What Is Residential Ductless?
Residential ductless systems are designed for use in homes. These systems feature an outdoor compressor and one or more indoor air handling units. Each of the indoor air handling units connects to its own thermostat, allowing you to heat and cool different zones in your home separately. You can also use a residential ductless system in a garage, addition, basement, attic, or any other space not connected to your ducted HVAC system.
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How Does Residential Ductless Differ from Commercial HVAC?
Residential and commercial ductless systems heat and cool your space. Both options allow you to set up a variety of zones that are controlled by individual thermostats, which improves efficiency while making the space more comfortable for occupants. However, residential systems tend to be smaller, more affordable, and less complicated than commercial systems.
Ductless Energy Savings
Ductless systems heat homes more efficiently than ducted heating and cooling systems and are more efficient than most electric resistance heating systems. Unfortunately, warm or cold air seeps out of ductwork before it reaches its destination. Because most ductwork runs through unused areas such as attics or ceiling cavities, that energy gets wasted. Ductless heating and cooling systems move heat rather than creating it, which adds to their efficiency. Most units feature an Energy Star rating, indicating their efficiency levels.
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Other Benefits of Ductless for Homeowners
In addition to improving efficiency and comfort for homeowners, ductless systems offer a host of other advantages. They are ideal for additions and other areas of your home that do not have ductwork. Each zone features individual controls, so you don’t have to heat and cool unused spaces. You can even set different temperatures for different areas of your home. The outdoor units are small, so they don’t interfere with your curb appeal, and the indoor AC units come in a range of designs to complement your space. These systems run very quietly and improve indoor air quality.
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Residential Ductless Heating
Ductless systems feature a heat pump which extracts warmth from outside the home and moves it inside using a refrigerant. The refrigerant runs from the outdoor compressor to the indoor air handling units. In the past, this set-up worked best in temperate climates, but contemporary ductless systems use technology that is efficient even in frigid climates.
The Mitsubishi Hyper-Heating heat pump, for example, functions in temperatures as low at -13 degrees. Ductless systems are often used as the sole heating method in a home, or you can augment your current heating system with a residential ductless unit. To improve efficiency, even more, you can power your ductless system with solar energy.
Residential Ductless Cooling
Ductless cooling systems also utilize heat pumps, but they work in the reverse direction. Rather than moving warm air from outdoors to indoors, these systems remove warm air from inside the home and send it outside. Ductless systems are more convenient than window air conditioners and have advantages over central cooling. They are ideal for homes that have heating but no air conditioning.
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Cost of Residential Ductless
Like all heating and cooling systems, residential ductless systems are an investment in your home. The cost varies depending on the number of indoor units and other features you select for your system. While assessing the cost of a ductless system, keep in mind the long-term energy savings associated with these units. Note that in many cases, you can reduce your costs even further thanks to rebates and low-interest financing options.
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Choosing a Ductless System for Your Home
The right ductless system for your home varies based on your needs. In some cases, you may want a system that heats and cools your entire home; in others, you may only want to heat or cool a small part of your home. To match the style and decor of your home, you can also choose from wall or floor mounted units, ceiling cassettes, or suspended indoor air handling units. On top of that, you need to consider ventilation and humidity controls, brands, and Energy Star ratings.
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Getting Your Home’s Ductless System Installed
To install a ductless system, your contractor needs to put in the outdoor and indoor units and connect them with flexible tubing and electrical wires that run between the units, through a conduit. An experienced HVAC professional can guide you toward the right size unit for your space and identify the most advantageous locations for your indoor air handling units. This process is a lot less invasive than putting in ductwork, and most residential installations can be completed in just a day.
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Residential Ductless HVAC Maintenance
Maintenance is critical if you want to safeguard the lifespan and efficiency of your ductless HVAC system. Luckily, residential ductless systems don’t need much maintenance. Clean your filter regularly, keep the outdoor unit clear of debris, and empty your condensate pan as needed.
Additionally, keep an eye out for issues that may compromise the efficiency of your unit. An HVAC contractor needs to service your ductless system once a year. They can perform more advanced cleaning and maintenance steps. They can also alert you to the need for any repairs, which helps you avoid unexpected breakdowns and emergencies.
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Can You Install Your Own Ductless System?
Because ductless HVAC systems seem relatively easy to install, some homeowners want to install their systems instead of hiring an HVAC contractor. It’s important to not approach installation as a DIY project – not only could you get hurt, but you could also end up costing yourself more money in the long run. Instead, you should always work with a professional. They have the experience to deal with unexpected installation issues, and they can ensure your system is installed correctly so that your efficiency is not compromised. Most contractors can also guide you through the process of applying for rebates.
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Ready to upgrade to a ductless heating and cooling system for your home? Want to learn more about the benefits of these systems and get help deciding if a ductless unit is right for your needs? Then, contact us today. At N.E.T.R., Inc., we work closely with our clients to ensure we meet their heating and cooling needs in the best way possible. We have been working with both residential and commercial clients for years, and we look forward to helping you.
