's existing HVAC system.
A mini-split system has two major components: an outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air-handling component. They are attached by a conduit carrying the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing and a condensate drain.
Here's how it works: the outside compressor circulates the refrigerant necessary for heat exchange within the coils and the air handler. The in-house unit draws in air from the room, cools or heats it over the coils and sends the conditioned air back into the room.
Mini-Split vs. Central Air
Mini-splits provide targeted cooling in certain rooms or zones of your home. They are known for energy efficiency because they only provide hot or cold air for the areas you desire. However, they may not blend seamlessly into every room because of their wall-mounted indoor units.
On the other hand, a central air system uniformly cools your entire home, producing consistent comfort levels throughout. Its ductwork is hidden away, preserving the interior design of your home. On the other hand, it might not be as energy efficient as a mini-split, especially in quite sizeable homes or residences where certain areas may not need constant conditioning.
Mini-Split vs. Window AC/Window Unit
Mini-splits are typically more energy efficient and not as loud as a window air conditioning unit and are useful for cooling air in multiple rooms. This is why mini-splits are a flexible option for countless homeowners. They also use a type of refrigerant that is more eco-friendly, limiting their environmental impact. These units can even add value to your home due to their long-lasting nature and remarkable cooling capabilities. However, they come with a larger initial investment.
On the contrary, window air conditioners are less expensive up front. They are often a good fit for homes that cannot accommodate a central air system or for families with budget constraints. Despite these advantages, window units can consume up to 40% more energy than ductless mini-split systems and often are louder.
Mini-Split vs. Portable AC
The answer to what is better, a ductless mini-split or a portable air conditioning unit, is dependent on your goals. If your main worries are energy efficiency and performance, a mini-split is heads and shoulders better than a portable AC unit. However, if finances is a significant concern, a portable AC costs less.
Mini-Split vs. Gas Furnace
Deciding between a mini-split system and a gas furnace depends on an assortment of factors including the climate in your city, home size, energy efficiency desires and spending plan.
A mini-split system usually is more energy efficient than a gas furnace. It can heat and cool defined areas within your home, providing custom climate control in specific rooms. Mini-splits also are generally quieter and have a greater up-front cost, but their operating costs are usually smaller due to their improved energy efficiency.
However, a gas furnace can be an extremely effective heating source, particularly in colder climates where mini-split heat pumps may struggle to maintain comfort levels in the bitter cold. Even though they are less energy efficient than mini-splits, gas furnaces likely have lower initial costs. But, their operating costs can be higher, especially if natural gas prices increase.
Mini-Split vs. Heat Pump
Mini-splits and heat pumps operate using the concept of heat transfer. They are both energy efficient, but a heat pump's air ducts can cause more energy usage. This difference aside, the choice between a mini-split and a heat pump often is based on on a family's needs and circumstances.
By way of example, if you live in a warmer climate and primarily need cooling, a mini-split system might be a good choice. But then again, if you need both heating and cooling and already have ductwork in your home, a heat pump could be a more efficient option.
Mini-Split vs. Space Heater
With regards to heating and cooling a home, mini-splits and space heaters each have advantages. However, for total efficiency, versatility, comfort and safety, mini-splits outperform space heaters. Mini-splits provide superior energy efficiency simply because they deliver conditioned air directly to different zones and can serve several rooms at once.
Space heaters are far less expensive to buy but are typically reserved for heating a confined area or a single room. They also are often less energy efficient. Unlike mini-splits, space heaters do not provide cooling. The biggest drawback for space heaters is the danger of fire. Authorities say some 1,700 fires each year involve space heaters.