Home and business owners across the nation have been swapping their central HVAC systems for ductless heating and cooling – here’s why.
Read our previous blog: 15 Benefits of Ductless Heating and Cooling
Basic Benefits
1. Heating and cooling in one unit. Since ductless systems only transfer heat instead of generating it, they offer both heating and air conditioning in a single unit.
2. Ability to keep small or large spaces comfortable.Mini splits can be sized to heat and cool small areas, large homes, and expansive offices.
3. Zoning capabilities. Ductless HVAC systems allow you to create individual zones with separate temperature controls for each.
4. Consistent temperatures. Instead of cycling on and off like a central HVAC system, mini splits use variable speed fans to gradually increase or decrease temperature.
5. No hot and cold spots. Consistent temps mean no more areas in your home that are uncomfortably hot while others are too cool.
6. Minimal maintenance. Ductless heat pumps typically require less maintenance and fewer repairs than traditional heating and cooling systems.
7. Quiet operation. A mini split operates at approximately 30 decibels, which is the sound equivalent of a human whisper.
8. Trusted brands. Mini-split systems are made by brands you know and trust, like LG, Daikin, and Mitsubishi Electric.
9. Good warranties. Manufacturers of ductless equipment provide comprehensive warranties to cover defects during the first several years of system ownership.
10. Longer lasting. With proper maintenance, a ductless heat pump can last 20+ years.
11. Easy installation. A single-zone mini split can typically be installed by a qualified HVAC professional in just a few hours.
12. Commercial units available. Ductless HVAC systems can also be outfitted to meet various commercial needs, including warehouses, restaurants, and more.
Safety Benefits
13. Safer than space heaters. Unlike electric space heaters, ductless systems pose no risk of fire or overheating.
14. Safer than gas furnaces. Mini splits also don’t produce dangerous carbon monoxide like a gas furnace or wood stove.
15. Better home security. Window air conditioners require you to have an open window at all times and the panels that extend on either side of the AC to fill the space are usually flimsy.
Air Quality Benefits
16. Improved air quality. Without ducts to collect pet hair, dust, and other particulates, mini splits deliver superior air quality compared to central HVAC systems.
17. Better humidity control. In addition to heating and cooling a space, ductless systems also work to remove moisture in the air. This reduces indoor humidity levels and creates a cooling effect in the summer.
18. Deodorizing capabilities. Instead of covering up odors like candles or incense,
high-quality mini split filters help remove odor particles in kitchens, pet areas, basements, and other areas.
19. Filter monitoring. Some ductless units offer the ability to monitor filter usage and allow you to see how much of your filter is used, how much is left, and when you need to clean it.
20. Reusable filters. Unlike central HVAC systems that use disposable filters that have to be replaced every month or so, ductless units feature reusable filters that can be washed and replaced.
21. No tanks to empty. Even though mini splits dehumidify your space, there are no tanks or buckets to empty like with a separate dehumidifier appliance.
22. Mildew resistance. Today’s ductless units come with advanced coatings on interior components that resist mold and mildew growth. This is especially helpful in the Boston, Massachusetts area where salty sea air can corrode unprotected metal pretty quickly.
Environmental Benefits
23. Lower carbon footprint. Since mini splits only move heat, they require a lot less energy than systems that generate it. They also produce fewer emissions compared to gas furnaces, window ACs, and wood stoves.
24. Energy saving mode. Many ductless models offer an additional energy saving mode that can be used at night or while you’re away to further cut down on wasteful energy consumption.
25. Shut off rooms not in use. You can shut off mini splits in rooms that you’re not using without putting strain on the system.
26. Works great with solar panels. If you have solar panels or plan on getting them in the future, a ductless system can help you optimize the use of the energy you generate.
27. Uses eco-friendly refrigerants. Old central systems and window ACs may use outdated refrigerants that can be harmful to the environment whereas newer mini splits use eco-friendly refrigerants that pose less of a hazard.
Financial Benefits
28. Less expensive than building ductwork. Installing ductless in new construction is significantly cheaper than building out ductwork, even for a small house or retail store.
29. Lower electric bills. Since mini split HVAC systems use significantly less energy to keep your space warm or cool, your electric bills will be much lower after you switch to ductless.
30. Lower cost repairs. Using less energy means less wear and tear on your system and translates into needing fewer repairs. When you do have your mini split serviced, it tends to be less expensive.
31. Available rebates. Massachusetts offers generous rebates for home and business owners that switch to ductless HVAC. You can get up to $10,000 back on the cost of installation with Mass Save.
32. Tax credits. In addition to ductless rebates available through the state, new mini split owners may also be eligible for federal energy efficiency tax credits.
33. Can finance installation costs. Eligible buyers can finance up to 100% of their ductless installation costs, meaning that if you qualify, you could get a mini split with $0 down.
34. Increased property value. Upgrading the HVAC system in your home or business to a ductless mini split not only saves you money, it increases the value of your property and overall equity.
35. Pays for itself in energy savings. Because heat pumps use drastically less energy, the money you save on your monthly electric bills will eventually pay for the cost of the system. From there, you’ll just continue to save.
Heating Benefits
36. 100% heating capacity at -5 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s a common misconception that mini splits can’t heat well when it’s cold out. These efficient units still retain 100% capacity even in negative outdoor temperatures.
37. 70% to 81% heating capacity at -13 degrees Fahrenheit. In case of a severe cold snap, a heat pump will still keep you warm with only slightly reduced capacity once temps outside reach negative double digits.
38. Works with backup heating. When Boston winters get frigid, you can use backup heating sources along with your ductless unit to keep your space comfortable.
39. No cold air rush at equipment startup. Ductless units have features that pre-warm the internal components so that when the fan blows, the air is instantly warm.
Aesthetic Benefits
40. Aesthetically appealing indoor units. Ductless mini splits are designed to work well with a wide variety of decor options and are more appealing than window ACs or space heaters.
41. Multiple styles available. With dozens of models to choose from, you can opt for a traditional heat pump or something more stylish like a mirrored unit or one with a picture frame on the front.
42. Placement flexibility. You can put ductless on your wall, near your floor, in your ceiling, or even in your ducts depending on what you need from your system.
43. Line hides make indoor and outdoor refrigerant lines less noticeable. When your mini split is installed, the refrigerant lines that run between the indoor and outdoor units are covered by “line hides” which can be painted the same color as the background. This makes the lines less noticeable and helps insulate them from cold, moisture, and debris.
44. Keep your window view. Unlike window ACs, mini splits don’t take up an entire window with an ugly appliance or ruin your view from inside.
45. Installation does not require major changes to your house. Only a small opening is needed in your wall to run the refrigerant lines from the outdoor condenser to the indoor air handler.
46. Works with any ceiling height. If you have cathedral ceilings, heat pumps are a great option. They can be installed anywhere on your wall or in your ceiling to ensure optimal airflow.
47. Compact indoor units leave room for furniture. Floor-mounted mini-splits are small and thin, allowing more room for tables and chairs, couches, and other furniture.
48. Small outdoor units fit in low-profile places. Not only are the indoor units in a ductless system small, the outdoor units are also narrow and can be easily hidden behind bushes or fencing.
Electrical Benefits
49. Less power draw on old electric systems. Massachusetts’ homes may be charming, but their old electrical systems often have a hard time keeping up with large central HVAC units.
50. Plugs into your wall outlet. You don’t need any special outlets or conversions to install a ductless system in your home or office. As long as there’s an outlet, you’re good to go.
51. Generator compatible. Mini splits are compatible with generator power if you lose access to the grid during a storm.
Tech Benefits
52. Programmable thermostats. A programmable thermostat is a device that allows you to set your desired temperature according to a schedule that your system will automatically follow. Many of these are Wi-Fi enabled and can be controlled from your mobile phone.
53. Easy user interface. Ductless systems may have more settings than a window AC or space heater, but they have a user-friendly interface that is easy to learn and a breeze to control.
54. Smart home capable. Many heat pumps are designed to connect to your smart home devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Home so you can change your comfort settings using convenient voice controls.
55. Sophisticated temp sensors. Mini splits have advanced temperature sensors that can detect small changes in the comfort of your space, which allows for more precise heating and cooling.
56. Absence detection. Some mini splits have features that detect whether a room is empty or occupied and will adjust the settings accordingly.
57. Thermal profiles. In addition to sensing if a room has people in it, some ductless units can also tell where the people are in the room and direct airflow to them accordingly.
58. Auto restart after power outage. Most heat pumps also come with an automatic restart feature that will turn your system back on after the power has gone out without you having to do it manually.
59. Auto clean. Auto clean features heat up the interior components to kill bacteria and other harmful microorganisms to keep your system fresh.
60. Automatic defrosting. Heat pumps have a defrost mode that prevents the outdoor condenser from freezing up in the summer when you have the AC turned up.
Benefits of Not Having Ducts
61. No lost air. Ducts are an inefficient way to transport heated or cooled air from one place to another. This is because they often have holes, cracks, and other small openings that allow air to escape into your attic or basement where it essentially becomes “lost.”
62. No duct cleaning. It may go without saying, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that not having any ducts means you don’t have to pay to have them cleaned every year.
63. No duct repairs. With a ductless system, you also don’t have to worry about sudden duct repairs cropping up.
64. Fewer pests. Not having ducts also means that there are fewer places for insects and nuisance animals to get in and hide.
Benefits for Different Types of Installations
65. Good for RVs and converted buses. Ductwork usually isn’t an option in RVs and window units are loud and don’t offer heating. Ductless provides travelers with safe and easy HVAC that doesn’t add a lot to the vehicle’s gross weight.
66. Great for unconventional home layouts. If your home has an awkward layout that prevents air from flowing freely from room to room, a multi-zone ductless system can eliminate this problem by delivering air directly to the space that needs it.
67. Excellent for garages. Putting ductwork in a garage that houses a vehicle can be dangerous due to the risk of carbon monoxide traveling from the car exhaust in your garage into your home. Ductless units don’t have this issue.
68. Good for old or historic homes. Since ductless HVAC doesn’t require a lot of renovation work to be done, they are a great option for Boston’s historic homes that need to be preserved.
69. Good for home additions. If you’re adding a room to your house, ductless offers a quick and easy way to make the space comfortable without having to connect it to the rest of your ductwork.
70. Great for basements. Because mini splits remove humidity, they’re an excellent choice for finished or unfinished basements. Say goodbye to that damp, musty smell!
71. Perfect for nurseries. Since heat pumps are so quiet, you use them to heat or cool a nursery without worry about waking the baby up.
72. Good for sheds. Do you have an outdoor shed that needs climate control? A mini split doesn’t have to be connected to your house at all!
73. Good for sunrooms. Heat pumps are powerful enough to fight the temperature fluctuations in a sunroom with floor-to-ceiling windows.
74. Good for kitchens. Kitchens can get hot when you cook, but having a ductless unit there can help filter cooking grease from your air and keep you cool until dinner’s done.
75. Good for mobile buildings. Mini splits are a great choice for buildings that aren’t stationary like construction site offices, traveling MRIs, libraries on wheels, and more.
Ready for Superior Comfort?
Are you considering switching to ductless heating and cooling? N.E.T.R., Inc. is here to help. Our team of qualified Boston HVAC contractors will work with you to select the right mini split for your needs and provide you with comprehensive follow-up support to make sure your new system is working perfectly. Contact us today by calling (781) 933-6387.
